Statement on the continuation of the Zirkus ON creation programme in 2026

(Statement auf Deutsch: hier)

Over the past seven years, the creative alliance Zirkus ON has provided invaluable services to the circus scene in Germany, which is severely underrepresented compared to neighboring European countries. At the end of 2025, funding from the Federal Republic of Germany will have expired which raises questions as to the future of the work of the nationwide network for strengthening circus arts in and from Germany. Nevertheless, the artist-run programme, Zirkus ON, has decided to announce a new edition for 2026, despite lacking funding. Further information and the open call can be found at www.zirkus-on.de.

Zirkus ON has accompanied three exemplary and pioneering circus productions annually in seven editions to date and helped them achieve breakthroughs. It has not only significantly increased the visibility of circus arts in and from Germany but also contributed to the professionalisation of the circus scene in Germany, whose greatly improved quality is now also recognised abroad.

From 2022 to 2025, the Zirkus ON creation programme was funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media through the ‘Promoting Connections’ programme of the Federal Association of Independent Performing Arts (Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste e.V.). Among other things, this funding enabled Zirkus ON to establish a professional creation programme steered by a coordination team, to network across Europe and to offer appropriate working conditions to circus artists. All the while, the artistic work of both the supported circus projects and the participating mentors and jury members was duly remunerated. 

With the discontinuation of funding, which the nine performing arts networks in Germany supported by ‘Promoting Connections’ had been working towards until recently, Zirkus ON is now unable to offer any financial support to the new projects it had committed to supporting in 2026. Nevertheless, the alliance partners from the various federal states, who have supported and steered the creative programme from the outset through their commitment have decided to maintain the programme on a makeshift basis through voluntary work and by providing their own resources, rehearsal and performance spaces and venues free of charge. Even if this means that professional working conditions can no longer be guaranteed to the same extent as before, the alliance partners wish to continue working to raise the visibility of circus arts in Germany. A complete cancellation of the Zirkus ON programme would be particularly damaging to emerging artists, according to the 19 alliance partners, which include the CircusDance Festival Cologne, the Berlin Circus Festival, the ATOLL Festival in Karlsruhe, the Chamäleon and Pfefferberg Theatre in Berlin, the Flottmann-Hallen in Herne and the Ruhrfestspiele in Recklinghausen.

Before Zirkus ON, it was normal for young artists to complete their training abroad due to a lack of opportunities in Germany. In doing so, they found themselves forced to turn their backs on their homeland for good since they could not find adequate (or any) professional working and performance conditions here. Now, however, numerous artists, including international ones, have been given the opportunity to produce and perform in Germany thanks to initiatives such as Zirkus ON creation programme.

Zirkus ON has been promoting pioneering projects in this young art form with passion and responsibility as part of a nationwide alliance since 2018. It has done so in collaboration with a growing number of festivals and venues that are increasingly enthusiastic about circus arts as well as with numerous recently established residency places. With its accessibility, its cross-genre approach that often does not require language skills, and its performances that frequently address socio-political issues of the day, it offers a space for different generations, cultures and milieus to come together and exchange ideas. Every circus artist knows that without solidarity and cooperation, they will fail. In the medium term, the alliance members of Zirkus ON, led by artistic director Andree Wenzel, see their most urgent task as finding funding opportunities to ensure the long-term survival of the creative programme. Zirkus ON expects politicians to make a lasting commitment to the innovative power of circus arts and the independent performing arts in Germany, which must be reflected in appropriate funding. Without this, it will be almost impossible to maintain the quality of German productions that has been achieved in recent years.

Karlsruhe, 08/01/2026

The creation programme Zirkus ON will be implemented for the time being without funding in 2026. If you value and are satisfied with our work, we look forward to your support!