What Next for Circus Change Up?

The managed funds awarded by the Arts Council are coming to an end and it is deeply frustrating that we have been unable to set up a sector development network, especially as it is clear that the sector needs development now more than ever.

This year has been particularly difficult to set up a structure for Circus Change Up and to find a sustainable financial route forwards. This has been due to the return to capacity working for many organisations after the pandemic, the shifting cultural landscape and the cuts in funding.

However over this last year we have brought the sector together in working groups to pool ideas, we have paid freelancers to attend meetings, we have met with legal teams to look at consortium models, we have begun working with Equity and Circus Works to work on sexual harassment and bullying policies and provided places for 6 freelancers to take part in training with Safer Spaces. We have written funding bids and developed three potential structures for the future of Circus Change Up.

A full report has been completed documenting the journey for Change Up which can be read here

What is happening within the Sector?

Post NPO decisions, as of July 2023 there are already a lot of big bids in the pipeline to support the sector. Circus Change Up is in a position to be working with these different bids, sharing knowledge and developing strategy rather than creating a new organisation. The following is work/bids/plans that we are aware of but there may well be more.

• Resource Centre/Website

There is already so much happening with projects such as The Circus Village and Circus City festival as well as circus scratch nights and opportunities for R and D happening all over the country. Circus Change Up needs to bring these opportunities together in one place as well as having a centre for resources such as pro-forma contracts, risk assessments etc; this is something that Equity is also working on. A thorough consultation was carried out with the sector and a site map drawn up by Joshua Smith. NCCA have offered to hold the Resource Centre, although it could be linked to Equity as well as Circomedia and other training providers. With Josh’s permission the site map has been shared with NCCA.

• Touring

Circus City are seeding small commissions with a group of organisations inc. The Lowry, Worthing Theatres, Déda in Derby and Jacksons Lane for this year’s festival, with the potential of an international partner. This pilot project could potentially lead to a circus touring network to re- ignite mobility of circus work and put in a project bid to develop the ideas from the Touring Working Group and the learning from the pilot. The Touring Working Group have already developed a cohesive plan for a funding bid.

• Wellbeing

Circus Works and Change Up are working with Equity and Safer Spaces to look at bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace, to develop policies and a framework for companies to sign up to. Lynn Carroll, Shaena Brandell and I with Equity on June 29th to advise them on standards for the sector. They will be putting together a set of standards for us to comment on – we will also be profiling companies with best practice.

• Showcasing and Creative Development

NCCA are looking in to developing their Lab-time ² project which could be rolled out in collaboration with partners around the country which could also hold a ‘CANVAS’ type of event. Could also feed into Touring strand. Needs to focus on diversity and representation

• Representation

Extraordinary Bodies are sharing their findings around Diverse Led Circus in early October and also looking at what a joined up strategy around talent development for disabled artists would look like for the next NPO round.

What Next?

Circus Change Up is a movement to make the sector better but it has to be a joint responsibility of the sector with different organisations/ artists leading on different areas of work. This would bring together the sector, encouraging collaboration and joined up strategy which would develop advocacy.

• Options for how Circus Change Up can continue

1. Circus Change Up is recognised as a movement which the sector buys in to and different companies or groups put in project funding that develops the sector but has joined up thinking. This would need to be supported by the Arts Council and have a producer to coordinate and support different bids, avoid duplication and encourage connection.

2. Circus Change Up formalises a consortium or partnership model between selected organisations and draws up letter of agreement. They would then be able to put in joint project bids focussing on priorities identified by working groups.

• Sector Conversation

In Collaboration with Circus City we are planning a Sector Development Day as part of the festival in Bristol, pencilled for Saturday October 21st. I have met with the Circus City Team to plan the day which would include opportunities for networking and speed dating between programmers, producers and artists. With a facilitated discussion how Circus Change Up moves forward. With the aim to identify a group of organisations and artists who could take the work forwards.

• Funding

It would be great not to rely on the Arts Council but realistically Circus Change Up needs funding to get it off the ground; to finance a producer and PR strategist who are able to coordinate activity, events, communication and work with organisations to put in place policies that can protect, safeguard and advocate for the sector. There also needs to be money made available for freelancers’ and small organisations’ involvement. This funding can either be raised through a single bid or through a network of bids from different organisations that have a shared vision of developing the sector.

• Recommendations for structure

  What ever project bids are written, they will need to demonstrate that this is what the sector needs and how it would strengthen the sector as well as outputs that reach the public.

  We need to demonstrate real joined up thinking and collaborative working for the Arts Council to take us seriously

  There would need to be a Circus Change Up specific producer who coordinates projects. This could be written in to one or more of the project bids.

  The circus sector is driven by freelancers who work in both contemporary and classical circus so Circus Change Up need to have freelancers at the core. Therefore Circus Change Up needs to be accountable to a steering group of freelancers and unfunded organisations who are also supported to initiate projects.

  The model of Working groups continues responding to needs and opportunities of the sector.

If you are interested in future conversations come along to the sector development day or contact info@circuschangeup.co.uk.