We work with individuals and communities and foster collaborations between community participants and professional artists.
Our training and creative programs celebrate the physical and imaginative potential of the human body and nurture self-awareness and self-esteem.
Women’s Circus is a feminist organisation dedicated to individual well-being of women and connectedness within and across their communities.
As a feminist organisation, we position empathy as one of the most powerful forces for social change. Imagination allows us to offer a vision of what this change might be.
Taking risks – both physical and creative – in a safe and supportive space can expand an individual’s and a community’s belief in what is possible.
We strive to create inclusive projects so that those who face barriers – of gender, age, experience, access, cultural background, mental health, sexual identity – have the opportunity to participate in training, development and creative opportunities.
In our training programs, projects, productions and company operations, we strive for excellence in both what we provide and how we provide it. We are dedicated to finding new ways that are at once poetic and political, to tell stories, explore themes, raise issues, share knowledge and work together.
Women’s Circus is a not for profit feminist arts organisation based in the Drill Hall in West Footscray, offering a year round program of community, circus and performance training. Our programs celebrate the physical and imaginative potential of the human body and nurtures self-awareness and self-esteem.
Since 1991, Women’s Circus has made over 35 shows, performed to over 50,000 people, partnered on over 300 community projects, delivered 1000’s of circus workshops, employed 100’s of artists and trained 1000’s in circus and performance using our model of feminism and community cultural development practice. Women’s Circus is an influential feminist arts organisation and is considered a pioneer of social circus both nationally and internationally. We have made a significant contribution to the development of both the national and state circus sector and to the articulation of an Australian cultural identity.
Women’s Circus has featured in numerous festivals including Melbourne Fringe, Due West Arts, Midsumma, Moomba, Melbourne Comedy Festival and Adelaide Fringe.
Women’s Circus has spoken about our work at various forums, conferences and events such as Feminist Futures Conference, Reconnexion’s Annual National Anxiety and Depression Conference, Kensington Women’s Group International Women’s Day Celebration, Preventing Violence Against Women community conference, UNESCO conference, International Women’s Day.