Foto: Nelli Kujansivu, Impacts.
Photographer – Klara G

Cirkuscentrum serves as a link between presenters and Sweden’s professional circus artists and companies.

Cirkuscentrum connects presenters with professional circus artists and companies across Sweden – from touring stage productions to site-specific performances and educational formats for children and young audiences. Through our nationwide network of professional circus practitioners, we offer support to anyone looking to book circus – whether you represent a venue, municipality, school, event company or festival. We provide contact information, guidance, and practical resources.

Cirkuscentrum is a non-profit, national membership organization for professional artists within the circus sector. Our members include artists, companies, producers, creatives, and students – from well-established names to emerging groups and freelance circus artists across the country.

Cirkuscentrum works to strengthen and promote the visibility of contemporary circus by:

  • Connecting professional circus productions and performers with various contexts

  • Providing knowledge to presenters, decision-makers, and the general public

  • Supporting artistic development and advocating for improved working conditions and infrastructure

  • Offering daily training, workshops, professional development, and organizational support for professionals

Cirkuscentrum serves as a knowledgeable and engaged voice for the role of circus in cultural life and society – both nationally and internationally.

Brief history

Cirkuscentrum was founded in 2009 under the name Manegen – Centre for Circus, Variety and Street Performance. The background was that Sweden, despite strong companies and training programmes, lacked an umbrella organisation comparable to international counterparts such as Hors Les Murs (France) and En Piste (Canada). In November 2008, statutes were adopted and an interim board appointed. In March 2009, a sector-wide meeting laid the foundation for the work plan and agenda. Interest was strong and members joined from across the country—individual artists, companies, producers, training institutions, presenters and supporting members.

From the outset, the vision was to use joint efforts and activities to bring the art form to new groups of practitioners and audiences, increase media coverage, encourage collaboration, and harness the potential of Sweden’s independent actors.

Subtopia supported the start-up by funding a project coordinator in spring 2009, after which staff and the board gradually took over and developed the organisational structures.

When the Swedish Arts Council in 2009 granted Cirkuscentrum (then Manegen) a project development grant, the rationale was that circus, variety and street performance lacked a sector organisation to support dissemination, employment and collaboration. The decision emphasised strengthening practitioners’ opportunities and the labour market for circus arts.

In late 2023, Manegen changed its name to Cirkuscentrum. The name change clarifies that the organisation is an artist centre (centrumbildning) and signals a re-launch following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo: Circus I Love You

Photo: Arenaslöjd, Automata Akrobata. Photographer Jonas Persson.

Photo: Aaron Hakala

Photo: Regina Baumann, Klädställningen

The Circus Arts

Circus is an interdisciplinary art form in constant motion. It combines physical precision and technical skill with performative storytelling in close connection with its audience. It encompasses everything from the experimental and poetic to the spectacular and popular.

On this page you will find some of our member – individual artists as well as companies and support roles. Please note that the information is Swedish.

Membership

Membership for professionals in the circus sector

Membership can be applied for by professional practitioners, stakeholders, and organisations active in circus, variety, and street performance. Students at Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH) are entitled to free membership in Cirkuscentrum during their studies (applicable to bachelor's and master's programmes only).

To become a member of Cirkuscentrum, you must share and support the association’s mission: The association works to promote the art form and support professional practitioners in Sweden. It is politically and religiously independent and serves as Sweden’s representative in Nordic, European, and international forums with similar objectives. Cirkuscentrum is a discrimination-free organization where all members are entitled to a safe and inclusive environment. No form of racism, sexism, ableism, age discrimination, homophobia, or transphobia is accepted.

You can apply for an individual membership or a membership for your organisation. Read more here!

Support member

As a supporting member, you become part of our community and gain access to industry gatherings we organise. These events provide a platform for networking, sharing experiences, and collaborating with others in the field of circus arts.

Your support not only contributes financially but also helps us spread knowledge about the art form and the expertise that is crucial for the sector’s growth and sustainability. Supporting members have the right to receive information about the organisation’s activities but do not have voting rights in its decision-making bodies. Annual contribution for support members 200 SEK per year or any amount above SEK 200

To become a support member email info@cirkuscentrum.se and we will send you more information.