Community
Knowledge, exchange, network
Alongside its diverse range of programmes and opportunities for professional circus artists, Zirkusquartier is committed to fostering exchange and collaboration within the professional community, strengthening networks, and facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise.
Specifically for this purpose, Zirkusquartier publishes a newsletter exclusively for professionals and runs the Circ-Exchange, Practice-Sharing, and Produktions-Café programs .
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 are held each year, each focusing on a specific topic with input from an expert, followed by a discussion. If you’d like to suggest a topic for a Circ-Exchange, please contact us here.
The next Circ-Exchange will take place on December 4, 2027, will focus on the theme: Zirkusquartier 2027
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.
Dates:
- 17. November 10:00 – 12:00
- 8. December 10:00 – 12:00
The exchange takes place in the training room without technical support and costs 5 CHF (Twint or cash). This amount covers the ZQ’s room and heating costs.
If you’d like to share something, send an email to circ-exchange@zirkusquartier.ch and let us know the date you’d like to share your experiences and how much time you’ll need. If you’d like to participate in the workshops or attend as an audience member, just stop by and spread the word!
Circ-Exchange Week
Circ-Exchange Week brings together emerging artists from the fields of circus and physical theater for five days at the Zirkusquartier. The week provides an opportunity for practical research, workshops, exchange, and working on personal projects.
The week is hosted by Luisa Schmitz and Caro Wuttke, with daily workshops led by experts. The week is open to circus professionals at the beginning of their careers to help them get started in the professional field.
Circ-Exchange Week 2026 will take place from October 26 to November 1, 2026. The application deadline is September 30, 2026. You can find all the information 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 next Production Café will take place on Friday, October 30, 2026.
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.
Newsletter and Chat for Professionals
Professional newsletter
In our professional newsletter, we’ll keep you informed about important workshops, events, gatherings, and the latest developments in the circus world throughout Switzerland about 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
BUZZ (Deutschland)
Bundesverband für Zeitgenössischen Zirkus in Deutschland – Kulturpolitik, Pitching Sessions, Links & Ressourcen
Production
Swiss Circus Art Network
Residencies for contemporary swiss circus artists
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