2010 / 2011 Projects

Women’s Circus Outreach Program

Founded in 1991, the Women’s Circus is a community arts organisation in West Footscray that runs regular circus, physical theatre and music classes for its members, with around 14 classes / week.

Through these classes, participants develop fitness, confidence, increased self esteem and become stronger both inside and out!

Vision

• To empower and inspire through participation in contemporary circus

Mission

• Create and deliver a high standard of innovative and socially challenging circus programs and performances
• Maintain and develop a vibrant and sustainable ongoing Women’s Circus community
• Provide an opportunity for participants to build self esteem and reaffirm control over their bodies in a safe and non-competitive environment

As an extension of its regular classes, the Women’s Circus also offers runs one-off workshops and long-term programs with schools, community organisations and different workplaces through its Outreach program.

Our Outreach Program offers people of all ages, fitness, shapes and sizes

the chance to “run away with the circus”

While all workshops focus on having fun, learning new skills, physical confidence and responsible risk-taking, building trust, co-operation in pairs and small groups, and challenging gender stereotypes, we realise that different groups have different needs and tailor workshops accordingly.

Workshops can take place in our training space at West Footscray, at your space or elsewhere.

Schools

Women’s Circus delivers workshops with primary, high school, special needs and at-risk students. Schools we have worked with include Footscray Primary School, Rosamond Secondary College, Gilmore Girls, Thornbury High School, Caroline Chisolm High School, Sacred Heart School, and Northland Secondary College.

Community Groups and Organisations

We have delivered workshop programs with a range of diverse groups, communitites and organisations that include Homeground, Child Protection Society, Youth Substance Abuse Service, CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assult), Orgyen Youth Health, Spectrum, Eating Disorder Unit, Yarraville Community Centre, Maribrynong City Council.

Workplaces

The Women’s Circus is approached by a wide range of Organisations and Businesses to develop and deliver Professional Development and Team-building Programs.

The Circus workshps are based on a model of cooperation, non-competition and fun. This produces a number of positive key outcomes and measurable benefits for the organisations and participants involved.

Festivals

Women’s Circus participates in festivals in a workshop and performance capacity, and has appeared at Midsumma Festival, Big West Festival, Melbourne Comedy Festival @ the Famous Spegiel Tent, Adelaide Festival, Pride March, Moonee Valley and Laverton Festivals.

Forums

Women’s Circus has spoken about our work at various forums, conferences and events such as Feminist Futures Conference, Reconnexion’s Annual National Anxiety and Depression Conference, Kengsington Women’s Group International Women’s Day Celebration, Preventing Violence Against Women community conference, UNESCO conference. Our presentations often include performance and workshop elements.