Closing panel with the international networks Circostrada, FEDEC, EYCO and Caravan Circus Network

The conference 'Circus - a safe(r) space for danger' is organised in partnership with the international networks Circostrada, FEDEC, EYCO and Caravan Circus Network.

Throughout their careers, circus practitioners move from one role to another. From informal to formal scenarios, taking up roles as educators, artists or organizers; creating or performing, both on-stage and behind the scenes. While moving between these worlds, safety is key. Each of the networks plays an important role in supporting the circus sector in all this diversity of roles and worlds. They are complementary to each other.

During the closing panel we will talk about the added value of the networks in creating a safe(r) space for circus practioners. We'll look back together with the networks at the learnings of the conference and look ahead to the future for a safer circus. The panel will be moderated by Valentina Barone, coordinator at Around About Circus.

Panelists

Laura Jude is international project manager at Circostrada, the European Network for Contemporary Circus and Outdoor Arts. She has gained experience in international project management, with a background encompassing cultural entrepreneurship, diplomatic cooperation, and cultural entrepreneurship development. She contributed to various projects with a focus on creative consultancy and was involved in the creation of European projects and funding proposals, navigating programmes like Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. For the past four years, she has taken on the role of production and administration in Circostrada, where she contributes to the network's initiatives with dedication and expertise. Among other things, she has led the network's thinking on sustainability, fairness and accessibility. Her commitment to various projects reflects a genuine passion for fostering international collaboration in the cultural sector.

Bara Adolfová is a youth circus producer and researcher. She is the new Interim Development Manager of Caravan Circus Network, the international youth and social circus network of circus schools from across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, America and Asia. The network advocates for the positive impact of youth and social circus. Prior to moving to Brussels, Bara has worked with CIRQUEON in Prague for over ten years mainly on European collaborative projects for youth and circus educators. Bara is a PhD candidate at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague where she finishes writing her dissertation on youth circus advocacy. She was a visiting Fulbright-Masaryk scholar at Pennsylvania State University in 2021/22 where she conducted research on youth voice in U.S. youth circus organisations. She is now trying to connect the worlds of academia and youth circus practice in Caravan and her own research.

Lynn Carroll is Executive Director of Galway Community Circus, Director of CircusWorks and President of EYCO – the European Youth Circus Organisation. EYCO unites 12 national youth circus umbrellas across Europe. Lynn is an internationally renowned expert in circus and education, she has performed globally as a multi-disciplined circus artist with some of the most pioneering and acclaimed contemporary circus companies of the time, as well as being at the forefront of developing the UK youth circus sector for nearly 40 years.

Isabel Joly is director at FEDEC, the international network for professional circus education. After communication studies at the University of Lille, Isabel joined the European Commission in the Directorate General for Education and Culture where she experienced various departments of the European institutions before joining RESEO, the European network for opera and dance education, in 2002, of which she became the director. After 14 rewarding years, Isabel left RESEO for a Flemish musical theater organisation, Zonzo Compagnie, whose daring shows delight the ears of young audiences. She was responsible for coordinating a Big Bang festival. Since January 2018, Isabel has answered the call of FEDEC where she shares her passion for arts education with nearly 80 members worldwide, professional schools but also organisations placing circus education at the heart of their project. She is a Board member of the network Circostrada, (Paris, FR) and of the European platform circusnext.