The Circus Space Creation Studio Bursaries:-

2002 2003

Professional Development Centre Pilot Phase

The Circus Space Creation Studio Bursaries
2002

The Circus Space announces the winners of its 2002 Creation Studio bursaries, a UK-wide initiative designed to enable professional circus performers to experiment and work towards devising new work - with an emphasis on the process rather than realising a finished show. This is the first of three years of these bursaries which are funded by The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

Eight bursaries have been awarded - 5 at £1,000 and three at £500 - to both emerging and established circus artists. An additional three awards - 1 at £1,000 and 2 at £500 - were also made through funding received from UBS Warburg.

The winners of the awards funded by The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation are:

£1,000 Bursaries
Emma Insley to experiment with a four person swinging triple-trapeze bar routine;
Lila Lifely & Alison Bullock to create a new aerial act based on 'Trolley Dollies';
Mark Morreau to experiment with 3D animation and circus;
Amber Noble & Gemma Mawson towards a new acrobalance routine;
Steve Rawlings to experiment with rhythms within different juggling
patterns.

£500 Bursaries
Girisho Gordon to create and explore the potential of new aerial equipment;
Andrea Gaechter to create new equipment and experiment with aerial work - see picture on right for result;
Sam Hague & Stewart Pemberton to create new equipment and work towards a juggling act;

The winners of the awards funded by UBS Warburg are:-

£1,000 Bursaries
Lucie Pasquier to create new aerial equipment and experiment with it;

£500 Bursaries
Max Haverkamp & Annette Fiaschi to explore new Acrobalance routine;
Ajay Chhabra to develop tumbling within an Asian circus group.

Charlie Holland, Programme Director at The Circus Space, said, "These awards, which are supplemented by other Circus Space resources, offer a real opportunity for circus artists to explore new territory which we are confident will lead to a higher standard of performance in the future. I am delighted that out of a total of 26 applications we have been able to support almost half and the three-year funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation means that we will be able to offer a similar scheme next year."

Summary of Professional Development Centre Pilot Phase 2000/2001

Between September 2000 and March 2001 The Circus Space piloted a range of activities for professional circus performers and companies, which were supported by the London Development Agency's Skills Development Fund.

The programme of activity provided support to individual performers and small companies at all stages of the creative process, giving them the freedom to excel through exploration, innovation and skills development. As well as supporting the development of individuals and the creation of new work, the programme offered advice on self-employment and setting up companies, working with agents and promoters, contracts and marketing.

The project offered the following strands of support:

Specialist Training:
Performers were given the opportunity to undertake specialist one-to-one training in their chosen discipline with an experienced teacher, trainer or director. In most cases the training was offered by existing Circus Space teachers, although there was a degree of flexibility to enable beneficiaries to bring in teachers of their own choice. In each case the beneficiary and teacher agreed clear objectives that related to the performer's professional development needs. The funding received enabled The Circus Space to offer these sessions at a subsidised rate.

Research and Development:
Six awards between £1,500 and £3,000 were made to enable performers and companies to research and develop ideas for new work, with an emphasis on process rather than realising a finished show. The support also included access to space, specialist equipment and technical support.

Commissions:
Six companies were commissioned to create and showcase new work at The Circus Space's festival in April 2001. The commissions ranged from £2,000 to £5,000 and were supported by access to space, equipment and technical resources and expertise.

Teacher Training:
Several initiatives were offered to meet a range of teaching levels. These included planning and delivering training sessions; health and safety and risk assessments; Pilates, Feldenkrais, Aikido and Yoga. Circus Space teachers also had the opportunity to develop their skills in a specific area of work and eight circus teachers were enrolled on the British Gymnastics Level 4 coaching qualification.

Business Support:
Two one-day courses were run covering business advice covering self-employment, establishing companies, touring, licensing, product development, marketing and promotion and sources of funding. Information Centre A huge amount of progress was made in acquiring books and videos, and in cataloguing them. In particular performers are now able to undertake a computer search for specific disciplines and find a brief description of any routines we have plus which tape they're on and where.

Masterclasses:
A total of 80 masterclasses from international performers were offered during the seven months across a range of disciplines including banquine, balancing, high bar, handstand, Russian bar, trampoline, German Wheel, swinging trapeze, tight wire and clown.