In this Issue of ACE News:
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Click to go directly to section news!
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Want to stay connected, engaged, and in the know in the circus world? Become an ACE member today! ACE memberships are available for circus educators and organizations. Our most popular member benefits include content management system discounts for organizations, insurance connections, eligibility to attend national events, and discounts on regional events. Click the button below for more information and to join!
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A week later and we’re still on a circus high from EdCon! It was such a circtacular weekend full of incredible and memorable experiences. We are thankful for everyone that came out to learn, grow and connect at #EdCon2022 and even more excited that we were able to do this again in person to really reconnect with our circus family.
We want to recognize and send a super circus sized thank you to an amazing team that made this Circtacular event happen. Shouting out:
- EdCon 2022 Staff: Winnie Hsia, Ginger Snaps and Copper Santiago
- ACE/AYCO team: Audrey, Ashley and Tara, plus our committee members and board members
- Work study volunteers
- All of the instructors and staff at @skycandyaustin
- And of course the presenters and attendees that filled the studio and our hearts!
Thank you and we can’t wait to see you at the next EdCon!
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Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 19th – Giving Tuesday! Look out for our Facebook fundraiser and contribute to help us meet our goal and unlock a matching donation! Circus arts education promotes healthy mental, physical, and emotional youth development. AYCO/ACE helps make this work possible by providing vital community networking, discussions, and events for circus educators as well as important resources and support for circus schools and organizations!
This year during Giving Tuesday we’ll also be thinking about everything we’re grateful for – help us to spread the appreciation vibes!
- Step One: Tag someone in your circus community that you’re grateful for!
- Step Two: Use the hashtag #CircusGratitude
- Step Three (optional): Donate to our fundraiser – we’ll be extra grateful
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In 2022, AYCO/ACE set out to conduct a survey of U.S. circus educators for the fourth time in its history. The purpose of the survey is to gather information on the sector and its scale to advocate on behalf of circus educators.
In 2022, ACE/AYCO partnered with the American Circus Alliance (ACA) to expand the survey to include individual circus workers and circus production companies. Additional questions were also added to capture information from individual instructors and coaches. This report will focus primarily on circus education organizations, but where applicable, we have included information from the ACA report.
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Order Your ACE Games Book!
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We have updated the ACE Games Book! New games! Old games! So many games! With over 100 games for use in cooperative movement based settings, this is a must have for every circus school, teaching artist, and arts education program! Each game includes age, number of participants, and a number of tags including ice breaker, non-contact, and include special notes for working with a variety of populations that may require adaptation or modifications to each game.
You can purchase directly from the AYCO/ACE store, on Amazon (print and eBook available), or as an eBook from a variety of vendors! Don’t miss your chance to have this great teaching tool!
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Missed out on getting your ACE Circus swag at EdCon and suffering from a little FOMO? Not to worry, you can get your ACE gear from our online store. PS they also make great holiday gifts for your favorite circus instructor or student!
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Join us Thursday November 10th at 12pm EST or the next ACE discussion. We’ll be discussing Opening and Closing Routines for Inclusive Circus Practice with Cornell Freeney. As a group, we will explore the meaning of inclusion and its importance. This session will also explore current opening and closing routines and accommodations to make them inclusive for circus practice.
Cornell Freeney is the Founder and Director of the Unity Circus Project. At the age of 12, Cornell was in search of a positive outlet and was pointed in the direction of a social circus by the name of CircEsteem. From 2002 – 2008, he grew up in the organization. After graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in Elementary Education and touring as a professional acrobat, Cornell acted as the Head Coach and Program Coordinator for CircEsteem.
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2022 Social Circus Connection Calls!
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Join us for our next Social Circus Connection call, Tuesday, December 13th at 9am PST / 10am MST / 11am CST / 12pm EST. Just a reminder, each individual will need to register. Calls are *free* to ACE members | $0-10 for non-members
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Frequent Flyers® Aerial Dance is Hiring
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“Circus Center, the oldest and largest circus training and performing arts center on the West Coast, is on the lookout for talented professionals to teach in our youth and adult training programs. Currently, we are seeking instructors in the following skills:
• Flying Trapeze, (line-pullers and catchers)
• Upper-level contortion
• Straps
• Silks
• Upper-level Handstand
Consider joining our team! More information may be found on our Careers Website. If interested, please fill out our Instructor Employment Application here.”
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Spend a few days completely absorbed in your favorite circus discipline and take home skills that will keep you busy long after the workshop ends. Find info on all Immersions here: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/training/workshops/
* Nov. 18-19, Dec. 10 | Flying Trapeze Workshops
* Oct. 22-23 | Aerial Rigging Basics Workshop
* Oct. 24-25 | Advanced Rigging Topics Workshop
* Nov. 5-6 | Lyra Immersion
* Nov. 11-13 | Straps Immersion
* Nov. 18-20 | Hand Balancing Immersion
* Nov. 18-20 | Vertical Dance Immersion
* Nov. 26-27 | Russian Bar Immersion
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Frequent Flyers® Aerial Dance Professional Training Program
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Now accepting applications for our August 2023 – May 2024 program! Jumpstart your aerial career with 9 months of professional training in beautiful Boulder, Colorado.
Early Decision Application Deadline: February 1, 2023. Learn More & Apply Here
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Quat Props Online Functional Juggling Teacher Training Seminar
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The last online certification courses of the Quat Props functional juggling teacher training seminar for 2022 will take place this Oct. 23 – Nov. 20. Courses are available in either English or Spanish.
Participants of this course should expect to gain a stronger understanding of the sensory elements most responsible for stimulating the experience of juggling and how we can better apply them as a creative source of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical forms of intervention.
Dates: 10/23, 10/31, 11/6, 11/13, and 11/20
Schedule:
- English Session – Sundays from 19:00-21:30 (CET) or 14:00-15:30 (EST)
- Sesiones en Español – Domingos de 15:00-17:00 (CET) or 10:00-11:30 (EST)
Pricing:
- Early bird Registration = €85 (before October 1st)
- Standard = €100 (after October 1st))
Register/Inscripción: visit www.quatprops.net
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Aerial Straps 40-hour Online Teacher and Performer Training
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Register for L1 Aerial Straps 40-hour Online Teacher and Performer Training – coming Fall 2022
Created and produced by Aaron Koz, and co-taught by Max March-Steinman, founder of CircSci, the Level 1 Straps Teacher Training draws on over 10 years of aerial and movement instruction in the field. Key information will be shared via lectures, group discussion, and practical application. Concepts addressed include: lesson and curriculum development, skills, spotting techniques, safety, anatomy, injury prevention, creativity, progression, grip strength training, dynamic and strength technique, and teaching tips. Register here!
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Paper Doll Militia Upcoming Remote Teacher Trainings
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This 50 hour Remote Teacher Training Course is a comprehensive and fully interactive training that you can do in your local studio or on your approved home rigging. It includes independent study, group instruction & personalized feedback as well as lifetime access to over 200 recorded reference videos and other course materials. There are 3 weekly zoom classes delivered in multiple time zones over the 4 week program.
Upcoming Trainings:
Level 2 Silks, Trapeze or Lyra
- Dates: Oct 29 – Nov 26th, 2022
Level 1 Silks, Rope, Trapeze or Lyra
- Dates: February 18th – March 18th, 2023
Registration opens December 5th, 2022
Register by December 11th, 2022 for Early Bird Discount ($100 off)
Visit the WEBSITE for more information.
Email Paper Doll Militia at teachertraining@paperdollmilitia.com with any questions
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Circus Arts Institute Trainings
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Bungee Fit Teacher Training
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Sky Candy is holding Bungee Teaching Training in March 2023. Want to check out what this new fitness trend is all about before committing to the full teacher training? You can try out bungee for yourself and learn the fundamentals of teaching bungee as an apparatus at the EdCon session, Bungee Basics: Low Impact High Fun New Fitness Trend hosted by Amy Myers and Winnie Hsia that was just added to the schedule for Sunday, October 9th at 10:45am.
Check out info on the teacher training here:
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=28231&stype=-110&sView=day&sLoc=0
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The mission of the ACE Safety program is to establish specific guidelines that will help promote, encourage and foster better safety and risk management practices as related to circus arts by creating a system that recognizes circus spaces that demonstrate a continued commitment to better safety practices as based on ACE’s guidelines.
The ACE Safety Program is a low cost consultation process with an industry expert to help your program or school better manage the inherent risks associated with circus arts.
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October Safety Spotlight: The Safety Guidelines
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Did you know: The Safety Program Guidelines are a public resource that describe in detail what ACE considers to be best practice for the management of risk in circus arts spaces and programs. The guidelines are reviewed bi-annually by the whole community and adjusted accordingly by the Safety Committee to keep them up to date as our industry continues to grow and change.
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Contribute to the 2022 CSAW Fundraiser
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The THIRD ANNUAL CSAW Fundraiser is Here! Can you help CSAW raise $25,000 to continue providing grants for US Circus Artists of Color?
This year CSAW is raising $25K in order to:
- Offer yet ANOTHER year of $1K microgrants to US Circus Artists of Color
- Continue to provide resources for circus artists around the world
- AND Ensure the sustainability of our organization by paying our staff for their work!
CSAW is a non-profit circus organization that works to increase accessibility of information and funding for circus artists of all backgrounds. By October 1st 2022, CSAW will have awarded $41,500 in grant funding to 30 different US Circus Artists of Color. Can you help them continue to provide these resources for BIPOC artists? CSAW is committed to continuing to take action against racism and they hope you will join them in these efforts.
CSAW will be raising $25,000 again this year to fund our Microgrant Program and to support more grant programming in 2023! All grant awardees are chosen by paid selection committees composed entirely of established circus artists of color.
To date, more than 250 U.S. circus artists of color have applied for CSAW grants. CSAW knows that these long-term, sustainable, programs are crucial to our community. They need your help to continue them. Donate and learn more at: https://igg.me/at/csawgrants2022
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NECCA VIRTUAL CIRCUS SHOW
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The New England Center for Circus Arts’ Virtual Alumni Showcase brings together dazzling performers gracing the cyber stage from across the globe for a high-flying online event featuring graduates of NECCA. The artists will live emcee each other’s pre-recorded circus acts sharing stories of their journey from NECCA to the world stage followed by a real time Q&A for direct audience interaction. Meet your favorite NECCA performers and raise funds for outreach and programing at NECCA.
WHEN: Sat, Nov. 12 at 7:00 pm EST
WHERE: Online
PRICING: $15 single viewer
| $25 multiple viewers on 1 device
| $50 Supporter Ticket (donations accepted)
BUY TICKETS: https://our.show/alumni2022
MORE INFO: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/alumni-showcase/
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VIVA 2023 Registration Open
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VIVA Fest is excited to announce that registration for the 2023 festival is now open! Early registrants will receive a free ticket to the World Circus Arts Championships, which will be held in conjunction with VIVA Fest. This is a great opportunity to see some of the world’s best circus performers compete, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this offer. Early registration ends November 30th, so don’t delay! Register today and join us for an unforgettable experience.
https://www.thevivafest.com
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Greater Bay Area Working Group on Circus Gathering
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Greater Bay Area | December 8-9, 2022
This gathering will be an opportunity for circus researchers in arts & sciences to share their work with fellow researchers and the circus community. It will include a series of events at different locations around the Greater Bay area. Thursday will start with research rounds at Stanford University (lunch included) with a Keynote presentation from Patrick Leroux of the Montreal Working Group on Circus and continue at Kinetic Arts Center with another research rounds targeted to the circus community. The day will conclude with attendance at “Dear San Francisco” by 7 Fingers at Club Fugazi. On Friday afternoon there will be a tour followed by the Winter Show at Circus Center in San Francisco.
For more details and to register for the event go to the Circus Arts Life & Sciences events page https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/site/events/
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The 10th Annual West Coast Aerial Arts Festival (WCAAF) is open for registration!
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The 10th Annual West Coast Aerial Arts Festival (WCAAF) is open for registration!
November 10 – 13, 2022
Aerial Dance Theater, Costa Mesa, California
Competition Dates: November 11 & 12, 2022
This aerial competition features categories ranging from 7-year-olds to seniors, novice to professional, various apparatuses, and group entries. Competitors receive participation medals, judges’ feedback, and swag bags. The premium competition package includes an audience ticket and free workshop taught by established educators. Top three winners receive cash prizes, a trophy or medal, social media exposure, and the opportunity to perform their winning piece in the award ceremony. Best of all, participants get to make new friends, choreograph pieces with fellow aerialists, and visit Southern California attractions like Disneyland and Hollywood!
Celebrating a decade of festivities, WCAAF provides community and competition that nurtures and inspires professional and non-professional aerialists. To learn more: www.westcoastaerialartsfestival.com. Early Bird rate ends August 1, 2022.
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CSAW Circus School Application Deadline Mastersheet
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Are You, Your Students or Your Kiddos Getting Ready to Audition for Circus Schools This Year? CSAW is Here to Help!
CSAW – Connecting Circus Students Around the World has released their 2022 Circus School Application Deadline Mastersheet! Click here: https://bit.ly/csawcircusschoolsheet
This spreadsheet includes:
• Circus schools
• Links to applications
• Application deadlines
• Audition dates
• The CSAW Ambassador for the school
• How to contact that ambassador!
• What is a CSAW Ambassador?
A CSAW Ambassador is a current student of their international circus school. They are here to support you through applying, auditioning and attending circus school. If you have a question about a school just send the Ambassador an email or a DM and get an honest answer from a student of that school asap!
There are currently 16 CSAW Ambassadors to help future circus generations. You can find all of the current CSAW Ambassadors by clicking here: https://www.csawcircus.org/ambassadors
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Calling All Health and Wellness Experts!
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The Health and Wellness Committee is looking for experienced volunteers to join their task forces. Joining a task force is a wonderful way for community members to get involved in creating safer and more welcoming environments in circus. Community members with expertise in health and wellness topics are encouraged to apply.
Led by a committee member or co-chair, each task force focuses on a variety of specialized health and wellness topics in the circus community. Topics range from sexual violence prevention/response and disordered eating, to concussion prevention/response and suicide prevention. Please note that time commitments for each task force may vary.
If you are interested in joining a Health and Wellness task force, please fill out the application here.
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Health and Wellness at EdCon2022
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The Health & Wellness Committee thanks the organizers, presenters, and participants of EdCon! This year’s sessions covered a number of health and wellness topics that were unintentionally interconnected.
Three researchers shared studies about injury in different contexts. All showed that SHOULDERS were the most injured and they discussed how a number of factors including anxiety and anxiety management were associated with injury. It was really cool that this session was followed by a practical session on circus strong shoulders and the next day, one on supporting students with anxiety and panic. In addition, there were sessions on facilitated stretching for performance and wellness, and lots of sessions sharing tips and resources for inclusive and accessible training for all bodies.
It’s exciting to see the variety of complementary expertise that we have in our community, to see the connections happening, and to see progress toward a vision for a better circus world!
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Game of the Month: Check out the ACE GAMES Book!
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If you like seeing the game of the month, then you’ll love the ACE Games Book! It’s packed with over 100 games for use in cooperative movement based settings, this is a must have for every circus school, teaching artist, and arts education program! (It also makes a great holiday gift – wink wink!)
Each game includes age, number of participants, and a number of tags including ice breaker, non-contact, and include special notes for working with a variety of populations that may require adaptation or modifications to each game.
You can purchase directly from the AYCO/ACE store, on Amazon (print and eBook available), or as aneBook from a variety of vendors! Don’t miss your chance to have this great teaching tool!
Got a game you’d love to share? Reply to this email and tell us about it!
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CSAW Microgrants for US Circus Artists of Color
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CSAW – Connection Circus Students Around the World met their fundraising goal for the second year in a row and it means that they can provide another year of Microgrants! To be eligible to apply for a CSAW Microgrant for US Circus Artists of Color you must identify as a person of color who is a citizen, resident alien, or permanent resident of the United States looking to further their education in circus and/or fund their circus related projects and needs. All applicants must be 14 years or older to apply for and receive a Microgrant. Applications are open from the 1st-15th of every month. For more information visit: https://www.csawcircus.org/financial-aid
Looking to contribute? Please consider supporting CSAW on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/csawcircus.org
Donations help:
- Provide another year of microgrants to U.S. circus artists of color in need of financial assistance for circus-related expenses
- Support U.S. circus artists of color further their education through our tuition grants
Expand CSAW’s impact on the circus community and create more programs to encourage participation in the circus arts
- Continue to pay CSAW’s administrative team for the work they do
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In Good Wealth: Grants for Black-Owned Businesses
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In Good Wealth nonprofit organization invests in Black-owned wellness and movement focused businesses to ignite generational wealth and equity in health. $1,500 grants are awarded on a rolling basis to early stage businesses. Circus is included as a wellness and movement field. To learn more and apply, click here.
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Discounts for AYCO/ACE Members
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Want to get discounts with these awesome Circus vendors? Discounts are just another awesome perk of being an ACE member. Become a member today!
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Like discounts like this? The more our members use them, the more leverage we have as an organization to encourage companies to provide discounts!
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ACE News Article Submission
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Interested in including your news or events relevant to the national circus community in AYCO/ACE’s newsletters? Send your submissions to communications@americanyouthcircus.org by the 2nd Friday of the month to be included in our monthly newsletter. Submissions should be no longer than 150 words, written in the third person, and include appropriate links and contact information if relevant. We cannot include PDFs or images, but we can link to them. Please also indicate if you would like your submission included in the AYCOgram (directed towards youth), ACE News (directed towards organizations and educators), or both.
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Thank you to our Gold Members!
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We Are The American Circus Educators Association!
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