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Calls for Expressions of Interest

We’re excited to announce an upcoming opportunity for passionate and committed youth circus artists to take part in an International Exchange Program, facilitated by the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).

Youth Circus International Exchange Program

This immersive program will run from October 2025 to September 2026 and is designed to foster global connections, artistic development, and cultural exchange with the Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe and the Shanghai Circus School. Participating students will engage in workshops and collaborative activities both on-campus at NICA (Melbourne, Australia) and overseas in China (Shanghai and Nanjing).

Program Highlights:

• Intensive circus workshops at NICA led by members of the Shanghai Circus School during the Australian Circus Summit (6 - 10 October 2025).
• Travel to China on a circus-based cultural exchange, training and learning from Chinese youth and trainers in July 2026.
• Collaborative performance projects and cultural activities in September 2026.
• Build lifelong friendships and networks with circus students abroad.

*events in 2026 are planned to align with school holiday breaks.

Commitment:

To ensure the success of the exchange, all participants will be required to:

• Attend all scheduled workshops and activities in both Australia and overseas.
• Actively participate in creative and ensemble work.
• Uphold NICA’s values of professionalism, inclusivity, and cultural respect.
• Commit to the full duration of the program.

We’re inviting expressions of interest from circus students aged 18–25 who are training at an intermediate to advanced level. Ideal candidates will have strong skills in a discipline suited to Chinese-style circus, show creativity and performance quality, and bring a positive attitude to training and teamwork. You should be in good physical condition and able to meet the demands of intensive training, ensemble performance, and international travel.

We’re also looking for students who are curious about cultural exchange, open to new experiences, and able to represent their school or community with confidence. Being friendly, easy to work with, and comfortable speaking on camera are all important. Current or prospective NICA students are especially encouraged to apply, and recommendations from your trainers or mentors will be taken into account.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Deadline for submissions: 9:00 AM on 29 September 2025

Shortlisted students may be invited to a follow-up interview

Download Application Form