About the Youth Circus Exchange

Cross wires, spark ideas

What is the Youth Circus Exchange?

This September, NICA will host the second Youth Circus Exchange, where emerging artists from around the country can come together to train, create, collaborate, and innovate. 

Participants will undergo four days of workshops, skill sharing, training and performing in an immersive program designed to spark ideas and collaboration.

Who is it for?

The Youth Circus Exchange is open to students aged 11 - 21 from circus and similar disciplines who are wanting to connect with like-minded youth from around Australia. Associated trainers are welcome to participate.

The exchange is a vital opportunity for students and trainers to meet, mingle, and collaborate with new people from different schools and share what they have to offer with those around them.

Where is it?

National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA):
39-59 Green Street
Prahran VIC 3181 Australia

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When is it?

21 - 24 September 2026

8:30AM - 5:00PM  |  Monday 21 September
9:00AM - 5:00PM  |  Tuesday 22 - Thursday 24 September
Includes 1-hour lunch break

What's the schedule?

  • Upon arrival at NICA, students will be guided through a safety induction of the NICA facilities.
  • Collaborate with your peers to develop an act with the guidance of NICA's expert trainers
  • Practice your specialty training in personalised workshops
  • Exchange skills and train with other artists
  • Perform your new work in front of the Youth Circus Exchange audience and support your peers as the perform theirs

How much does it cost?

$480 for the entire four-day program, inclusive of catered lunch each day.

Please note, participants will need to cover their own food (except for catered lunches), travel, and accommodation costs.

let's go auditions

$480 for the entire four-day program, inclusive of catered lunch each day.

Please note, participants will need to cover their own food (except for catered lunches), travel, and accommodation costs.

21 - 24 September 2026.

Anyone aged 11 - 21 with a passion for circus! Speak to your circus trainer or school about signing up.

The Youth Circus Exchange is for students aged 11 - 21.

The program offers the opportunity to meet like-minded, circus-obsessed, creatively driven young people and collaborate.

Workshops have a focus on act creation, skill exchanges, and performance training. There will also be time for regular circus skills training.

Unfortunately there is a lack of on-street car parking availability around NICA, and the roads surrounding NICA have limited street parking.

Stonnington Council operates a number of outdoor car parks that are a short walk from NICA. These include:

- Windsor Station Carpark, 28 Chapel Street - ticketing paid parking, Monday - Sunday all day
- James Street Carpark, 8 Lincoln Place - free 2 hour parking, Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm

Yes! There's both train and tram access to NICA:

From Flinders Street Station take the Sandringham Line train to Windsor or Prahran Stations. 

The number 6 Glen Iris tram runs along Swanston Street. Or the number 78 Chapel Street tram. The closest stop is on the corner of High and Chapel Streets. Trams operate from 5.30am to 12.00pm midnight and with extended services available on Friday and Saturday nights. Visit https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/ for timetable information.

For more information about the workshops, please contact:

info@nica.com.au

1300 006 422

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our FAQs here. 

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

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