Circus

Subtopia works to create opportunities for circus artists to be able to create, produce and tour. The focus is on promoting the infrastructure of the circus field, supporting creation and production, and spreading knowledge about contemporary circus. We do this by way of residencies, workshops, counselling, capacity building and audience development, generally in collaboration with other stakeholders. The starting point for our work is always the needs that are currently defined in the circus field.

How does Subtopia promote the circus?

Since 2008 Subtopia has worked to promote contemporary circus. Over the years, the circus field has evolved and its needs have changed. That’s why the focus of our work has shifted as well. What has been a constant premise for Subtopia is that we defend the interests of the individual artist and advocate for artistic freedom.

Create, produce and present

Subtopia supports circus artists in various stages of the process of a performance, from artistic exploration to planning tours. This can involve providing venues for research or rehearsal, or creating opportunities for touring or co-producing. A core element of promotional activities is offering circus residencies where the artists are given time and space to research, develop and create.

For many years Subtopia has worked to promote the Swedish circus field internationally and nationally. A project that set the tone was Subcase (2009–2022), a showcase where Swedish and Nordic circus artists presented performances to presenters from Sweden and all over the world.

Needs have changed in recent years, both from a sustainability perspective and because so many quality circus performances are being created in Sweden today. There are now many more organisations across Sweden who offer production support and performance opportunities. Since the pandemic, Subtopia has increasingly focused on the question of how we can create more opportunities for Swedish artists to perform in Sweden. This requires increased knowledge on the part of organisers and the public. One specific way to engage with these questions is the annual circus festival CirkusMania which Subtopia initiated and has continued to organise since 2019. During the festival, organisers from the Stockholm region come together to present a broad circus programme over 10 days.

Subtopia also presents the circus arts to the public in various ways. We provide free performances for Botkyrka residents, we organise performances together with other venues and we present open rehearsals in connection with residencies. A few times a year we also present circus performances in our venue Hangaren which has a specially adapted ceiling height.

Would you like to know more about how we work, and how you can collaborate with us? Get in touch!

Networks

The work of strengthening circus art is based on years of national and international relationship building. By actively participating in circus networks, we create new opportunities and resources for Swedish companies and professionals. The circus networks that Subtopia participates in are: Samovar Circles, W/ Production network, Baltic Nordic Circus Network (BNCN), Circostrada och Circusnext.