Zirkus ON Open Call 2025/26:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Questions about the application conditions

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What does "open-format" creations mean?

A creation does not have to be a stage piece. Circus art is open in its forms and formats. The following are also possible: site-specific works, outdoor works, performative exhibitions, interactive play and theater formats for tents or individual city walks, performance lectures and interdisciplinary performance formats. At the end of the creation program, a presentation form of open-format creation should emerge.

 

 

What does “Creation has already begun” mean?

It is expected that artistic research and rehearsals for the project have already begun and that first visual impressions are available. Residencies or work-in-progress showings do not necessarily have to have already taken place. 

 

 

What is meant by ‘The work will not be completed before January 2026’?

Applicants are invited to apply with an open-format project. In the case of a stage piece, no premiere should be planned before January 2026. In the case of another format, no presentation of the completed work should take place before January 2026.

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The presentation of the completed work does not necessarily have to take place in the two years of the creation programme.

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The creation programme is designed to last approximately 2 years. From the experience of the last editions, we have found that it is not feasible for capacity reasons to take advantage of the offers of the creation programme if a presentation of the (open-format) creation is already planned before the end of the year. In order to benefit optimally from the creation programme, a certain availability is required in the period April - December 2025.

 

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I am an artist with many years of professional experience / part of a company with a repertoire of more than 3 creations. Can I apply for the call? 

Yes, the condition that only projects by artists/companies up to the 3rd creation can apply has been abolished.

 

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Is there an age limit?

No.

 

 

I currently live abroad and have no address in Germany (for reasons such as health insurance contributions, etc.) Is it still possible to apply?

Yes, if at least one member of the core team is resident in Germany OR if you intend to live and work in Germany and you take the steps (e.g. to set up a Gbr) to establish yourself in Germany in the period up to the jury decision.

 

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Can you apply with a number that only lasts 3-5 minutes or does creation always mean a full-length show?

The creation programme is set up to accompany full-length productions. If you look at our homepage to see which projects have been selected so far, you will see that shows like ‘Brace for Impact’ are about 30 minutes long, while others like ‘Runners’ are about an hour long.

 

 

What does Zirkus ON mean by “Zirkuskunst”?

Zirkus ON would like to use this term to emphasize and underline the recognition of circus as art.

 

 

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Questions about the application form

 

Who is part of the artistic core team of the project? 

All people who are firmly involved in the creation and whose role/function is necessary for the creation of the same and is foreseeable at this point in time. As part of the Zirkus ON programme, these core team members take part in all residencies, presentations and networking formats.

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For example: artists, dramaturges, technicians, scenographers, producers.

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This description of the persons in the application form may include name, place of work, artistic focus/professional fields of activity, 2-3 experiences or skills acquired, relevant to the project.

 

 

What should be included in the "Names of all other persons involved in the project" section of the application form?

In the corresponding text field of the application form, there is space for naming external persons involved in the project in phases or those to whom tasks/assignments for certain roles in the project are to be given.  

The person(s) named are not part of the project team but are involved in the implementation of the project for creative phases or as freelance project collaborators. For example, experts who are consulted on a fee basis during research and production or who facilitate access requirements. For example: outside-eye, light designers, photographers, videographers, riggers, scientists, awareness coaches, interpreters, …

 

 

What does “creation” mean?

Creation is a synonym for production or show. The term is not commonly used in German.

Creation comes from the French: création, and is defined in German as (fashion) creation, intellectual invention. At Zirkus ON, we believe that the term “creation” contrasts with the widespread concept of production in the performing arts, which links artistic activity too closely to concepts such as product or services in a commercialised form and thus follows a logic of exploitation. With the concept of “creation”, we at Zirkus ON deliberately focus on process-orientated piece development.

 

 

What is meant by ‘artistic means’?

Methods, tools, approaches that you use for your research, e.g.: free writing

 

 

My video and photo materials are recorded with semi-professional equipment and are of a corresponding quality. Is that still ok for an application?

Yes, that is sufficient. The jury is aware that not all applicants have the same resources for taking photos and videos. The aim is to get a first visual impression of the project and its aesthetics. Time and resources are given as part of the creation programme to get more professional material.

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In addition, the jury is also aware that the applicants are at different stages in their research and are at different stages of creation.

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Question: What is a Tech Rider/Tec Rider? 

A Tech Rider contains technical requirements for working as a guest at a residency location or for events. For example, information on specific technical requirements, equipment and set-up times in the project, which must be taken into account when working with Zirkus ON during the project period and which, for example, serve as a basis for in-house technicians to prepare.

What is a Green Rider ?
A Green Rider can contain information on the planned use of resources in the project, information on the project-related sustainability concept, or standards that should be observed when working with Zirkus ON during the program period.  
 
Not sure what is ecologically sustainable?  Take a look at ...
...  BFDK ECO Rider by Franziska Pierwoss on behalf of the Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste e.V.  
 ... Sustainability Lab by Aurora Nova (in English)

... Sample green rider (Aurora Nova), to help you to write your own Green Rider. If you have any questions while writing it, feel free to ask  bewerbung @zirkus-on.de

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What is an Access Rider?

An access rider contains access requirements for cooperation. For example, information on individual needs in the event of disabilities or chronic illness of people involved in the project, which must be taken into account when working with Zirkus ON during the project period.

Not sure what the acces requirements are? Read ... 
...  Diversity Arts Culture provides guidance for the Access Rider
 ...  Access Docs for Artists by Leah Clements, Alice Hattrick and Lizzy Rose

... Template (created by Kathrin Wagner) to help you writing your own Access Rider. If you have any questions by doint it, feel free to ask  bewerbung @zirkus-on.de

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Questions about the creation programme

Where do the residencies take place?
The 3 Zirkus ON residencies within the 2025/26 creation program will take place at the locations of the partners in the Zirkus ON creation alliance. A current overview of the alliance partners in Germany and Eastern France can be found here.
 

Are there suspension points for aerial artistry at the Zirkus ON residency locations?  
Yes, several residence locations have suspension points 5 to 7 meters high.   
 

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Where and when will the 2025 opening presentations take place?

The opening presentations will take place on 5 June 2025 in the Pfefferberg Theater in Berlin. A workshop will be offered on 6 June in the morning for the three selected projects. It is planned to arrive on 4 June and depart in the afternoon on 6 June.

 

 

Where and when will the 2025 stage presentations take place?

The stage presentations are expected to take place on 24 and 25 September as part of the ATOLL Festival in Karlsruhe. It is planned to arrive on 23 September and depart late in the afternoon on 26 September.  A knowledge transfer event is planned for 26 June.

 

 

How is the project financially supported by the creative programme?

In addition to the rehearsal and performance fees, the supported projects receive a grant of up to €3000 to enable them to work with freelancers (such as Outside Eye, costume designers, light designers, etc.). The budget must be invoiced by 31.10.2025 and spent by 31.12.2025. In addition, each project receives a material budget of €500. A discussion with the mentors about the best possible use of the available budget is recommended.

 

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The creation programme is scheduled to run for approx. 2 years. How is the project supported in the second year?

The creation programme provides an impulse in the first year. Several accompanying measures are implemented in the first months of the creation programme (the residencies, the mentoring, the opening and stage presentations, the first knowledge transfer offers and networking opportunities).

 

In the second year of the creation programme, creation continues. The alliance is still there to provide needs-orientated support. The project will continue to get focused attention in the alliance activities and communication. Further knowledge exchange formats and knowledge transfer activities will be offered.

The final presentations will take place after completion of the work (possibly after the premiere) and not necessarily within the 2 years.