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Fidget Feet performing over Two Mile Lake, in County Clare
Photo: Bryan Donaldson
Jaimie Carswell and Nancy Trotter Landry perform “The Horse of Spain” in Cirque de Légume
Photo: Colin Gillen
Performers Annique van Niekerk, Brian Walsh, Saar Rombout, Abby Evans, Erin Hermosa at Lir Academy by Emily Aoibheann
Photo: Simon Lazewski
BassAlto artists Suzon Gheur, Louise Mercadier, Carlotta Risitano, and Klara Sköldulf Philipp performing at Galway Community Circus' event LifeLine
Photo: Emilija Jefremova
Neuveuno Circo perform at Siamsa Tíre theatre, Tralee hosted by National Circus Festival Of Ireland
Photo: Abigail Denniston
Jenny Tufts performing on her invented apparatus, the 'infineight,' on the edge of Cullenamore Beach
Photo: Graeme Coughlan
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Circus attracts high audience numbers each year including many rural audiences and members of new communities.
The Arts Council offers a wide range of financial supports across artforms and arts practices, including circus.
Information and advice for circus artists seeking funding
Links to circus organisations funded by the Arts Council.
The findings of a research initiative focused on mapping the range, quality and needs of building-based infrastructures for circus in Ireland.
I am a professional circus artist. I would like to create a new piece of work to be presented to an audience. Can the Arts Council assist?
Do you only support professional practising artists?
I've been invited to showcase my work abroad? Can the Arts Council help?
View all questions
Circus Building Infrastructure(PDF, 11.9MB, 84 pages)
Circus, Street Arts and Spectacle Policy and Strategy 2018(PDF, 0.514 MB, 4 pages)
Making Great Art Work - Arts Council Strategy (2016–2025)(PDF, 3.29MB, 48 pages)
Framework for the welfare of animals presented in the arts(PDF, 0.37MB, 28 pages)
We talk with Circus artists who have been funded by the Arts Council
Darragh McLoughlin explains the impact of the Next Generation and Bursary awards on his practice
Aerial performer Elaine McCague explains the value of her Bursary award to her practice.
Irish circus artist Ronan Brady speaks about the value of his funding from the Arts Council for his practice.
Contact the members of our Circus department
087 185 6173
087 139 4611
087 687 8959