N.I.C.E- Network of International Circus Exchange

Project Active - Started 06/10/2005

About NICE…

The first Network of International Circus Exchange took place in Berlin in 2005 and has continued as a vital forum for youth circus practitioners from across Europe to connect and share practice.

EYCO emerged as an organisation from NICE meetings. In 2009 it was decided there was a need for a formal structure to support youth circus activities on a European level, including NICE meetings, and EYCO was born. Since then, NICE events have continued to be an important event in the European youth circus calendar.

Future NICE Events

NICE 2025- Welcome to the west coast of Ireland!

This year’s NICE event is hosted by Galway Community Circus with support from Erasmus+ youth accreditation

Theme

The theme of this year’s NICE event is ‘Designing Circus Futures’. Through the theme we will look at what next for youth circus? The past 10 years have been challenging; financially, politically, socially… What role can youth circus play within this new landscape?

The theme will run alongside our Erasmus + accreditation objectives which are 

  • Youth participation & Leadership
  • Social Inclusion 
  • Cultural exchange

Speakers/Workshop Leaders

To help us navigate the theme, we are delighted to be welcoming our friends from Ecole National du Cirque Montreal’s research department HUPR (formally CRITAC). Confirmed so far:

Dean Kriellaars- Research Centre Scientific Director at HUPR, internationally renowned expert on Physical Literacy

Emmanuel Bochud- some of you may remember as Manu- former Director of Cirque du Monde, now Director of Development and Innovation at HUPR

Facilitator- Pete Duncan

Programme

Confirmed programme will be publicised at the end of February, but sessions suggested so far are

  • Quality Movement Experiences (HUPR)
  • Confidence by Design (HUPR)
  • Creativity
  • Performances with young people. Reducing social inhibition. Co-creation- what are good practices? (HUPR)
  • Inclusive movement experience- barriers to movement
  • Durability by design- growing stamina
  • What is Physical Literacy?
  • Circus in Schools
  • Youth Accreditation and the Quality Label- how to apply

Schedule.

Thursday 15th May

Arrival day

6.30 Welcome event at Portershed, Galway

Friday 16th  Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th May

9.00-9.30 Coffee & Registration

9.30-17.00 NICE meeting at O’Donohue Centre

Monday 19th May

Leaving Day 

How can you take part?

Applications are through national umbrella organisations. Each EYCO partner will have the opportunity to send up to four representatives; national umbrellas will be responsible for publicising and recruiting for the event. Find your representative here

Past NICE Events

Downloadable – Lapeenranta, Finland June 2022
Downloadable – Gschwend, Germany October 2016
Downloadable – Cardiff, Wales October 2014
Downloadable – Aarhus, Denmark October 2013
Downloadable – Liempde, Netherlands October 2012
Downloadable – Berlin, Germany November 2011
Downloadable – London, England November 2009
Downloadable – Amsterdam, Netherlands October 2008
Downloadable – Tampere, Finland October 2007
Downloadable – Paris, France October 2006
Downloadable – Berlin, Germany June 2005