Resources for aerial artists in Edmonton
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Arts festivals in Edmonton showcasing aerial artists
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Alberta Circus Arts Festival
Hosted by Firefly Theatre and Circus, the festival showcases contemporary circus performances, along with professional development workshops, panels and discussions for industry professionals, and outreach opportunities for all.
From cutting-edge performances to true-life inspirational stories, and dancing, flying chaos, the Alberta Circus Arts Festival is dedicated to the creation of a regional and national voice in contemporary Canadian circus and committed to sharing and experiencing world-class circus with the community.
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SkirtsAfire
Founded in 2012, SkirtsAfire is Edmonton’s only theatre and multidisciplinary arts organization featuring women. Their programming reflects the true diversity of the thriving arts community in Alberta and Canada, and is adaptive in its approach in order to remain responsive to the needs of artists and audiences.
SkirtsAfire Festival values diversity in the artists they represent and therefore welcomes artists of all diverse backgrounds, including cis and trans women, non-binary people, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and artists of all ethnicities and all abilities.
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Expanse
Expanse festival is a movement arts festival that focuses on body-based work from a cross-section of artists. expanse offers opportunity, inspiration, education, and community for artists and audiences who share a love and curiosity In physical performance.
The festival has two main streams: a Performance Series of performance works by local, regional, national and international artists and the Expanse Community Outreach Program which encompasses a number of activities through which the festival interacts with the Edmonton Community at large.
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NextFest
NextFest shepherds the development of emerging artists. It is curated on the basis of providing development opportunities for emerging professional artists to hone their craft, gain experience, make contacts, and step forward as the future of professional arts.
There are many ways in which artistic entities, products, and relationship have grown out of NextFest, and there are numerous examples of new works of theatre and dance, that may have never made it to the stage, and ongoing artist collaborations that may have never come to be, without the existence of NextFest.
Funding & Grants
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Edmonton Arts Council
The Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) provides funding opportunities for artists across various disciplines, including circus arts.
Grants include:
Exploration & Experimentation (creation, experimentation, or research activities).
Skills & Career Development (mentorships, residencies, or professional development projects).
Major Artist-Driven Projects (projects ready for production or presentation)
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Canada Council for the Arts
Circus arts are recognized as a distinct field of practice by the Canada Council. Artists and organizations working in this discipline can access funding through various programs:
Explore and Create (development of new work, including: Research and Creation, Concept to Realization, and Professional Development for Artists )
Arts Across Canada (presentation and circulation of artistic work within Canada).
Arts Abroad (opportunities to present work internationally, supporting travel, residencies, and touring)
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Alberta Foundation for the Arts
The AFA does not have a grant exclusively for circus arts, circus artists can apply under programs that encompass performing arts disciplines such as the Individual Project Funding for Dance or Theatre including activities such as:
Development, creation, and production of theatre/performance art works
Promoting or advertising work
Research activities leading to the development of a theatre/performance art project
Training and career development
Rigging & Aerial Resources in Edmonton & Canada
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Continental Chain & Rigging LTD
If you are looking for good quality & value slings, shackles, cables, pins, and most rigging supplies, you can find them right here in the city.
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AustriAlpin
Local provider of good value carabiners made of steel and stainless steel as well as aluminium and CE certified. They also have O or D rings rated for aerials.
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JuggleGear
Alberta based aerial manufacturer & provider, they have almost anything you will ever need for your aerial performance.
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CircusConcepts
Quebec based manufacturers and online shop. They design and create unique apparatus for some of the most prestigious companies in the country.
Performing: Documents and General Information
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Contracts
Womack and Bowman have some info about how to write an aerial performance contract.
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Insurance
En Piste National Circus Alliance provides insurance for their members.
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Silks & Hammock Rigging
Aerial Essentials provides videos on how to rig your aerial silks & hammock to a Rescue 8 or rings.
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Safety & Rigging
FEDEC, the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools provides information about rigging and safety for professional aerialists.
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Safety & Rigging for Freestanding Rigs
A fantastic premier on loads (static & dynamic), in general and specific to freestanding rigs. Required knowledge for a professional aerial artist.
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Professional Training Manuals
FEDEC provides free training manuals for professional circus artists on a variety of apparatus and disciplines.
Training in Edmonton
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Firefly Theatre and Circus
One of the only circus companies in town, Firefly offers workshops and professional training sporadically.
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Sapphire Circus Arts
Recreational studio mainly focused on Silks, Hoop, and Trapeze classes for adults but also offering a few kids classes.
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Cirquetastic
Mainly focused on kids & teens classes, they also have a strong recreational program in acro and trampoline.
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Aradia Fitness
Offers pole dancing, dance, and aerial fitness classes, focusing mainly on Silks, Hoop and Trapeze.
Training in Canada
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École Nationale de Cirque
Located in Montreal, it is one of the most renowned professional circus schools in the world. ENC has preparatory & professional circus programs as well as instructor trainer and circus coach programs.
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École de cirque de Québec
ECQ offers professional programs as well as recreational programs in the city of Québec. For those living outside of the province, they also have winter and summer intensives.
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Circus Labs
Circus Labs, in Langley BC, has an intensive circus program that includes customized training in circus arts plus artistic development.