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Key people at National Centre for Circus Arts.
The National Centre for Circus Arts is a distinguished charitable organization and a premier provider of circus education across Europe. Based within a historic Victorian power station in London's Hoxton Square, the Centre offers a comprehensive BA (Hons) degree in Circus Arts, alongside structured training programs for individuals under 18, professional development opportunities for emerging and established performers, and recreational classes for diverse age groups. It also provides specialized workshops for corporate entities.
The institution was established in 1989 as "Circus Space" by a collective of circus enthusiasts who recognized a critical need for dedicated rehearsal and practice facilities for artists. This foundational insight evolved into a vision for a formal educational body, transforming the initial informal gathering into a structured environment that has since fostered circus professionals for over three decades.
The Centre serves a wide array of customers, including professional degree candidates, young aspiring artists, recreational participants, and seasoned performers seeking advanced development. Its overarching mission is to cultivate the next generation of circus talent, broaden public engagement in circus arts, and champion accessibility, ensuring continued support and growth for the entire UK circus community.
Key people at National Centre for Circus Arts.
The National Centre for Circus Arts (NCCA) is a registered charity and Europe's leading provider of circus education, offering a BA (Hons) in Circus Arts degree, professional training, youth programs, and recreational classes for thousands annually in a restored Victorian power station in London's Hoxton area.[1][2][3] It serves aspiring and professional circus artists, youth, adults, and businesses through intensive training in disciplines like acrobatics, aerials, juggling, and Cyr wheel, while fostering contemporary circus as an accessible artform; over half its income comes from grants and donations, with 93% of graduates employed in the industry three years post-graduation.[1][3][5]
Founded in 1989 as Circus Space by Jonathan Graham and volunteers in a former timber yard in North London, the organization began providing practice space, shows like "Satellites 1 and 2," and adult/youth programs.[3][4] It relocated to the derelict Shoreditch Electric Light Station in 1993, restoring it into a hub that kickstarted local regeneration, and evolved into a national center in 2014, gaining "National Centre for Circus Arts" status to boost UK circus culture.[1][3][4] Key figures include current CEO Dan Cowdrill, Director of Learning and Engagement Glen Stewart, and Head of Higher Education Delivery Adrian Porter.[2]
While not a tech entity, the NCCA rides the contemporary circus renaissance trend, blending traditional skills with modern artistry influenced by parkour, B-boying, and tricking to elevate UK circus from imported to homegrown.[3][4][8] Its timing aligns with cultural shifts toward inclusive, creative arts education amid urban regeneration (e.g., Shoreditch), supported by charity funding and partnerships like the University of Kent.[1][3] Market forces include rising demand for experiential arts in theater (National Theatre endorsements) and global circuses, influencing the ecosystem by launching 50,000+ trainees, changing perceptions, and exporting talent worldwide.[3][4][5]
The NCCA will likely expand its degree and professional programs, leveraging new courses like flying trapeze amid growing circus demand in UK/Europe.[1][7] Trends in hybrid arts (circus-theater fusion) and post-pandemic experiential events will shape it, potentially increasing grants for youth outreach and international collaborations.[2][8] Its influence may evolve into a global hub, sustaining high graduate success and UK circus leadership, building on its charity-driven model to nurture the next generation of performers.[3][5]
