A free circus education conference will take place this month at the O’Donoghue Centre at University of Galway.
The two-day conference will explore the application of circus arts education at all levels to promote creativity, inclusion and social change.
Hosted by Galway Community Circus, University of Galway – Drama and Theatre Studies and the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network, the conference is aimed broadly at those already engaged in youth circus practice as well as participants with an interest in youth circus.
The conference, the first of its kind in Ireland, will feature practical workshops on pedagogic approaches to promoting inclusion and creativity and discussions across a range of topics.
It will also include the premiere performance of the Galway Community Circus Youth Ensemble.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone to the conference, hearing all the contributions and to plotting a way forward together towards the future recognition and growth of the value and important role that this inspiring sector can play in shaping the next generations,” said Lucy Medlycott, Director of the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network.
November also marks the beginning of Galway Community Circus’s residency at the University of Galway.
The Circus was awarded funding through the Arts Council of Ireland’s Young People, Children and Education Residency Scheme and will deliver teaching across three departments: Drama and Theatre Performance, Early Childhood Education and Children’s Studies.
“We’re thrilled to co-host a conference that is all about putting circus into education. Youth Circus is a powerful tool for social change,” said Ulla Hokkanen, Executive Creative Director at Galway Community Circus.
“We’re also delighted to be in residence at the University of Galway as it will allow us time and support to evaluate, codify and document our methodology.
“The residency also follows our 7-year research project called Circus++ which resulted in the creation of a curriculum for the world’s first degree-level course for youth and social circus teachers.”
The Circus Education: Creativity and Inclusion in Learning Conference will be held Friday, 18 and Saturday 19 November at the O’Donoghue Centre, University of Galway.
The conference is free of charge, but booking is essential here.
