Hello CaPT friends!

Spring is here, and the circus sector is buzzing with momentum. There’s been thoughtful reflection on the work we’ve done, and exciting steps being taken toward what’s next. Whether you’re catching up on sector news or diving into fresh opportunities, there’s plenty to explore in this update.

In this update: a milestone report from TNA, the Circus Summit returns to NICA, and opportunities for CaPT artists and arts workers across the country.

Warmly,  
Steph Speirs and the TNA Team

TNA News and Opportunities

TNA CaPT Programs Evaluation Report
Across 2023 and 2024, TNA partnered with Creative Australia to deliver capacity building initiatives for the Victorian CaPT sector. We have published an evaluation report on what we delivered, and what we have learnt. 

General News and Opportunities

Victoria

26 Sep – Victorian CaPT Network get together
The Vic Circus Network is having a get together at Edinburgh Gardens –  a casual opportunity to catch up, reconnect and share some food. The gathering will be 12-3pm between the BBQ and skatepark. BYO snacks, drinks and picnic blankets!
This informal network, set up by Mitch Jones on WhatsApp, aims to help the sector organise and advocate for Victorian circus, and ask for help from each other when needed

Circus Centre Melbourne news
Circus Centre Melbourne opens on Monday, 13 October! They’ll be offering Open Training for circus professionals to train, connect, and develop their practice at Circus Centre Melbourne’s Hub. To access Open Training, you must complete an application and be approved in advance.  Explore programs, training hours, and space hire today on the new website. 

Circus.txt EOIs
A professional development for emerging performance writers to learn about reviewing circus performance during Melbourne Fringe 2025. The masterclass series features established writers and circus artists, including Richard Watts and Mitch Jones. Writers receive a $1,400 stipend. 

25–28 Sep – Melbourne Juggling Convention
Workshops and networking for jugglers. Tiered registration starting from $40. Checkout the workshop schedule. 

5 Oct – Women’s Circus is hiring
Come and join the team in Footscray as their new Marketing and Communications Manager. Women’s Circus is looking for a creative and strategic marketing and comms specialist to tell their stories, grow their audiences and strengthen their brand reputation.

5 Oct – Geelong Arts Centre Launchpad 2.0
Applications are now open for Geelong Arts Centre’s industry-leading Creative Engine program for 2026. The program includes $8,000 in cash support and more than $18,000 of in-kind rehearsal studio time, theatre access and mentorship support for each artist. Applications close 5pm Sunday 5 October.

8-10 Oct – NICA Australian Circus Summit
The full summit program is now live.  It covers circus and research, the current state of circus, and what’s next for the sector. It includes panel discussions on advocacy for circus in the arts sector; circus parenting; and circus insurance (with TNA’s own Steph Speirs moderating!). Tiered registrations from $100.

19 Oct – YIRRAMBOI 2027 Commission EOIs
Expressions of Interest for the YIRRAMBOI 2027 Commissions are now open for Victorian based Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, collectives & arts organisations. Selected artists will receive a commissioning fee of $17,000 for creative development and $17,000 for presentation, totalling $34,000. EOIs close midnight on Sunday 19 October.

19 Oct – Yarra City Council Grants 2026  
Between $4,000 and $40,000 for community-driven, multi-activity projects and longer-term/partnership-driven initiatives that promote access and equity, deliver local benefit, and enable participation.    

22 Oct – Arts Access Victoria Accessible Workplace Training
Do you want to make your arts practice more accessible? Join Arts Access Victoria for their next Workplace Training on Accessible Arts Practice. This is workplace training for teachers, arts workers, arts managers and facilitators in any art form and medium.

27 Oct – Darebin Arts Speakeasy Development Program
Applications are now open to develop and test new performance-based works at either Darebin Arts Centre or Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre in 2026. All Victorian-based artists and companies are encouraged to apply (though your collaborators may be based elsewhere), you do not have to be a Darebin resident. 

APAC and Spin Fest 2026 tickets are on sale now
Spin Circus Festival and the Australian Partner Acrobatics Convention consists of full days of workshops, shows, skills and community. 

National

Sept-Nov – Showcase Victoria CaPT Webinars
Showcase Victoria is delivering professional development sessions over September–November. 

• 28 Oct – Technical Management for Safe & Inclusive Contemporary Circus Touring. This session will explore safety, technical access, and inclusive design within CaPT, equipping participants with best practices for creating safe performance environments, navigating venue-specific technical requirements, and implementing accessible backstage operations. 
   
• 12 Nov – Shared Ground: Rethinking Residencies for Artists & Venues. This webinar explores different approaches to residency models and how venues and artists can develop future focussed creative programs that are mutually beneficial. 

25 Sept – Mindaroo Foundation Artist Fund (WA)
Artist Fund 2026 offers up to eight mid-career West Australian artists the chance to secure funding, push boundaries and create impactful art that resonates far beyond the studio. The Artist Fund will award six grants of $35,000 each, alongside up to two creative residencies at Forrest Hall in Perth. EOIs close 25 September.

29 & 30 Sept – Flying Fruit Fly Circus National Youth Circus Auditions (NSW)
Applications for 2026 enrolment are now open. FFFC seek energetic, creative, and curious young people who love to move — whether through dance, gymnastics, circus, or simply play. Auditions include circus workshops with trainers, and movement and performance tasks.

4 Oct – NORPA Physical Explorations of Sustained Defiance Workshop (NSW)
Free circus-based physical workshop in Lismore. On how defiance, resistance, care and support can be expressed through the body.

9 Oct – Regional Performing Arts grants (WA)
Funding to support the development of new performing arts work and touring of existing performing arts work in regional Western Australia. Made in WA and Playing WA rounds are open. 

Circus Arts Australia Training for Circus Coaches (NSW) 
Various training courses for circus coaches, including:

• 18 Oct – Trampoline coaching course. Learn to teach foundational trampoline skills, focusing on safety, group management, warm-ups, cool-downs, and supervising fundamental skills.
• 25 Oct – Aerial coaching course. It covers safety, spotting, conditioning, warm-ups, cool-downs, lesson planning, and leading aerial classes.
• 22 Nov – Coach-in-training course. Introduction to supervisory roles in Circus Arts, covering safety, group management, age-appropriate activities, warm-ups, cool-downs, and teaching fundamental skills and games.

20 Oct – Vulcana Open House Cabaret EOIs (QLD)
The annual Open House Cabaret helps young people share work to a friendly audience in a professional environment. Open House is for artists up to 20 years old and/or ensembles with at least one member below the age of 20. EOIs close October 20.

11 Nov – Creative Australia Creative Futures Fund
The aim of the Creative Futures Fund is to invest in the creation and sharing of Australian stories through exceptional creative projects across all artforms that can clearly demonstrate ambition, audience reach and impact. Supports artistic works that reach and engage large, new and/or diverse audiences. Between $150,000 and $250,000 for the creation and testing of new ideas and works. Between $250,000 and $1.5m for orgs to present their creative projects. Stage 1 applications are open.

17 Nov – Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowships (QLD)
Up to $10,000 for Brisbane early-career artists and arts workers to expand their careers in the arts and cultural sector. To support individual talented emerging and early-career Brisbane-based creatives grow their skills and practice to build their creative careers with a structured career and professional development opportunity.

APAM Registrations 
Registrations are opening soon for the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), to showcase Australian and New Zealand contemporary dance, theatre, experimental and emerging arts, nationally and internationally. PAC Australia has announced that its next gathering in Boorloo/Perth will be 23–27 February 2026.   

NSW Government’s Active and Creative Kids Vouchers 
The NSW has released vouchers to help families with eligible school-aged children pay for sport, creative or cultural activities. Vouchers can be used at many circus and dance schools – orgs can register to be a participating provider.   

International

30 Sept – Dynamo Workspace Residency in Denmark
Dynamo offer residencies during 2026 and 2027 dedicated to professional circus artists and companies working cross-aesthetically with circus and music. Selected artists receive: creation space, some travel reimbursement to Denmark, accommodation and some food. 

12 Oct – Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo call for applications
For full-length performances to present at HKPAX. Selected applicants receive basic technical support, promotional support, and a travel and accommodation allowance of $10,000 USD. Practitioners of all performing arts disciplines are welcome to apply.

24 Nov – CINARS Call for Applications for 2026
The call out for artists to be part of CINARS’ official programming for their 2026 conference are open and close 24 Nov.  Apply to present your work to programmers from around the world at The Montreal International Performing Arts Conference 2026.

Circostrada DIVE International Touring Toolkit
Guides to support contemporary circus artists and companies seeking to present their work internationally. The guides address key aspects of international touring like logistics, funding, and intercultural dialogue. Download the toolkit for touring in France, and the toolkit for touring in the UK.

 

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

Introducing Jian Nie as Flipside’s new Head of Circus
Jian brings over 20 years of international experience as both a world-class acrobat and a dedicated circus teacher. He shares Flipside’s belief that circus builds confidence, resilience, and creativity—and he’s eager to help shape programs that support both emerging professionals and new beginners.

Congratulations to Harley Mann for being awarded the Hutchinson Indigenous Fellowship and Residency at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). The Fellowship supports the artistic practice of Indigenous artists based in Victoria.

Shout out to Circus WA and YUCK Circus, who were both shortlisted for CircuitWest’s 2025 Producer of the Year award.