Summer Fundraiser 2025
Come and support the National Centre for Circus Arts by attending our spectacular summer fundraising event on the 24th of June ā hosted in our beautiful courtyard!
Expect an exclusive evening of delicious food and drink as you witness students from our youth and degree programmes dazzle in one-off performances, specially created for the evening.
Join us to raise a glass to this amazing organisation, the people who keep it running, and the incredible students who we train!
If you are unable to attend, but still want to contribute to the National Centreās future, please consider making a one-off or regular donationāor find more ways to support us here.
Donate
The National Centre exists to provide a space thatās crucial for circus arts and education in the UK, and are committed to delivering a range of programmes. We provide world-class training to over 900 people every week and are only one of 11 schools in the world offering circus arts as a higher education course.
The arts, however, are facing an unprecedented funding crisis, and like many cultural organisations across the country, the National Centre has felt the impact. In recent years, public funding has declined, costs have soared, and in April of 2023 we lost our long-term National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding from Arts Council England. This has meant a devastating loss of over Ā£1 millionānearly 20% of our operating income.
Another blow came with the announcement that the Arts Council is extending its current NPO funding term. This means we have no realistic re-entry into the scheme, which can help cover core costs, until Spring 2028. Additionally, support we receive for our hardship funds – which provides vital financial aid for our degree students – comes to a close at the end of this academic year.
As a charity, we are reliant on the generosity of funders and donations so that we can continue training the next generation of performers, improving access for those less able to participate, and providing support for professional circus artists in the UK. Your support is paramount.
This summer, we hope youāll join us in celebrating the National Centre for Circus Arts and helping to sustain its bright future.
Programme of Events
Immerse yourself in the world of circus for the night and see how you can contribute to our work of nurturing future and current circus artists!
Hereās a sneak preview at what to expect at this special summer event:
- Kick off the evening with canapes and drinks in our sunny courtyard.
- Experience a specially commissioned performance from students on our Centre for Advanced Training programme (CAT), directed by graduate Ania Giannattasio and our very own Ed Stephens.
- Pop back into the courtyard for dinner, savouring some roaming dishes alongside exciting roaming circus acts!
- Get an exclusive look at our first-year students’ Ensemble Performance, directed by Daisy Minto, founder and artistic director of the acclaimed theatre and circus company āHoursā.
- Enjoy a preview of pieces from our BA3 Devised performance season. This dynamic showcase by the class of 2025 will be the culmination of their hard work and dedication over the last three years.
- Plus much moreāexpect plenty of surprises!
