Zirkusquartier Zurich

Circ-Exchange

Circ-Exchange is a networking format featuring workshops and discussions for circus professionals. Its aim is to create a space in which artists from all over Switzerland can exchange ideas, get to know each other, move together, share experiences and get to the bottom of important questions. For example, what does the scene need? How can the contemporary circus community in Switzerland be strengthened? How can we foster creative exchange among artists?

There is a spirit of optimism in Switzerland’s contemporary circus scene. New formats and collaborations with other performing arts are emerging everywhere, and traditional methods and concepts are being radically scrutinised. In order to absorb, bundle and channel the resulting energy, a forum is needed to exchange views on urgent topics and to promote knowledge transfer through input from experts. Because of this urgency and in order to respond to the developments and needs of the scene, Zirkusquartier hosts Circ-Exchange.

In 2024, we worked on advancing the Circ-Exchange concept in collaboration with professional circus artists Caro Wuttke and Luisa Schmitz and organised the very first Circ-Exchange Week – a great success. In 2025 and 2026, we plan to further hone and develop the format.

In 2025, Circ-Exchange will consist of three meetings for professional circus practitioners focusing on the topics of collective work, diffusion and promotion, each with input from experts. During Circ-Exchange Week, circus professionals spend a week in the Zirkusquartier and exchange ideas on fair practice in the field of contemporary circus. The week will be hosted by Luisa Schmitz and Caro Wuttke, with expert workshops on the topic of fair practice.