Youth Circus

What is Youth Circus? Youth Circus is about providing opportunities for artistic, personal and social growth in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere.

At Galway Community Circus, Youth Circus refers to our membership-based circus arts education programmes for children and young people which focus on the artistic, social and personal development of participants. Delivered in an out-of-school setting, our youth circus programme consists of regular classes, performance opportunities, masterclasses, exchanges, camps and outings.

We offer classes for youth ages 5-25. Classes are held by age group. Classes typically run for 30 weeks throughout autumn and spring and participants learn a variety of circus skills in each class. For more information on specific classes, click the links below.

Flea Circus: Our Flea Circus introduces children aged 5 to 7 years to circus arts through a variety of fun games and activities. At this young age, the principles of teamwork, self-belief and understanding can have their foundations, paving the way for further development as they grow older.

Junior Circus: Our Junior Circus classes are designed for young people aged 8 to 11 years. We engage in the various disciplines of circus, including aerial, manipulation, balance, acrobatics, clowning, as well as stage presence.

Tweenies Circus: Tweenies Circus classes are designed for young people aged 12 to 14 years. Classes offer the participants a chance to learn a wide variety of circus skills and focus on their favourite ones. The areas of circus we work on are equilibristic/balancing, juggling, manipulation, aerial, acrobatics and clowning as well as stage presence.

Senior Circus: Our Senior Circus classes are designed for young people aged 15 to 17 years. Classes offer the participants a chance to learn a wide variety of circus skills and focus on their favourite ones. The areas of circus we work on are equilibristics/balancing, juggling, manipulation, aerial, acrobatics and clowning as well as stage presence.

Pierrot Circus: Pierrot Circus is designed for young people aged 18 to 25 years. Our young adults, the Pierrot group meet twice a week and devise their own learning according to their interest in the circus, supported by one of our artists in residence.

Youth Aerial: Youth Aerial is designed for young people aged 8 to 17. Participants gain practice in trapeze, aerial rope, aerial hoop, cocoon, tissue and harness work.

For the 2021/2022 Youth Circus Programme, Autumn term is September 20-December 18 (with one week off for mid-term break.) Spring term is January 17th - June 11th (with one week off for mid-term break and two weeks Easter holidays). No class on bank holidays May 2nd and June 6th and on St. Patrick's day Thursday, March 17th.

We also offer Toddler Circus, for ages 1-4 years with an accompanying adult, and Family Circus, suitable for ages 4+, with siblings ages 1-3 years. Toddler and Family Circus classes run for 12 weeks.

For registration prices and fees, click the button below.

Read our anti-bullying code here.

Our annual Youth Circus programme is supported by Galway City Council.