Organizer Information
Cirkus Kolektiv is an independent contemporary circus organization based in Split, Croatia, dedicated to supporting the creation, production, and promotion of contemporary circus arts. Since its establishment, the organization has played a key role in developing Croatia's contemporary circus scene through artist residencies, performances, educational programs, community engagement, and international collaborations. Operating from the "Mala Scena" contemporary circus center within the Dom mladih (Youth Centre) in Split, Cirkus Kolektiv provides professional rehearsal facilities, technical resources, and mentoring opportunities for emerging and established circus artists. The organization is committed to fostering innovative artistic practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement through work-in-progress presentations, discussions, and workshops that strengthen connections between artists and local audiences.
Title & Description
Cirkus Kolektiv Artist in Residence 2027 – Contemporary Circus Residency in Croatia
Cirkus Kolektiv invites contemporary circus artists, authors, and artistic collectives from across Europe to apply for its Artist in Residence 2027 program in Split, Croatia. The residency is designed to support the development of new contemporary circus performances, interdisciplinary artistic projects, and research-based creative processes.
Open to projects at every stage of development—from initial artistic concepts and experimental research to advanced production—the residency provides artists with dedicated time, professional rehearsal facilities, technical assistance, and financial support to further develop their work in a collaborative environment.
Residents are encouraged to engage with local audiences through work-in-progress presentations followed by moderated discussions that explore their creative processes and artistic contexts. Applicants proposing workshops, masterclasses, or educational activities that share circus techniques and artistic knowledge with amateur and professional practitioners are especially encouraged to apply.
Hosted between January and October 2027, each residency may last up to 14 days and takes place at the fully equipped "Mala Scena" contemporary circus center in Split. The venue includes rehearsal studios, aerial rigging equipment, dance flooring, audio facilities, lighting equipment, and flexible performance spaces capable of supporting a wide range of contemporary circus disciplines.
The program emphasizes innovation, artistic experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, social engagement, and the continued development of contemporary circus as an evolving art form.
Categories
- Residency
- Performance
- Theatre
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Choreography
- Dance
- Sound/Music
- Multimedia
- Research
- Art
- Education
Eligibility
- Open to artists, authors, and contemporary circus collectives from Europe.
- Applicants should be working in the field of contemporary circus.
- Projects may be at any stage of development, including:
- Early artistic research
- Concept development
- Works in progress
- Production phase
- Interdisciplinary collaborations are welcome.
- Projects incorporating workshops, masterclasses, or educational activities are strongly encouraged.
- Both individual artists and collectives may apply.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Residency in Split, Croatia (up to 14 days)
- Professional rehearsal and production workspace
- Technical support throughout the residency
- Organization of a public work-in-progress presentation
- Moderated audience discussion following the presentation
- Promotion and media visibility through Cirkus Kolektiv
- Documentation of the creative process and artistic outcomes
- Financial support of up to €1,000 covering:
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation
- Production costs
- Access to fully equipped contemporary circus facilities including:
- 450 m² rehearsal space
- Dance floor
- Mirrors
- 8×8 m tatami floor
- 14 aerial rigging points (5–8 m height)
- 13 aerial circus apparatus
- Juggling equipment
- Audio studio
- Dressing room
- Black box theatre setup
- Basic lighting and sound equipment
- Kitchen facilities
- Additional technical support available upon request for complex productions.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Artist or collective details
- Project description
- Current stage of development
- Artistic concept
- Residency objectives
- Technical requirements
- Proposed workshop or educational activities (if applicable)
Additional supporting materials may be requested through the application form.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 July 2026
- Selection Results: August 2026
- Residency Period: January–October 2027
- Residency Duration: Up to 14 days
Location
Split, Croatia
Additional Details
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Innovation and originality
- Critical thinking
- Artistic quality
- Social engagement
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Potential for future development and presentation
During the residency, participants are expected to engage in four core activities:
- Artistic production and research.
- Public work-in-progress presentation.
- Moderated discussion with audiences.
- Educational workshops or skill-sharing activities.
The rehearsal space can be transformed into a black box theatre for performances, while larger or technically demanding presentations may be hosted in the amphitheatre or other venues depending on project requirements.
Cirkus Kolektiv reserves the right to modify residency conditions in agreement with selected artists or cancel the program in cases of force majeure.