Community
Knowledge, exchange, network
With its diverse range of offers for professional circus artists, Zirkusquartier is also committed to strengthening the network and exchange between professionals and sharing knowledge.
Zirkusquartier runs a newsletter just for professionals and the Circ-Exchange and Production-Café formats specifically for this purpose.
Circ-Exchange
Circ-Exchange is a networking format with workshops and discussions for circus professionals. The aim is to create a space where artists from all over Switzerland can exchange ideas and get to know each other, where they can move together, share experiences and get to the bottom of important questions: What are the needs in the scene? How can the contemporary circus community in Switzerland be strengthened? How can the exchange of circus professionals be further promoted?
In 2025, Circ-Exchange will consist of three meetings for professional circus artists focusing on the topics of collective work, diffusion and promotion, each with input from experts. The format will also go on tour at cirqu’Aarau with a workshop on pitching for international programmers and a partner acrobatics workshop.
Circ-Exchange is funded by m2act.
Circ-Exchange Week
The first Circ-Exchange Week took place in 2024. During Circ-Exchange Week, circus professionals spend a week at Zirkusquartier exchanging ideas, networking and working practically on their projects.
In 2025, the focus of the week is on fair practice in the field of contemporary circus. The week will be hosted by Luisa Schmitz and Caro Wuttke, with daily workshops by experts on the topic of fair practice. The week is open to all circus practitioners who want to learn more about fair practice and reflect on their own practice.
The Circ-Exchange Week will take place from November 16 – 22, 2025.
Circ-Exchange is funded by m2act.
Productions-Café
Would you like to set up your own production? We will help you complete your dossier and provide answers to questions about production, scheduling, sponsors, etc. You can also find more detailed information about residencies, rehearsal and performance opportunities at Zirkusquartier.
The next Production Café will take place on November 26, 2025.
The Production Café is a collaboration with artFAQ, the production platform for dance, theater and performance in the Zurich region. artFAQ offers free advice for companies and artists. You can find the entire offer here.
Professional newsletter
In our professional newsletter we inform you about important workshops, events, meetings and current circus activities throughout Switzerland (maximum once a month).
Profi-chat
There is now a group chat via the messenger provider Signal for exchanges and short-term information in the professional community around Zirkusquartier.
Information and organizations
Here you will find a collection of associations, organizations and production offers where you can obtain further information and/or organize yourself. We try to make as much information as possible accessible here and thus strengthen the network in the circus scene. Do you have an addition to this list? Then write to us here.
Directory
Swiss Circus and Street Art Directory
Associations
Pro Cirque (Switzerland)
Association for circus creation in Switzerland – cultural policy, circus & street art directory, newsletter, Nuit du Cirque Switzerland
FARS (Switzerland)
Association for Street Art in Switzerland – Cultural Policy, Circus & Street Art Directory
t.point (Switzerland)
Association for Swiss theater professionals – cultural policy, salary calculator, information on social insurance and more
Federal Association for Contemporary Circus in Germany – Cultural Policy, Pitching Sessions, Links & Resources
Production
artFAQ Zurich
Consulting, courses, events and co-working for production
KulturHub Basel
Advice and events
Bern Compass Cultural Office
Free advice for cultural practitioners in all fields
Kulturbureau Biel
Advice, networking and workshops
Bureau des Compagnies Geneva
Advice on production
ProductionDOCK
Production guide, M2Act
Social security & justice
Art & Care
Network of artists on the topic of care in art – events and networking
To be or not to be
Advice on social insurance and pensions for cultural professionals
Fairspec
Initiative to establish ethical guidelines and working methods in the independent scene – events, workshops, networking
WITH CARE. Toolkit
Booklet with instructions and suggestions for transforming production methods, funding structures and performance venues to break down barriers for people with care responsibilities
Artists Take Action
Guide to social security for cultural professionals
Reboot: Cirque & Transmission
Research and reflection project on power relations, violence and stereotypes in circus: thematic reflections, practical tools and useful resources in words and images.
Feminist initiatives
Female Act
Initiative for Equality and Diversity in the Performing Arts – Statistics, Networking, Care Work Calculator
Le Carnet Rose
Booklet on Equality in the Arts
Réseau Feministe Circassiennes
Feminist network for circus professionals
Initiative Feminist Circus (Germany)
Feminist network for circus professionals in Germany