Encirqué Project(s) and plusQ’île festival: Equipping the artistic sector
Encirqué Project(s)
The Encirqué Project(s) use the circus as a means of integration, expression and the development of artistic and social skills. Through inclusive and creative workshops, they foster interaction, cohesion and connections between local communities.
plusQ’Île Festival
The plusQ’île festival is a space for creativity, sharing and artistic freedom in Biel. It advocates for a culture that is accessible and inclusive. Here, the circus brings together people of all ages, languages and backgrounds, at the heart of a bilingual, popular city in which everyone is welcome.
In the performing arts, artists are often called upon to teach – whether in schools, through outreach programmes or in participatory creative projects – without any specific training in education. These spaces for transmission engage the body, physical contact and complex group dynamics, with power relations intertwining. As a result, they can be the setting for situations of discomfort, discrimination or violence, which are often overlooked and rarely addressed. Today, the transmission of artistic skills relies largely on informal settings that lack resources and supervision.
The project aims to transform these unwritten practices into practical tools, in order to create safe spaces for knowledge transfer, equip artists with the necessary resources, clarify roles and responsibilities, and promote fair and inclusive practices. It provides a practical toolkit, developed in collaboration with partners in the cultural sector. All artists will have access and will thus be able to act as knowledge providers, as well as ensuring safe and respectful working environments.
The tools developed as part of this project aim to contribute to a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable cultural ecosystem in which artistic rigour and the quality of the conditions for knowledge transfer go hand in hand. They will be made available free of charge and distributed widely so that any interested artists or organisations can access them. Individuals and teams will therefore be better equipped, have a greater understanding of power dynamics, and be able to handle sensitive situations. Integrated into organisational structures and training programmes, these tools will bring about a lasting transformation in artistic teaching practices, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
Contributors
CoPil
Sarah Simili Coordinator, Artist, Gender and Knowledge Transfer Expert
Nina Pigné Coordinator, Programme Officer, Diffusion
Claire Balbo Development Officer, Fundraising
Sarah Lerch Artist, Cultural Mediator, Development
Partners Encirqué Project(s), plusQ’île festival
Other partners Reboot, Zirkusquartier, Helvetiarockt, Arts_Sainement, AVDC, CCHAR (to be confirmed) and a group of experts.
Instagram @festivalencirque
Instagram @plusquile
Facebook Encirqué Project(s)
Facebook plusQ’Île Festival
Published 29.6.2026