The Arc en Cirque Regional Circus Arts Centre, located in Chambéry, is one of the leading venues dedicated to the development of circus arts in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Much more than a circus school, it is a true hub for creation, knowledge sharing, and artistic support, bringing together professional training, amateur practice, cultural outreach, artist residencies, and support for new circus writing under one roof. Throughout the year, Arc en Cirque opens its doors to emerging and up-and-coming companies, as well as professional artists seeking suitable workspaces to create, experiment, rehearse, or maintain their practice.
Conceived as a genuine tool for contemporary creation, artist residencies allow artistic teams to develop their projects in an environment entirely dedicated to circus arts. Whether it's a first creation, a new stage of research, rehearsals before a tour, or laboratory work on a circus discipline, Arc en Cirque provides its equipment, expertise, and experience to support artists in the best possible conditions. Each residency is individually tailored to closely meet the technical and artistic needs of the host companies.
The artists benefit from exceptionally comprehensive professional facilities. The center notably features a permanent 18-meter diameter big top, with a dome reaching 8.50 meters in height, offering a workspace suitable for numerous aerial and acrobatic disciplines. The 8 x 10-meter ring allows for rehearsals in conditions close to those of a performance, while the 250-seat bleachers provide the possibility of organizing residency showcases, work-in-progress presentations, or public performances when desired. In addition to these spaces, there are three training rooms totaling over 430 m², including two rooms with sprung floors of 103 m² and 109 m² respectively, allowing for the practice of aerial disciplines, acrobatic techniques, balance, object manipulation, and acting in a safe environment.
Creation and rehearsal residencies are designed for companies wishing to develop a show or pursue an artistic process. Arc en Cirque provides its spaces with basic lighting and adapts its facilities to the nature of the project. To apply, companies must submit an artistic portfolio presenting their work, proposing several residency periods, and a detailed description of their technical needs. The goal is to create a residency that is consistent with the project's constraints while fostering the best possible working conditions. This flexibility allows us to accommodate a wide variety of forms, from intimate solo performances to collective creations requiring significant workloads.
Alongside these artistic residencies, Arc en Cirque also offers training programs for professional artists seeking a space to maintain their technical skills, prepare a new act, pursue personal research, or work on their performance before resuming touring. These sessions are offered Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in spaces shared with students of the Professional Training Center. This proximity naturally fosters exchanges between established artists and aspiring professionals, while creating a particularly stimulating daily dynamic within the center.
To access these training residencies, each artist must submit a preliminary request by email, indicating their full name, date of birth, postal address, the name and registered office of their company, their telephone and email contact information, and the desired duration of the training, whether it be an annual registration or specific weeks. A certificate of civil liability insurance, issued in the name of the artist or their company, must also be provided. After reviewing the application, Arc en Cirque will draw up a training residency agreement. Before the first day of their stay, artists must have signed this agreement, paid the corresponding fees, and hold a valid FFEC (French Federation of Circus Schools) license, or obtain one directly from the center.
The rates for creative and rehearsal residencies for the 2026-2027 season are set at €12 per person per day for the use of spaces with basic lighting. Artists without a FFEC license must pay an additional fee of €7.70 for a weekly license or €35.50 for an annual license. During the winter months, a supplement to cover heating costs may also be applied, depending on the needs.
Training residences are available at a rate of €10 per person per day, or as an annual subscription of €200 per person, valid from September to June. Again, a FFEC license is mandatory if the artist does not already hold one, with the same rates of €7.70 for one week or €35.50 for one year.
Beyond its role in hosting companies, Arc en Cirque actively participates in the development of contemporary circus in France. Its Professional Training Center guides aspiring artists towards entrance exams for leading national and international schools, while its Amateur Practice Center offers courses and workshops for all levels. The institution also develops numerous cultural initiatives, social circus projects, research residencies, and the Cirq'ule festival, contributing to making Chambéry a dynamic hub for circus arts creation.
By welcoming artists at every stage of their career, from initial research to final rehearsals before performance, Arc en Cirque affirms its commitment to the long-term support of contemporary creation. Its big top, specialized performance spaces, high-quality equipment, the support offered by its team, and the rich exchanges between professionals, students, and companies make this venue a true laboratory dedicated to circus arts. The residencies offered provide artists with a top-tier technical environment, conducive to experimentation, innovation, and the creation of new shows that will then be presented to audiences in France and internationally.