WIREDGOV

A picture of how popular taking part in circus activities is with young people in England has emerged in a new report commissioned by Arts Council England.

The report, ‘Airborne: mapping of youth circus activity in the UK’, shows that more than 5,000 young people currently attend regular circus groups and over 50,000 engage in circus activity through outreach programmes.

The popularity of youth circus reflects its success in children’s educational development in schools, youth clubs and community settings. Circus skills help children develop their mental and physical coordination within a creative environment.

Arts Council England Director of Theatre Strategy, Barbara Matthews, said:

“This is the first ever mapping of youth circus that has been done. It proves how popular youth circus is and how instrumental it can be in engaging young people.

“The findings of the report show that this sector reaches a diverse range of social, cultural and ethnic groups and in particular, demonstrates strengths in working with learning disabled people, developing concentration skills and hand-eye coordination.”

Following the report, Arts Council England will continue its commitment to the development of youth circus, as part of the Young People’s Participatory Theatre project which aims to increase young people’s participation in all areas of theatre.


Notes for editors:

1. The report ‘Airborne: mapping of youth circus activity in the UK’, will be launched at the Youth Circus Conference at the Roundhouse on the 25th July 2007. The report will be published on the ACE website on this date.

2. The report covers the views of 250 youth circus groups.

3. The report was conducted by independent arts consultant Leila Jancovich, on behalf of Arts Council England as part of the Young People’s Participatory Theatre project.

4. The Young People's Participatory Theatre programme is a 3-year DCMS funded initiative to develop youth and participatory theatre in England 2005/06 - 2008/09. The definition of theatre within the scope of this project includes circus, street arts and experimental theatre and the age range we are working with is young people aged 11 - 25 years. The programme aims include: a commitment to increase young people's access to and participation in theatre, raising the profile and status of participatory work, and positively addressing issues of quality.

5. Arts Council England works to get great art to more people in more places. We develop and promote the arts across England, acting as an independent body at arm’s length from government. Between 2006 and 2008, we will invest £1.1 billion of public money from government and the National Lottery in supporting the arts. This is the bedrock of support for the arts in England. We believe that the arts have the power to change lives and communities, and to create opportunities for people throughout the country.

For 2006 to 2008, Arts Council England has six priorities:

• Taking part in the arts
  
• Children and young people
  
• The creative economy
  
• Vibrant communities
  
• Internationalism
  
• Celebrating diversity
  

For more information contact:

Julie Yau, Assistant Press Officer on 020 7973 6557 or julie.yau@artscouncil.org.uk

Louise Wylie, Media Relations Director on 020 7973 5528 or louise.wylie@artscouncil.org.uk