​​Sustainability is central to our approach to artistic and cultural development, influencing every decision we make. We are committed to reducing our ecological footprint by emphasizing resource-efficient production methods, the use of sustainable materials, and the reduction of travel emissions through regional and digital collaborations. Our network will actively seeks to address and remedy the precarious and unsustainable organizational models that we are a part of, striving to foster more resilient and adaptive structures. Circus arts, with their unique capacity for innovation and flexibility, hold significant potential in addressing the global challenges we face today.
In this project, sustainability is not a mere buzzword but the fundamental issue we are tackling. We aim to develop and refine organizational models that are tailored to the inherent specificities of circus arts, ensuring that they are sustainable on environmental, economic, and social levels. Our discussions leading up to this grant application have emphasized the need for a cohesive set of Nordic-Baltic circus policies/guidelines. These policies/guidelines will address key areas such as sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, ecological ethics, and alternative funding models, while reflecting a shared identity that acknowledges both the commonalities and diversity within the region. Through these efforts, we aim to empower circus arts to contribute meaningfully to the ecological transition and to set a new standard for sustainability in cultural practice.

​​

Project activities​

The short-term network is structured around 4 modules, where each of them focuses on a diferent phase of organisational development. To see our field critically but with a look in the future, three of the 4 modules are assisted by a consulting company, which introduces different methodologies for different stages of organisational development.

​

Module 1 - Circus Realities

Here the project partners will meet for a workshop of analysing the current realities of circus industry in the region. By using the cartopology method, which blends cartography and antropology, they will create a preliminary map of each of the regions countries. By doing so they will evaluate strenghts, challenges, gaps and richness of their geographical space.

​

Module 2 - Circus Dreams

To overcome challenges of dreaming, in this module the partners will work with Foresight methodology - a currently popular tool from futurology practices applied to organisational development. A structured, multidisciplinary approach to exploring, anticipating, and shaping potential futures, moving beyond mere forecasting to manage uncertainty.

​

Module 3 - Circus Alliances

After mapping and dreaming, it will be time for using this information to build alliances. Together with external assitence, we will construct the possible futures of circus in Nordics and Baltics. By creating a strategic organisational development plan, we will build practical steps how to strenghten and support the circus industry, to build it as a sustainable ecosystem.

Module 4 - sharing and reporting

Although this is the intended closing of this project, in reality it's just a beginning. By sharing the findings and getting feedback from our partners and colleagues from the performing arts sector, we will actively disseminate the experience of applying these methods for strategic development of the industry.

​

Project partners

Cirkus Cirkör (SE), Cirkuscentrum (SE), Cirko (FI), Circus Dance Finland (FI), Bærum Kulturhus (NO), Hringleikur (IS), Arts Printing House (LT), DYNAMO (DK)​

​

Project coordinators

Project is coordinated by Circle of Arts (DK) in collaboration with BNCN.

​

Timeframe of activities

01.01.2026.-31.12.2026.

​

​

​

This project is supported by Nordic Culture Point - Short-term network funding