Congrats to the February #AYCOPhotoContest winner Kirkos from Circus Up’s community troupe! Kirkos was so excited to perform in Commonwealth Circus Center’s student show! Thank you to Tess Scheflan for capturing this moment. Kirkos is continuing to work hard, stay curious about each other’s differences, and celebrate each other’s unique strengths.
AYCO Monthly Newsletter
AYCO Youth Membership costs $35 per year and is for anyone 21 and under and college students who are passionate about circus arts. This is your chance to plug into the national circus community, network and show off your circus pride.
Membership benefits include:
Surprise swag mailed to your door three times a year Eligibility to perform in AYCO event showcases Discounts on events and merchandise Monthly email AYCOgram newsletter filled with circus opportunities, news, and videos just for you! Want to join? Grab an adult and click the button below!
ACE Discussion Series 2022
The American Circus Educators Association is excited to present a bimonthly online discussion series for continuing education and professional development for circus educators. Each session is based on a particular topic and facilitated by a community expert in that topic!
Attendance is FREE to current ACE/AYCO members. Non-members pay a small sliding-scale fee, $5-20. Space per session is limited.
Sessions are one hour long, every other month on the second Tuesday, at 12pm Eastern Time/11am Central Time/10am Mountain Time/9am Pacific Time. The sessions are not recorded, in order to create a space where attendees are comfortable participating fully in discussion – though some of the facilitator’s introduction may be recorded and made available to registrants after the session. Check out the upcoming events below!
Tuesday March 8th, 2022: Legal Obligations & Preventative Practices – AbuseAll instructors, studio owners, and circus community leaders have a duty to prevent and respond to abuse. This session will summarize federal and state laws related to reporting, prevention, and response to abuse, and raise best practices to consider. Q&A and discussion opportunities will allow all attendees to get community and expert input on the most critical aspects of our jobs and identify the growth opportunities in your abuse prevention and risk management practices.
Tuesday May 10th, 2022: Supporting Students with Anxiety and PanicThis discussion will start with an expanded excerpt from the longer training “Unafraid – Mental Health Tools for Circus Communities”. We will discuss elements of anxiety and panic as adaptive traits, and what happens when they become overwhelming or disordered in circus students. Participants will leave with concrete tools for supporting their students who experience anxiety and panic, as well as tools they can use to soothe and ground themselves as needed.
The Circus Project is a non-profit circus school located in Portland, Oregon dedicated to transforming lives through the circus arts. They offer camps, classes, and workshops in a variety of disciplines for all ages and levels, as well as intensive circus training companies for youth and pre-professional adults. The Circus Project also maintains thriving community partnerships, a robust scholarship program, and strives to infuse all programming with a commitment to equity and access. The Circus Project is also dedicated to supporting artistic development through training memberships, performance opportunities and artist residencies.
“Our experience with the entire process of ACE Safety Program certification was truly valuable to our development as a growing circus academy. We at The Circus Project are honored to be recognized as an ACE approved facility.” -Kari Hunter, The Circus Project
New Circademic Research Survey Needs Volunteers
Are you an adult recreational aerial arts student?Your help is needed for an academic study to explore injury rates and types.
This is a volunteer study for a graduate student project consisting of an online survey taken once a month for four consecutive months that should take less than an hour of your time. All data is anonymous and this project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Concordia University St. Paul.
The goal of the study is to establish injury rates and generate data that could be used to improve access to aerial arts along with the potential to improve safety for recreational classes.
Open to persons who are 18 years old or above, taking aerial arts classes with an instructor, are not seeking to become a professional in the next year or have not been a professional for at least a year.
The 2022 Cirques Experience is hosting the annual March Weekend. Held in the north side of Chicago, Wheel Weekend is a great opportunity to expand circus artists’ skills and knowledge in the world of wheel.
There are several workshops including Cyr wheel, Gym Wheel, Judging, Coaching and More! Whether the focus is performance, competition, physical fitness, or merely FUN, all are welcome! Whether a beginner or a professional this is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills.
When: March 18, 8:00AM – March 20, 5:00PM
Where: 5944 N. Magnolia Ave | Chicago, IL, 60660 | USA
More information can be found below as well as registration for Wheel Weekend.
At Smirkus Camp, kids develop new ways to challenge themselves, learn skills like teamwork and problem solving, get terrific physical conditioning, and enjoy fun summer camp traditions like singalongs, costume themed dinners, kickball, and more!
Tickets are on sale now for the Circus Spectacular, NECCA’s dazzling fundraising show starring guest artists from circuses around the world! This is a unique opportunity to see some of today’s most renowned high flying aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers in Brattleboro, VT on the Latchis Theater stage, and a live stream option if you prefer to watch from the comfort of your own home. Don’t miss an evening of incredible, world class entertainment for the entire family!
WHEN: Sat, March 5 at 7:30 pm (in person & streamed live) and Sun, March 6 at 1:00 pm (in person only)
WHERE: Online and at The Latchis Theater 50 Main St. Brattleboro, VT 05301
COST: $15-50 (all sales benefit NECCA’s scholarships and programming)
In our youth camps for ages 3-17, your child will receive top-notch instruction in a noncompetitive environment. They’ll get a sense of pride and increased confidence as they learn communication skills, perseverance, and self-determination, as well as how to be a spectacular acrobat, aerialist, juggler, or clown.
We honor the traditions of the circus by including activities to develop creative and performance skills, share the history of circus while passing along fun circus traditions.
Students will work in groups by age and ability for the best learning experience. We work with the energy of our youngest students by including separate art activities and quiet time suited to their learning needs. Sign up for 1, 2, or 3+ days – each day will include a new and fun experience for each student.
WHEN: February 21 – 25, 2022 from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Full-Day Camp Schedule: * 8:00am–8:30am: Drop off at NECCA * 8:30am–10:00am: Rotating activities including trapeze, fabric, lyra, juggling, mini-tramp, balancing, stilting, clowning, and acrobatics * 10:00am–10:15am: snack * 10:15am–12:00pm: Rotating activities including trapeze, fabric, lyra, juggling, mini trap, balancing, stilting, clowning & acrobatics * 12:00pm: Pick up
Game of the Month: Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better – Conditioning!
Materials Needed: Just a partner!
How to Play: In partners, person A chooses an exercise, like squats, and performs one squat. Then your partner has to do two squats. Back to person A for turn, do three squats. Continue alternating 10 turns. Next time, let person B choose an exercise, like pushups, and start the challenge.
Variations: Play each round until one person can’t continue. Try in groups of three. Play with more people too, and have each person take turns doing the same amount of reps (everyone does one squat, everyone does two squats, etc.).
CSAW Microgrants for US Circus Artists of Color
CSAW – Connection Circus Students Around the World met their fundraising goal for the second year in a row and it means that they can provide another year of Microgrants! To be eligible to apply for a CSAW Microgrant for US Circus Artists of Color you must identify as a person of color who is a citizen, resident alien, or permanent resident of the United States looking to further their education in circus and/or fund their circus related projects and needs. All applicants must be 14 years or older to apply for and receive a Microgrant. Applications are open from the 1st-15th of every month. For more information click here.
Discounts for AYCO/ACE Members
Want to get discounts with these awesome Circus vendors? Discounts are just another awesome perk of being an ACE member. Become a member today!
AYCO News Article Submission
Interested in including your news or events relevant to the national circus community in AYCO/ACE’s newsletters? Send your submissions to communications@americanyouthcircus.org by the 2nd Friday of the month to be included in our monthly newsletter. Submissions should be no longer than 150 words, written in the third person, and include appropriate links and contact information if relevant. We cannot include PDFs or images, but we can link to them. Please also indicate if you would like your submission included in the AYCOgram (directed towards youth), ACE News (directed towards organizations and educators), or both.
Congrats to the January #AYCOPhotoContest winner, Evangeline of @one.tent.away
Evangeline is 8 years old and has been practicing circus since she was 4. She says, “Circus is good for you because it helps you be healthy, strong, creative, and brave!” The skills she has learned from circus have helped her overcome many obstacles, most notably her struggles with anxiety. So, we say it again: Circus is good for you!
AYCO Monthly Newsletter
AYCO Youth Membership costs $35 per year and is for anyone 21 and under and college students who are passionate about circus arts. This is your chance to plug into the national circus community, network and show off your circus pride.
Membership benefits include:
Surprise swag mailed to your door three times a year
Eligibility to perform in AYCO event showcases
Discounts on events and merchandise
Monthly email AYCOgram newsletter filled with circus opportunities, news, and videos just for you!
Want to join? Grab an adult and click the button below!
A New Year often means change. And we’ve had quite a few here at ACE/AYCO HQ. One of those changes is actually a person! 🙃 Meet Ashley! She has stepped up as our new Communications Coordinator, and we are thrilled to have her on our team. Our previous champion of communications, Rainie, has moved on to even better things!
In this entry of the Circus is My Life blog, Stacy sits down with Amy Christian, Co-Founder of Wise Fool New Mexico, and Shayna Swanson, Founder of the Aloft circus studio in Chicago, to compare and discuss non-profit and for-profit circus studios.
Did you know Elsie Smith is one of the founding members of the Safety Program and an active Safety Program Committee Member?!? She got into circus safety because she felt a commitment to developing safer aerial teachers and to giving people the tools to become more effective members of the circus educator community. Elsie and her twin sister founded Nimble Arts.
Nimble Arts (a recognized member of the Safety Program) offers a variety of creative performance options for outdoor and indoor entertainment – community event, fundraiser, private party, corporate celebration or theater shows. Nimble Arts also shares art through workshops for teachers and practitioners, and builds select equipment. Nimble Arts is hosting our week-long workshop Intro to Teaching Aerials at NECCA in Vermont Feb 19-23 – don’t miss it!!! To find out more, visit https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/intro-to-teaching-aerials/
Rigging and Risk Management for Aerial Acrobatics, Circus and Dance: Aerial Rigging Basics Workshop
This two part workshop, taught by Jonathan Deull, is hands-on and will focus on the principles and practices of rigging and risk management for circus, acrobatic, and aerial dance performance. It is suitable for riggers, performers, coaches, studio/facility/theatre managers, and others involved in executing or overseeing aerial performance. Topics range from dynamic loads and forces to inspection and retirement protocols to rigging math and more!
Jonathan Deull is an industry professional with over a decade of experience. He is certified through the Entertainment Technician Certified Program (ETCP), and is an ETCP Recognized Trainer. As a Safety Committee Member for the American Circus Educators Association, he helps lead the effort to develop safety and risk management guidelines and protocols for circus performance training programs and facilities.
The Circus Spectacular is a dazzling fundraising show starring guest artists from circuses around the world! This is a unique opportunity to see some of today’s most renowned high flying aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers in Brattleboro, VT on the Latchis Theater stage. An evening of incredible, world class entertainment for the entire family with a live stream option if you prefer to watch from the comfort of your own home.
When: 7:30 pm, Saturday, March 5, 2022 (in person & streamed live) and 1:00 pm, Sunday, March 6, 2022 (in person only)
Where: Online and at The Latchis Theater 50 Main St. Brattleboro, VT 05301
Cost: $15-50 (all sales benefit NECCA’s scholarships and programming)
CIFF premiered in 2021, founded and directed by Marisa Diamond (AYCO/ACE Board member), with the support of Festival Assistant Emily Fulton (AYCO HUP Squad member), Festival Communications Director Jonathan Meehan (formerly with Cirque du Soleil), and esteemed international jurors and sponsors.
Circus Smirkus Camp Registration is OPEN!
At Smirkus Camp, kids develop new ways to challenge themselves, learn skills like teamwork and problem solving, get terrific physical conditioning, and enjoy fun summer camp traditions like singalongs, costume themed dinners, kickball, and more!
The 2022 Cirques Experience is hosting the annual March Weekend. Held in the north side of Chicago, Wheel Weekend is a great opportunity to expand circus artists’ skills and knowledge in the world of wheel.
There are several workshops including Cyr wheel, Gym Wheel, Judging, Coaching and More! Whether the focus is performance, competition, physical fitness, or merely FUN, all are welcome! Whether a beginner or a professional this is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills.
When: March 18, 8:00AM – March 20, 5:00PM
Where: 5944 N. Magnolia Ave | Chicago, IL, 60660 | USA
More information can be found below as well as registration for Wheel Weekend.
This 5 minute game is a great way to have fun and encourage focus!
Materials Needed: One peacock feather for each participant
How to play: Have participants line up on one side of an empty space. Indicate where the start and end lines are. Pass out feathers reminding participants to take care of the materials, themselves and each other. Have participants place the feathers on their foreheads. Countdown “3, 2, 1… Go!”
Variations: Rhinoceros race (off nose) and flamingo race (on flat palm), add obstacles like a wedge mat, rola bola, or a specific travel pattern. Can also be done individually while others in the group watch and cheer!
Tip: Practice feather balancing first on different body parts.
Circus Up Community Troupe
This month, the Circus Up community troupe, KIRKOS will be sporting around their new sweatshirts (and logos) designed by Haus of Jules Design . It is cold here in Boston, and there are no shows due to this damn pandemic, but we are determined to celebrate and play how we can!
CSAW Microgrants for US Circus Artists of Color
CSAW – Connection Circus Students Around the World met their fundraising goal for the second year in a row and it means that they can provide another year of Microgrants! To be eligible to apply for a CSAW Microgrant for US Circus Artists of Color you must identify as a person of color who is a citizen, resident alien, or permanent resident of the United States looking to further their education in circus and/or fund their circus related projects and needs. All applicants must be 14 years or older to apply for and receive a Microgrant. Applications are open from the 1st-15th of every month. For more information click here.
Discounts for AYCO/ACE Members
Want to get discounts with these awesome Circus vendors? Discounts are just another awesome perk of being an AYCO member. Become a member today!
AYCO News Article Submission
Interested in including your news or events relevant to the national circus community in AYCO/ACE’s newsletters? Send your submissions to communications@americanyouthcircus.org by the 2nd Friday of the month to be included in our monthly newsletter. Submissions should be no longer than 150 words, written in the third person, and include appropriate links and contact information if relevant. We cannot include PDFs or images, but we can link to them. Please also indicate if you would like your submission included in the AYCOgram (directed towards youth), ACE News (directed towards organizations and educators), or both.
