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