Cirko – Centre for New Circus
Established in 2002, Cirko – Centre for New Circus is a Helsinki-based production community for contemporary circus art with the mission of developing circus as an art form.
During years 2004–2006 Cirko achieved a new circus development project with the support of Finnish Culture Foundation. During this project, wide spread performance, development, publishing and research work of the contemporary circus branch was put in motion.
In June 2006 the activities of Cirko was divided in two. Cirko will continue as a Helsinki-centered production community. Founded in June 2006 the Finnish Circus Information Centre will continue the cultural political development projects and publishing activities begun by Cirko.
Cirko organizes series of performances and a festival in Helsinki in cooperation with the Cultural Centre of Helsinki City as well as supports the professional circus artists and companies working in Helsinki.
Cirko organizes tailor-made performances for firms, cultural courses for students of various ages and workshops for professionals.
CIRKO – regional centre for circus
In 2008 Cirko – Centre for New Circus agreed with Helsinki City-owned Cultural Centre Cable Factory that they would start a project together to establish a regional circus centre based in a former gas factory building in Suvilahti area, Helsinki. Activities of the new centre started in spring 2011.
CIRKO Centre is a venue for performances and festivals as well a hall for rehearsal activities, workshops and residencies. In addition there are office rooms for Helsinki-based circus companies.
The Finnish Circus Information Centre has its premises at the top floor of the building with a library, video archive and offices. Information centre arranges seminars, discussions and lectures in CIRKO Centre.
Cirko – Centre for New Circus is supported by the Ministry of Education,City of Helsinki and private foundations.
