Upsala-Circus continues to grow from a simple but deeply rooted belief: contemporary circus can be a powerful tool for meaningful social change.
Not through grand declarations, but through consistent work, human connection, and small shifts that grow over time.
Circus gives us a unique way to work with children and teenagers because it is naturally attractive, playful, physical, and accessible. It creates a space where language barriers become less important, where trust can be built through shared experience, and where young people from very different backgrounds can meet, create, and grow together.
In the near future, we are focusing on several concrete directions for growth — expanding our artistic work, reaching more young people, and strengthening international collaboration.
International touring & dialogue formats
Our performance project Cases will tour across five European countries, bringing contemporary circus and storytelling into dialogue with local communities around themes of migration, belonging, civic participation, and social change.
Growing youth programmes in Zeitz
Our goal is to expand our regular youth programmes beyond the current 6 weekly groups and 120+ children and teenagers, while also deepening our work with schools. In the coming period, we plan to establish at least two new long-term school partnerships, allowing us to reach young people both through regular circus training and educational formats such as 45 Minutes.
International artistic exchange & residencies
Together with circus partners in Prague and České Budějovice, we are developing new residency and exchange formats for young artists, trainers, and creative teams — creating more opportunities for artistic collaboration, shared learning, and mobility across borders.
Growing our work beyond Zeitz
While Zeitz remains our home base, we are beginning to expand our presence into Leipzig, allowing us to reach broader audiences, develop new partnerships, and connect our artistic and educational work with a larger urban ecosystem.
Scaling proven community formats
Some of our strongest community formats are designed to grow. In 2027, we plan to expand Große Leute Carnival beyond Zeitz and realise the format in two cities, while also preparing the next edition of Rebels for Peace — continuing our long-term artistic work around dialogue, shared stories, and social connection.
Making our methodology transferable
As our organisation grows, so does the need to onboard new trainers, artists, and collaborators efficiently and consistently. We are therefore developing a digital onboarding and learning tool that translates the Upsala-Circus Method into an accessible format — helping new team members quickly understand our practical tools, methodology, and organisational culture.