Circus artists develop original performance pieces showcasing great artistic and performing skills, emotive depth and artistic proposals for the general public. Alone or collectively, they may perform one or more traditional or original circus disciplines, which are usually based on physical capabilities such as strength, balance, agility, flexibility, ability, and coordination of body parts and combined with performance disciplines such as dance, theatre, mime, etc. The physical nature of the exercises performed often includes a certain level of risk for the performer.
Execute a range of circus acts, such as acrobatics, aerial performances, juggling, clowning, and balancing acts, ensuring high levels of skill and safety.
Regularly practice and refine routines to maintain peak physical condition and performance quality, including learning new skills and developing new acts.
Collaborate with directors and choreographers to design and perfect acts, ensuring they fit the overall theme and flow of the show.
Follow strict safety protocols and use appropriate safety equipment to minimize the risk of injury during performances and rehearsals.
Travel extensively with the circus or production company to various locations for performances, often requiring adaptability to different venues and conditions.
Engage with the audience through performance, creating an immersive and memorable experience.
Design or wear costumes and apply makeup that enhances the character or theme of the act, contributing to the visual appeal of the performance.
Inspect and maintain performance equipment, such as trapezes, stilts, and juggling props, to ensure they are in safe working order.
Teach circus skills to aspiring performers or conduct workshops as part of community outreach or education programs.
Participate in promotional activities, such as interviews, photo shoots, and social media engagement, to promote upcoming shows and events.
The following job titles also refer to circus artist:
german wheel acrobat sword swallower Cyr wheel acrobat Korean board artist Chinese hoops acrobat teeterboard artist tight wire artist rola bola artist icarian games acrobat hair hanging acrobat aerial straps acrobat ladder acrobat banquine artist Russian bar acrobat dance trapezist aerial silk artist cloud swing acrobat slack wire acrobat rope acrobat static trapezist slack wire artist Spanish web artist Chinese pole acrobat contortionist Korean plank acrobat aerial circus performer Russian swing acrobat silk artist antipodist lasso artist ladder artist bicycle artist hula hoop acrobat aerial rings artist acrobat aerial silk acrobat bicycle acrobat sword eater rola bola acrobat Russian swing artist fakir Korean plank artist impalement artist high wire acrobat rolling globe artist rolling globe acrobat fire eater aerial cradle artist swinging trapezist equilibrist hair hanging artist cyr wheel artist hand-to-hand acrobat rope artist cloud swing artist aerial straps artist aerial rings acrobat Chinese hoops artist aerial cradle acrobat Spanish web acrobat juggler trapezist tightrope walker hula hoop artist devil sticks acrobat sword dancer aerial artist straps artist fire artist Icarian games artist Russian cradle artist Russian cradle acrobat clown circus performer circus acrobat trampolinist Chinese pole artist Russian bar artist aerial acrobat devil sticks artist German wheel artist tight wire acrobat knife throwing artist banquine acrobat teeterboard acrobat unicyclist high wire artist animal tamer hand-to-hand artist
Circus Artists often work in diverse and challenging environments, including big top tents, theaters, outdoor venues, and sometimes unconventional spaces like street performances or special events. The role involves extensive physical activity, requiring peak physical fitness, flexibility, and strength.
Circus artists must be able to adapt to varying conditions, including different stage setups, weather conditions for outdoor performances, and irregular schedules. The job can be demanding, with long hours of rehearsals, travel, and performances, often on nights, weekends, and holidays. Safety is a paramount concern, and performers must consistently practice and perform with precision to minimize risks.
Formal education in the circus arts can be beneficial, and many performers attend specialized circus schools or academies where they receive training in various disciplines. A background in gymnastics, dance, theater, or other physical arts can also be advantageous. Continuous training and practice are essential to maintain and improve skills.
Experience is typically gained through performing in smaller productions, local shows, or community events before progressing to larger, professional circuses. Networking within the industry and participating in workshops or festivals can help build a reputation and secure opportunities. Flexibility, creativity, and a passion for performance are crucial attributes for success as a Circus Artist.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of circus artist.
Circus aesthetics: The way the circus concepts and traditions have evolved through time and their artistic meaning.
Circus vocabulary: The specific terminology related to the circus activities.
Acting and directing techniques: A range of training and rehearsal techniques that seek to encourage emotionally expressive performances. These techniques address all aspects of making a film, play, or performance in general.
These skills are necessary for the role of circus artist.
Manage feedback: Provide feedback to others. Evaluate and respond constructively and professionally to critical communication from colleagues and customers.
Apply company policies: Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
Check the production schedule: Check the daily and long-term schedules for rehearsal, training, performances, season, tour, etc., taking into account the project timeline and all the preparations required by the production.
Practice circus disciplines: Have a very high level of practical and technical skills and competences of one or several chosen circus disciplines in order to enter into the professional circus field.
Define artistic vision: Continually develop and define a concrete artistic vision, starting with the proposal and continuing through to the finished product.
Manage artistic project: Manage an artistic project. Determine project needs. Establish partnerships. Manage the budget, schedule, and contractual agreements and assess the project.
Select artistic materials to create artworks: Select artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected shape, color, etc. – even though the result might vary from it. Artistic materials such as paint, ink, watercolours, charcoal, oil, or computer software can be used as much as garbage, living products (fruits, etc) and any kind of material depending on the creative project.
Define the visual universe of your creation: Define the visual universe that will surround the creation using painting, drawing, lighting, projections or other visual means
Work with circus group: Work together with other circus artists and management. Make sure to do your part while keeping the performance as a whole in mind.
Analyse own performance: Understand, analyse and describe your own performance. Contextualize your work in one or various styles, trends, evolution, etc. Self-evaluate your work in rehearsals and performances.
Carry out physical training: Plan and carry out a physical training regimen (daily) to maintain a good physical condition.
Coordinate artistic production: Oversee the day-to-day coordination of production tasks so that the organisation fits within the desired artistic and business policies and in order to present productions in a uniform corporate identity to the public.
Manage artistic career: Present yourself and your artistic approach. Position your work in target markets. Promote and market yourself and your oeuvre.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of circus artist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Select music for performance: Select pieces of music for a live performance. Consider factors such as ensemble abilities, availability of scores and the need for musical variety.
Define rigging needs for circus acts: Define the specific safety, technical and performance needs for circus acts rigging in a technical rider or description.
Use body language: Use and understand body language, gestures and other paralinguistic cues.
Ensure safety of exercise environment: Select the correct training environment and assess risks to ensure it provides a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment and that it will be the best use of the environment in which clients are exercising.
Maintain rigging equipment: Check rigging equipment before fitting up, and make small repairs if necessary.
Use rope access techniques: Apply ropework to work in elevated position. Safely ascend and descend ropes, wearing a harness.
Instruct riggers on assembly of circus rigging equipment: Instruct riggers in detail about intended use, place, requirements and safety issues of circus rigging equipment in order to ensure safe and accurate assembly and fit-up of the equipment.
Assess artistic proposal: Identify the essence of a proposed artistic project. Assess the strong and weak points of the proposal. Judge whether to accept the proposal, and whether to propose modifications.
