Community
Knowledge, exchange, network
With its diverse range of offerings for professional circus artists, the Zirkusquartier is also committed to strengthening the network and exchange among professionals and to sharing knowledge.
To this end, the Zirkusquartier publishes a newsletter exclusively for professionals and organizes the Circ-Exchange and Production-Café events .
Circ-Exchange
Circ-Exchange is a networking event featuring workshops and discussions for circus professionals. The goal is to create a space where artists from all over Switzerland can exchange ideas and get to know one another—a place where they can move together, share experiences, and explore important questions: What are the needs of the scene? How can the contemporary circus community in Switzerland be strengthened? How can collaboration among circus professionals be further encouraged?
Three Circ-Exchanges take place every year, each on a specific topic with input from an expert followed by a discussion. If you would like to suggest a topic for Circ-Exchange, please contact us here.
Upcoming dates for Circ-Exchange:
Practice Sharing
Practice Sharing for Professional Circus and Physical Theater Artists
As part of Circ-Exchange we want to create a space to share and learn from each other. Do you have a practice you’d like to share? Do you want to try out a new workshop format, present research material or a work-in-progress and maybe get some feedback from your peers? Join to share your ideas or come by as a participant and audience member – or both!
The idea is to create an intimate space where physical practices are exchanged, where we experiment together and profit from each other’s knowledge and experience. The space is specifically for trying things out and sharing without pressure. Luisa and Caro will hold the space and be there to coordinate.
If you want to share something, send a message to circ-exchange@zirkusquartier.ch, letting us know which date you’d like to share and how much time you’ll need. The practice sharing takes place in the training space without technical support.
Dates:
18. August 10:00 – 12:00
8. September 10:00 – 12:00
17. November 10:00 – 12:00
8. December 10:00 – 12:00
If you want to participate in the workshop formats or be an audience member, just come by and spread the word!
Payment: 5 CHF (twint or cash like profi training)
This amount covers the costs for space and heating of ZQ
Circ-Exchange Week
The first Circ-Exchange Week took place in 2024. During Circ-Exchange Week, circus professionals spend a week at the Zirkusquartier exchanging ideas, networking, and working hands-on on their projects. The week is hosted by Luisa Schmitz and Caro Wuttke, with daily workshops led by experts. The week is open to circus artists at the beginning of their careers to help them get started in professional practice.
The Circ-Exchange Week will take place from October 26 to November 01, 2026. The application form will open in September and all information will be published here.
Productions-Café
Want to get your own production off the ground? We’ll help you put together your proposal and answer questions about production, scheduling, funding, and more. You’ll also find more detailed information here about residencies, rehearsal spaces, and performance opportunities at the Zirkusquartier.
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
For discussions and last-minute updates within the professional community related to the Zirkusquartier, there is a group chat on the messaging app Signal.
Information and organizations
Here you’ll find a collection of associations, organizations, and production opportunities where you can learn more and/or get involved. We strive to make as much information as possible available here and thereby strengthen the network within the circus community. Do you have anything to add to this list? If so, please write to us here.
Directory
Swiss Circus and Street Art Directory
Associations
Pro Cirque (Switzerland)
Association for Circus Arts in Switzerland – Cultural Policy, Directory of Circus & Street Arts, Newsletter, Nuit du Cirque Switzerland
FARS (Switzerland)
Association for Street Art in Switzerland – Cultural Policy, Directory of Circus & Street Art
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
A research and reflection project on power dynamics, violence, and stereotypes in the 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
Circassian Feminist Network
Feminist Network for Circus Professionals
Feminist Circus Initiative (Germany)
Feminist Network for Circus Professionals in Germany