Circus

We invest in the development of both traditional and contemporary circus.

We provide opportunities for artists and organisations to develop high-quality performance and participatory work that audiences can access and enjoy, and champion the development of youth circus.

Aisling Ní Cheallaigh performing at Festival Iberoamericano de Circo (FIRCO). Photo: Gaby Merz.

How we develop circus

We offer a number of supports and resources to circus artists and organisations.

A new circus policy is in development and will be published in early 2025.

Learn more about how we develop circus

performers juggling white balls on a dark stage.

‘Sinergia 3.0’ performed by Neuveuno Circo at Siamsa Tíre. Hosted by National Circus Festival of Ireland. Photo: Abigail Denniston.

Publications

View the latest research and reports.

Latest funding opportunities for Circus

More Funding Opportunities

Individual

Applications open Closing: 24 Apr

Agility Award

The Agility Award supports individual professional artists and arts practitioners who have not been previously funded as an individual by the Arts Council. It focuses on enabling artists to develop their practice, develop their work and develop their skills.

Organisation

Opening soon Opening: 29 Apr

Festivals Investment Scheme – Round 1

The Festivals Investment Scheme supports small-to-mid-scale festivals to deliver high-quality arts experiences for audiences. It focuses on programmes engaged with, and relevant to, local communities or communities of interest.

Individual & Organisation

Applications open Closing: 8 May

Touring of Work Scheme 2026 – Round 1

The Touring of Work Scheme supports the touring of work across Ireland by individual artists and organisations. It focuses on making great art from different artforms available to more people throughout the country.

Individual

Opening soon Opening: 20 May

Circus Bursary Award – Round 2

The Bursary Award supports individual artists to develop their artistic practice. It focuses on providing artists with the time and resources they need to think, research, reflect, and deeply engage with their artistic practice.

Spotlights

Circus artists we have supported share how their funding made a difference to their artistic careers.

Darragh McLoughlin

Darragh McLaughlin is a conceptual artist with roots in contemporary circus. We talk to Darragh about the impact the Next Generation and Bursary awards have had on his practice.

A performer is caught in motion, they wear a dark costume and look at the viewer from behind a knotted tree.

Elaine McCague

Elaine McCague is a professional aerial performer and director of modern circus art at Loosysmokes. We talk to Elaine about the impact the Bursary Award has had on her practice.

Ronan Brady

Ronan Brady is an Irish circus artist, specialising in roue cyr. We talk to Ronan about the impact the Bursary Award has had on his practice.

Our Circus team

Laura Ivers

Head of Circus

Ciara Coyne

Circus Officer and Assistant

Adam O’Keefe

Circus Adviser

Get in touch

Contact our team with your questions about circus.

CSPS@artscouncil.ie
+353 1 6180245