Hello CaPT friends!

In this update: lots of exciting opportunities for training, funding, and creative development, along with TNA’s holiday closure dates.

As the year winds down, I’m popping into your inbox with our final bulletin of 2024. What a year it has been! Looking back, my personal highlights include heading to the National Circus Festival in Mullumbimby, seeing TNA’s Rigging Training Workshops come to fruition, and supporting the First Nations Circle gathering at Garambi Baanj over the Winter Solstice.

TNA’s funded CaPT programs come to a close this week, so we’re also bidding farewell to two incredible team members: Lauren Swain and Christian Schooneveldt-Reid. Lauren and Christian have been absolute powerhouses, contributing so much to the sector with their hard work, talent, and dedication.

The last two years have been full of big challenges and incredible achievements, and I’m feeling really proud of what the CaPT team has accomplished together. It’s been a pleasure and a joy to work alongside them, and they’ll be greatly missed.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited for new adventures. Charice Rust will continue with TNA, lending her brilliance to the team with casual admin support. Plus, we’ll be releasing some new resources, including:

• Reports on insurance and safety
• A national database of CaPT Riggers
• An incredible guide from the First Nations Circle about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the CaPT sector

Thank you for your kindness, connection and passion — it’s a privilege to work with such an extraordinary community.  Wishing you a restful break, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!

Warmly,  
Steph Speirs and the TNA Team

TNA News and Opportunities

Listen to Vision Australia’s ‘Behind the Scenes’
For December, the TNA member of the month is us! Chris visited TNA at the office to talk to the staff about our highlights for the year. CaPT staff Christian and Lauren talked about the Safe and Sustainable Rigging Program, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Circle that have now wrapped up. 

TNA’s New Ethics Framework
TNA has been thinking more about the uncertainty of our times, and the importance of making decisions that we can be proud of. This has led us to develop a guiding document that establishes a clear point of reference when making decisions across our organisation, whether big or small.

TNA’s Transition to More Ethical Banking
In 2023, TNA became part of the A Climate For Art coalition, and made the pledge to divest our finances from fossil-fuel supporting banks. We share our experiences on transitioning to more ethical banking.

Holiday Office Closure
The TNA office will be closed from Friday, December 20, 2024 to Monday, January 6, 2025. Our team will be trickling in in early January, so office hours may vary. See you in the New Year!

General News and Opportunities

Victoria

Victorian Circus and Physical Theatre WhatsApp group
Mitch Jones has set up a WhatsApp group for circus performers or circus arts workers based in Victoria. This informal network aims to help the sector organise and advocate for Victorian circus, as well as to ask for help from each other when needed. Sign up to the group via this form.

50 Perry Street Update
The EOI process of the two-stage procurement for the lease of 50 Perry Street has closed. Stage Two of the process is underway and progressing well. The outcomes of the procurement will be known in 2025.

18 Dec — Regional Arts Victoria Sector Survey
RAV is seeking regional creatives to fill in their Regional Creatives Sector Survey to hear what matters to those who are working in, and supporting creative practice in the regions. The survey only takes around 8 minutes to complete, and you might win a RAV Membership.

20 Dec — Export Market Development Grants closing
Tiers 1, 3 and representative bodies are open for applications for exporting your work overseas and will close at 5pm AEDT on 20 December 2024.

13 Jan — Women’s Circus is hiring
Women’s Circus are seeking their next Executive Director to lead and shape the organisation. Preferred start date February 2025. Find out more and apply via the Women’s Circus website.

31 Jan — Showcase Victoria 2025 EOIs and CaPT Venue Funding
The performing arts touring marketplace will be held on 20–21 May 2025, at The Round in Nunawading. EOIs for artists and producers to take part open in January.

Applications for the Showcase Victoria Circus and Physical Theatre Initiative Venue Funding Round will open in 2025. Read their information page for more information and keep an eye out for applications opening in the new year. 

03–14 Feb — Circus Oz February Skills Share Workshops
Circus Oz is running another two-week workshop in ensemble work, speciality skills, and performance. There is no cost involved, and during these weeks you’ll have access to the Circus Oz Training Space, with training in a variety of disciplines. Spaces are limited. Please submit an expression of interest – even if you can’t make all the dates. Applications close 12 Jan.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival – Family-Friendly Comedy EOIs
The festival programs a range of events aimed at young people and families, both within the festival and around the calendar year. EOIs are open for performers with comic material. It can be verbal, physical, or musical. It must work in indoor, outdoor, or street contexts. 

Circus Nexus Board EOI
Join the Board of Circus Nexus! Circus Nexus is seeking to appoint two new members to fill current vacancies. (No deadline)

National

Australian Circus Riggers Facebook group
Isaac Salter has created a new Facebook group for Australian Circus Riggers. Check out the group and join now. For connection and discussion with riggers all over Australia.

31 Dec — ACT Arts Peer Register submissions open (ACT)
artsACT engages members of the community to provide advice and assist in the assessment of funding applications. Panels are paid. Apply through artsACT online grants portal.

3 Jan — Circus Monoxide is hiring (NSW)
Circus Monoxide is looking for a Senior Aerialist trainer for 2025. Help shape the next generation of aerial artists in a dynamic and creative space. Email your CV & cover letter to cmadmin@circusmonoxide.com.au.

5 Jan — ROOKE Emerging Artist Program (TAS)
Supporting artists aged 16–26 through mentorship and coaching. This includes creating, rehearsing, and touring work. In-person in TAS and online. Financial support for travel and accommodation is available as part of the program.

10 Jan — Join the Corrugated Iron team (NT)
Corrugated Iron are looking for Teaching Artists, facilitators and creatives of ALL artforms to deliver their programs across the Northern Territory in 2025. They are also looking for young creatives looking to work in the arts while being mentored by experienced teaching artists and creatives. Applications are open for both programs, on Corrugated Iron’s website.

14 Jan — The Ian Potter Cultural Trust’s Emerging Artist Grants
Up to $15,000 to assist talented emerging and early-career artists. To take up professional development opportunities, usually overseas.

20 Jan — Arts QLD Organisations Fund 2026-2029 
Four-year funding for small-to-medium Queensland arts orgs. To support operations and programs. The minimum funding an org can request is $100,000 for four years.

Adelaide Fringe Festival Honey Pot 
Registrations are open for artists and producers to take part in the international marketplace in 2025, running alongside Fringe. Artists with work registered for Fringe can opt into Honey Pot at no extra cost. 

Cultural and Creative Industries Expert Register EOIs (TAS)
Arts Tasmania uses peer assessors to review applications for arts funding. Peers are paid for their time. Apply now to join the register as a peer. (No deadline)

ROOKE Board Recruitment
ROOKE are seeking enthusiastic and curious individuals to join their board and contribute to the strategic direction and consistent good governance of their company. (No deadline).

International

DFAT Australia Pavilion Expo 2025 Osaka EOIs
The Department of Foreign Affairs seeks EOIs from individuals and organisations interested in participating in the Australia Pavilion cultural program at Expo 2025 Osaka. The cultural program will feature Australian creative activities and performances. Conducted in and around the Australian pavilion for the Japanese public.

15 Dec — ‘Winter Circus’ 2025–26 Open Call
Seeking international circus artists to perform in ‘Winter Circus’. This is a show produced by Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth, in Helsinki, Finland.

15 Dec — CircusDance Festival: 360 Stage Open Call
­CircusDanceFestival in Cologne, Germany is seeking original short pieces from the circus and dance field for a 360° audience on an outdoor stage. Submit your best solo or duo work, in the air or on the floor, lasting up to fifteen minutes before December 15, 2024.

Jan 2025 — IN SITU Network Open Call
The In SITU Network in Europe will launch its four-year programme to identify and support 200 emerging artists creating in public space and non-conventional venues in Europe. The Open Call will be available starting from January 2025.

Sustainability Checklists for Projects
Culture Moves Europe has created two documents with lists of practical tips to encourage prospective applicants and grantees to adopt more sustainable practices in their mobility projects.

Worldwide: International Circus Jobs
Jump on the Stage Lync jobs board for open jobs and callouts from around the world.

 

A roll call of congratulations to individuals, companies and organisations who have had good news. 

• Congratulations to TNA’s 2024 NICA Observership recipient Luca Trimboli for graduating from NICA’s Bachelor of Circus Arts. Throughout 2024 Luca has attended and observed meetings of TNA’s CaPT Advisory Committee, gaining industry insight and making connections. We wish Luca, and all of the 2024 NICA graduating year, all the best for the future. 
• Announcing Jesse Holden as the recipient of TNA’s 2024 Graduate Award. This award is presented to a NICA student who is graduating from the Bachelor of Circus Arts and beginning their first year of professional practice. It includes free TNA memberships and mentorship from the TNA CaPT team. Congrats Jesse!
   

Support & Resources 

Support Act offers 12 free counselling sessions for people working across the arts, with dedicated helplines for First Nations, LGBTIQ+, sexual harassment/abuse, and arts managers. Access support for work and non-work issues, including specialised financial counselling. They are also teaming up with Creative Workplaces to offer a free wellbeing webinar next Tuesday 30 July.

TNA’s CaPT Resources include guides on Parenting in Circus, Contracts in Circus and Grants & Fundraising; CaPT-specific databases of companies, schools, producers & policies; and a compilation of CaPT-specific resources from across the world.

Auspicious Arts offers excellent resources including an arts funding calendar and useful tools and templates for finance and business in the arts.

TNA’s Resources has links to information and resources on Advocacy; Access & Equity; Sustainability; Fees, Rates & Working Conditions; Governance & Board; and Insurance.