CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR THE CIRCUS SECTOR IN FRANCE: POLICY BRIEF

As part of its CS Voices project (2024–2028), funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Culture, Circostrada, the European network for circus and street arts coordinated by ARTCENA, is publishing a series of policy briefs on national dynamics for the international community.This publication is part of a series of notes designed to inform the network's strategic thinking, share analysis at the European level and propose policy recommendations. It was written in consultation with several major players in the sector: circusnext, the French Federation of Circus Schools, Territoires de cirque and the Syndicat des cirques et compagnies de création.

Four major challenges have been identified: The economic fragility of companies, exacerbated by rising costs, declining public subsidies, fewer co-productions and shrinking tours.

• The difficulties of staging shows in big tops, which face economic and ecological constraints while playing an essential role in providing access to culture.
• The fragmentation of training courses for artists and teachers, requiring greater professional recognition.
• European cooperation, which is essential for enhancing the visibility and mobility of works, but is still under-exploited by the French sector.
• In light of these findings, the note presents three objectives: to collectively identify the challenges facing the circus sector in France, to formulate policy recommendations to strengthen its structure, and to feed into the European dialogue by sharing practices and perspectives. For more information, read the full note and all the recommendations.

Download the French version here.