Go back RĪGAS CIRKS RESIDENCY PROGRAM: OPEN CALL FOR CIRCUS ARTISTS
Application deadline: 31 October 2026
Results announced: 20 November 2026
Residency periods:
16–29 March 2027 at Rīgas cirks
16–29 March 2027 at Riga Circus School
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Rīgas cirks Residency Programme welcomes applications from contemporary circus artists and artist groups (up to four people, working in any circus discipline) from Lithuania, Estonia, and the Nordic countries.
The programme is conceived as a laboratory for new forms of artistic research and practice within the field of circus. Based in Riga, Latvia, the residency will host two artists or artist groups simultaneously in two separate spaces. During the residency, artists are expected to develop ideas for new creations.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Please submit the following:
- A short written application (max. 3,600 characters) outlining who you are and the project you wish to develop during the residency. Please indicate your preferred working space – Rīgas cirks arena or premises of the Riga Circus School;
- Visual material (e.g. video footage, photographs, sketches) of the project or its concept – optional;
- Information on technical requirements;
- A portfolio of previous work – optional.
Please submit your application documents by 31 October 2026 via e-mail: rezidences@cirks.lv
WORKING SPACES
Space 1 – Rīgas cirks arena
- Diameter: 11 m / frontal stage: up to 10 × 10 m
- Height: 11.65 m
- 76 rigging points and floor anchor points
- Shared kitchen, dressing room, and showers
- Technical support: rigging, lighting, and sound facilities
Space 2 – Riga Circus School (Sports Hall)
- Width: 7.4 m, Length: 21.1 m, Height: 5.1 m (4.6 m to the beam)
- 9 rigging points, including 3 for vertical dance (no wall or floor anchors)
- Acrobatic mats, air track, landing mats
- Showers and changing rooms with lockers
- Shared lounge with tea/coffee-making facilities and basic food-heating equipment
WHAT WE OFFER
- A dedicated space to develop your ideas and create new work;
- Technical support;
- A residency grant of EUR 400 per person;
- A daily allowance of EUR 35 per person;
- Travel costs covered up to EUR 300 per person (economy travel to/from Riga);
- Accommodation in an apartment.
WHAT WE EXPECT
- A presentation of the outcome, such as a work-in-progress showing, workshop, or artist talk;
- Credit to Rīgas cirks as a supporter in all communications related to the residency and the work developed during it;
- Should the performance be presented outside the framework of the residency at a later stage, the Artist agrees to offer a 50% discount for its presentation at an event organised by Rīgas cirks.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Artists in residence must hold valid personal accident insurance covering both rehearsals and performances for all participants;
- Technical requirements should be specified in the application. Additional requests arising during the residency will be considered but cannot be guaranteed;
- It is not permitted to use materials or tools that may damage the premises or equipment or require additional cleaning (e.g. loose materials such as sand, incense, liquids). The use of fire is strictly prohibited;
- Working hours in the residency spaces are 9:00–17:00 daily.
CONTACTS
Curator of the residency programme: Odrija Kalve
E-mail: rezidences@cirks.lv
The Rīgas cirks Residency Programme is supported by the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture.
