Bindlestiff Kids

Our Mission is to create original, collaborative circus experiences that nurture transformation in people and communities by centering joy, wonder, healing, beauty, and learning.

We Do This By:

• Presenting high quality world class performances
• Lifting the diverse cultures, experiences, skills, and work of artists and creators.
• Creating relevant, high-quality circus arts education programs for youth and adults of all abilities.
• Serving emerging and established variety artists with funding
  opportunities, technical support, access to residencies, and
  professional development.

Bindlestiff’s Cirkus After School and related programs are attracting youth and adults, including neurodiverse learners, who have an interest in the intersection of creative arts and physical discipline. The broad skill families of Cirkus speak to varied interests, and each individual finds a way in and place. Cirkus After School provides a path for advancement as older students progress into serving as junior counselors and mentors for younger participants. If interested in administrative skills or production, they become interns with Bindlestiff, learning how an arts business is run, and how events and shows are created. Parents and community members are involved as creative and cultural mentors, volunteers, and co-teachers. College students, former Cirkus After School participants, return on semester breaks to work with Cirkus After School or as BFC interns. Cirkus After School and Coarc Cirkus participants perform in local and regional festivals and shows, volunteer as juggling teachers for other youth programs, and are active in community service.  Partnerships and creative collaborations between Cirkus After School and other regional youth circus programs culminate in public skill shares and performances. Cirkus After School participants travel to regional and national youth circus events, and report back via blogs and video news feeds on community social media sites. Cirkus After School shares data and program experience with other local and regional youth development organizations and agencies to enhance impact and reach. Cirkus After School becomes a model for other youth circus programs, introduces individuals to career pathways in circus and variety arts, and generates fulfilling work for youth, teaching artists and community members.

Life-long Learning, Safety, Choice, Trustworthiness, Practice, Collaboration, Empowerment, Compassion, Respect