Overview

If you you haven’t checked out the Safety Program Overview, you should probably go check that out now.

If you have already checked out the overview and are looking for more information on recognitions for Circus Arts Programs, then you’ve come to the right place. ACE is currently offering three recognitions for Circus Arts Programs; you’ll find the details, process and fees below.

All of the actual application materials are downloadable .pdf’s that you will fill out in your own time; it is recommended to read through the processes below, but if you’re looking for the forms and guidelines themselves, they can be found HERE. Once you submit your application, you will receive instructions on how and where to submit payment.

Policies & Practices

Fees: $80 application fee, $20 annual renewal (click to pay via Amilia)
Process:

1. Self-assessment based on ACE’s guidelines
   Any interested studio must review the Policies & Practices section of ACE’s Circus Arts Program guidelines and complete a self assessment form with their application. The studio owners/managers should have made a good-faith effort at meeting the guidelines prior to sending in the written application.
2. Written application.
   Fill out and send in the General Application form and complete the checklist of required additional materials, which are different for each of the three recognitions. For Policies & Practices, this includes copies of many different types of inspection logs, as well as copies of all studio staff and student policies. If the application is complete and all the information is present, the program can move to the next step.
3. Telephone consultations
   An ACE safety consultant will be assigned and will schedule and conduct a phone interview (or series of interviews) to review the submitted materials. Through the process of this conversation the safety consultant and the program representative will identify areas of strength and areas of concern and arrive together at ideas of acceptable solutions.
4. Recognition
   In the final step the program receives ACE recognition. ACE will publish this information and add the program to the list of recognized programs, and the program will be provided with the seals and advertising and allowed to publicly display their new status.

Get started: Policies & Practices

Staff & Curriculum

Fees: $120 application fee, $20 annual renewal (click to pay via Amilia)
Process:

1. Self-assessment based on ACE’s guidelines
   Any interested studio must review the Staff & Curriculum section of ACE’s Circus Arts Program guidelines and complete a self assessment form with their application. The studio owners/managers should have made a good-faith effort at meeting the guidelines prior to sending in the written application.
2. Written application
   Fill out and send in the General Application form and complete the checklist of required additional materials, which are different for each of the three recognitions. For the Staff & Curriculum recognition, this includes forms that select teachers will have to fill out, as well as some information forms that you will have to give out to students of your choice. If the application is complete and all the information is present, the program can move to the next step.
3. Telephone consultations
   An ACE safety consultant will be assigned and will schedule and conduct a phone interview (or series of interviews) to review the submitted materials. This will include interviews with staff members and students. Through the process of this conversation the safety consultant and the program representative will identify areas of strength and areas of concern and arrive together at ideas of acceptable solutions.
4. Recognition
   In the final step the program receives ACE recognition. ACE will publish this information and add the program to the list of recognized programs, and the program will be provided with the seals and advertising and allowed to publicly display their new status.

Get started: Staff & Curriculum

Facilities & Operations

Fees:$250 application fee, $20 annually for 6 years, then reapply. This recognition requires an on-site visit; the housing and lodging costs of the ACE Safety Consultant must be covered entirely by the studio, and are not included in the application fee. Every attempt will be made to find a nearby Safety Consultant, but in order to avoid conflicts of interest a certain distance is called for.
Process:

1. Self-assessment based on ACE’s guidelines
   Any interested studio must review the Facilities & Operations section of ACE’s Circus Arts Program guidelines and complete a self assessment form with their application. The studio owners/managers should have made a good-faith effort at meeting the guidelines prior to sending in the written application.
2. Written application.
   Fill out and send in the General Application form and complete the checklist of required additional materials. For Facilities & Operations, this includes pictures of the space and the rigging, as well as documents or descriptions of the process of assessment and installation of any aerial equipment. If your studio does not have aerial equipment or rigging, this recognition still requires a site visit, but you may ignore the aerial-specific requirements. If the application is complete and all the information is present, the program can move to the next step.
3. Telephone interview
   An ACE safety consultant will be assigned and will schedule and conduct a phone interview (or series of interviews) to review the submitted materials. Through the process of this conversation the safety consultant and the program representative will identify areas of strength and areas of concern and arrive together at ideas of acceptable solutions. The goal of this step is to ensure that the program is as prepared as possible for the in-person visit; the safety consultant and the program representative will work together and when everything appears in order and any necessary changes have been instituted the program can proceed to the next step.
4. In-person visit
   The ACE safety consultant will visit the applicant’s facility for a minimum of 8 hours. It is important that this visit be scheduled carefully so that all necessary staff including the program representative is available to the consultant and so that the consultant can see the program “in-action” (i.e. when actual classes are happening). During the visit, the consultant will ask further questions, conduct interviews with staff, observe practices and offer further suggestions for improvement if needed. It is up to the discretion of the consultant if the changes that need to be made warrant another visit (this is unlikely and should be avoided and planned for with the written/telephone consults) or if any small changes can be documented and sent along without the need for a return.
5. Recognition
   In the final step the program receives ACE recognition. ACE will publish this information and add the program to the list of recognized programs, and the program will be provided with the seals and advertising and allowed to publicly display their new status.

Get started: Facilities & Operations

 

Renewals

At the close of each consultation, the ACE Safety Consultant and the program will agree upon a few annual goals. The renewal process each year is essentially just a simple form documenting whether these goals have been reached, setting forward propositions for the following years goals, and documenting any other changes.

Both the Policies & Practices and Staff & Curriculum recognitions will remain current so long as the member maintains their membership dues and renewals, barring any deviations, reports or findings that the program is no longer meeting ACE’s guidelines.

The Facilities & Operations recognition lasts 6 years barring any major changes, at which point another site visit will be required.

All renewal forms are will be available on the download page, but every participant in the program is responsible for renewing their recognitions. No notices will be sent at this time.

Discounts & payment plans

In order to make the program more accessible, ACE is pleased to offer discounts as well as payment plan options.

Discounts

There is a 5% reduction in the application fees if you apply for two recognitions simultaneously.

There is a 10% reduction in application fees if you apply for all three.

These discounts do not apply to renewal fees.

Payment plans
Payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis. Email safety@americancircuseducators if you are interested in setting up a payment plan.

Grievance Policy

If in the process of applying for or obtaining recognition, any program feels they have been treated with unfair bias by their assigned Safety Consultant they may seek to have a new safety consultant assigned to them. No more than two consultants will be assigned to any program, and the application fee is non-refundable.