Research: Developing Community Circus in Aotearoa NZ

Developing Community Circus in Aotearoa New Zealand - 8 documents published and available online

What is community circus, who is it for, what comes out of it and how can it be developed? These questions were the focus of a research project conducted from 2011 to 2013. Funded by the Lotteries Community Sector Research Fund, the project was a partnership between Circus Kumarani in Dargaville (www.circuskumarani.co.nz) and Auckland based researcher Rachael Trotman, with assistance from Alex Woodley (www.pointresearch.co.nz).

Research project team members Frances Kelliher and Thomas Hinz who founded both Kumarani and the new Circability Trust in Auckland will present the evaluation techniques used at an International Seminar of Social Circus Evaluation in Finland in December 2013.

The research used five interrelated research methods.
• A nationwide online survey of community circus related organisations and individuals.
• An international literature review.
• Stakeholder interviews with 17 key players nationally and internationally.
• A workshop with 30 practitioners at the Auckland Circus Convention.

Four case study evaluations of disability, school, preschool and high achiever projects in Auckland and Dargaville.
Circus skills generally fall into five categories: Acrobatics, Aerial arts, Equilibristics , Object manipulation and Drama. What distinguishes community circus from other forms of circus is its participatory nature, it is open and accessible to all, it connects people from all backgrounds and abilities, it provides community and personal benefits, and it engages those on the margins and provides an alternative to traditional sports and art forms.

The research reveals that in the right hands, community circus is a powerful vehicle for personal and social development. The key benefits identified were in it being open to all, inclusive and bonding, supporting personal growth and development, social learning, community building and social change.
It can change attitudes towards disability, steer kids away from trouble, build minds and bodies and much more – it can hold something for everyone.

Community circus in New Zealand involves a handful of charitable organisations, individuals and small groups undertaking activity in pockets of the country. Key perceived strengths are the quality, passion and commitment of the people involved, its potential, its developing national network, its open and inclusive nature and its grass roots, community focus.

Quantifying the impact of community circus can be a challenge, as it can be hard to gauge before and after effects. Evaluations tend to be qualitative and to focus on the experiences of participants of community circus and/or the views of community circus providers and practitioners.

Two key strategies proposed to support the development of community circus in New Zealand are to support gifted people and existing organisations to excel and to develop infrastructure to support circus activity from local to national levels.

All reports can be viewed online at www.communitycircus.co.nz and www.circuskumarani.co.nz.

ENDS

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