Circuscentrum undertakes a wide range of activities, from teacher training and information sessions on the Circus Decree, to preserving circus heritage and participating in international projects. We also produce Circusmagazine and organise pitch sessions for programmers. As a support centre for circus arts, we are here for everyone involved in the field. As a knowledge centre, we are driven by curiosity; as a platform, we believe in the power of exchange; and as an ambassador, we promote a deep appreciation for circus. We strive to achieve all of this through collaboration.

Circuscentrum is…

Innovative

Circuscentrum is unafraid to look to the future and break new ground. It also encourages the sector not to remain stagnant and to seek new perspectives. Like the circus sector itself, Circuscentrum is youthful. To effectively support a rapidly expanding sector, it is crucial to move in sync with its developments.

Accessible

Circuscentrum is closely connected to the industry and values personal contact. It strives to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome. Circuscentrum invests in reaching out to individuals from diverse backgrounds and does not discriminate.

Internationally oriented

The circus industry is inherently international in focus. Circuscentrum is dedicated to fostering a broader international framework to facilitate mutual cross-pollination.

Self-willed

Circus people embrace challenges and push boundaries. Circuscentrum celebrates the sector's unique character by developing its own surprising and innovative ideas.

Strategic objectives

Circuscentrum connects and inspires

Circuscentrum facilitates connections among actors and sub-sectors within the circus world. It also fosters connections between the circus sector and adjacent fields (such as culture, youth, and education), as well as with relevant stakeholders (including politics, media, research, and the public).

Circuscentrum supports, shapes and informs

Circuscentrum offers essential information tailored to the sector's needs, enhances training opportunities for individuals transitioning from circus practitioners to teachers or artists, and focuses on supporting specific target groups within the sector.

Circuscentrum maps out and develops

Circuscentrum promotes and advocates

Circuscentrum sets up actions that enhance the overall perception of circus in its diverse forms, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. It advocates for circus-friendly policies at local and national levels and fosters consultations within the circus community to tackle shared sector challenges.

Circuscentrum is impactful

Circuscentrum continues to develop as an effective organization with an eye for quality and professionalism at an administrative, financial, and human level.

Policy Plan

Here you can download Circuscentrum's policy plan for 2021-2025.

History

The Vlaams Centrum voor Circuskunsten vzw, known as Circuscentrum, was established in 2007 as part of Circusvlo. Since 2001, this vzw has served as the representative organization for various associations involved in amateur circus arts. Its primary focus was on the educational and artistic development of circus workshops and amateur circus as an art form.

With the transition from Circusvlo to the Circus Centre, its mission expanded significantly. While maintaining a strong focus on the leisure sector, the Centre also placed increased emphasis on the professional circus environment and the preservation of circus heritage. Existing structures, such as the documentation centre and various communication channels, adapted to support these new priorities.

In 2009, a five-year management agreement was established between the Flemish government and Circus Centre, providing an annual subsidy of 700,000 euros. This agreement was renewed in 2014 and remained effective until 2018. The transition to the new decree on 1st March 2019 marked the evolution of Circus Centre into a support centre. This shift aimed to refine its actions and objectives, emphasizing the promotion of quality within the circus sector in Flanders.

Governing Body and General Meeting

Governing Body

• Matthias Vermael
• André Demet
• Marc Jegers
• Bieke Vanlerberghe
• Yannick Geens
• Kathleen Keymeulen
• Anne Loeckx
• Inge Loodsteen (voorzitter)
• Bart Haes
• Karel Van Haesebrouck
• Ali Can Ünal
• Jakobe Geens

General Meeting

Leden bestuursorgaan + Mieke Gielen, Yilmaz Koçak, Freddy Vindevogel, Maarten Janssens, Xavier Depaepe, Frank De Jonckheere, Roland Vermeylen, Finn Van Houtte en Bob De Pourque.