SOCIAL CIRCUS
changing the world one kid at a time
The growing movement toward the use of circus arts as a medium for social justice and good. It uses physical and interactive teaching tools to work with youth who are marginalized or at social or personal risk. It builds confidence and community by relying on skills separate from language, culture, or upbringing.
Social circus is an innovative social intervention approach, which uses the circus arts as a tool for fostering the personal and social development of at-risk individuals. It targets various at-risk groups living in precarious personal and social situations. The primary goal of this approach is not merely to learn circus arts. Rather, it’s designed to help participants achieve personal and social development by nurturing their self-esteem and trust in others, teaching them social skills, inspiring them to become active citizens, and helping them to express their creativity and explore their potential. Social circus is a powerful catalyst for creating social change because it helps marginalized people to assume citizenship within a community and enrich that community with their personality.
Green Fools history of Social Circus
1998 – present: Every March, for one week each, we work for the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival in both Northern Manitoba and in Winnipeg.
2000 – present: Every April, for one week each, we provide social circus camps in Chetwynd and Dawson Creek, Northern BC.
2007 – 2012: We had the opportunity to work for Cirque du Monde, in Northern Quebec and Nunavik.
2013 – present: For 1-3 weeks a year, we host social circus camps in Calgary, AB.
2020: Cirkaskina, Montreal, Quebec – Social Circus conference with Cirque Hors Piste.
2020 – 2021: Cirkaskina national Social Circus Conference. This 6 month project included 15 social circus companies across Canada and we were 1 of 2 companies west of Ontario.