Circo Art – Community School of Contemporary Circus

Circo Art – Circus arts teaching and creation association in Zadar

Circo Art is a Croatian association dedicated to contemporary circus arts and performing arts, founded in 2014 in Zadar by Xiomara Ruiz Ratković , an artist and educator of Colombian origin.

Its official name is " Udruga za scensku umjetnost – Circo Art ", which means " Association for the Performing Arts – Circo Art ".

Since its creation, the structure has developed activities combining aerial acrobatics , contemporary dance , gymnastics, theatre and choreographic creation.

She organized training sessions for children and adults, as well as shows allowing participants to present their skills in front of an audience.

An association specializing in contemporary circus

Circo Art was developed around the desire to introduce contemporary circus techniques to Zadar.

Its founder, Xiomara Ruiz Ratković , has an artistic background that combines circus, dance and stage performance.

She advocates a conception of the circus in which physical skills constitute the means of a broader artistic expression .

Learning is therefore not limited to the execution of acrobatic figures.

It also includes the development of creativity , self-confidence , and the ability to convey emotion to an audience.

This orientation is reflected in the association's training sessions and performances.

Aerial silks: a central discipline

Aerial silks is Circo Art's most clearly documented specialty.

This discipline uses two long strips of fabric suspended high up, allowing for climbs, acrobatic positions, rolls and transitions.

The exercises engage muscular strength , coordination , flexibility and body control.

The training begins with physical preparation designed to develop the abilities necessary for the practice.

Participants then learn moves adapted to their level.

According to the founder, the practice of aerial silks also allows one to develop creativity and build a personal artistic expression.

The figures can be combined with dance and music to create choreographic sequences.

Aerial silks thus occupy an important place in the educational and stage identity of the association.

Hoop, hammock, rope and trapeze

Circo Art also featured several other aerial disciplines in its programs and communications.

These include the aerial hoop , the aerial hammock , the rope and the trapeze .

These apparatuses allow you to discover different approaches to suspended acrobatics.

The hoop uses a metal ring on which practitioners can perform positions and transitions.

The aerial hammock rests on a fabric suspended in a loop, offering further possibilities for movement.

The rope and the trapeze allow for the exploration of complementary suspension and balance techniques.

These disciplines are attested in the historical presentations of the association, notably in 2022 .

However, it is not established that they all have a separate regular course for the 2026–2027 season.

Training for children and young people

Circo Art has developed an educational activity aimed at children and teenagers .

The training sessions combine physical preparation, the discovery of circus techniques and the learning of choreographic movements.

The exercises help to work on coordination , balance, flexibility and concentration.

The association also emphasizes the development of self-confidence , attention, and relationships between participants.

In 2022, she invited children to discover her activities during an introductory session organized in the Franka Lisice room, on the Zadar university campus.

Communications from this period presented activities as accessible to different generations.

The goal was to allow interested people to discover the circus and join the association's training sessions.

Activities for adults

Circo Art also offered training courses for adults .

In particular, a discovery session was organised in October 2022 in a room at the Ravnice sports centre.

The activities allowed participants to discover aerial silks and other physical practices related to contemporary circus.

The association presents its disciplines as accessible to people with different experiences and physical abilities.

The work begins with appropriate preparation, before the progressive learning of the figures.

The training helps to develop strength , mobility and coordination .

The artistic dimension is also present, notably through dance and the composition of sequences.

A teaching method that combines technique and expression

Xiomara Ruiz Ratković's pedagogical approach is based on a link between physical skills and artistic creation .

In an interview published in 2022, she explained that training begins with strength exercises before moving on to technical moves.

Participants then progress according to their level.

However, the association does not consider training to be simply sports preparation.

It also seeks to develop emotions, self-confidence, and personal expression.

Choreographic creation makes it possible to link learned movements to a story or an artistic intention.

The performances thus become an extension of the work done during the sessions.

Choreographic projects prepared over several months

Circo Art supported its members in preparing creations intended to be presented to an audience.

According to its founder, some choreographies require four to six months of preparation.

This work allows participants to deepen the techniques learned and to gradually build a stage proposal.

The creations may combine aerial silks, dance and other forms of bodily expression.

This approach gives students the opportunity to discover the different stages of preparing a show.

It also helps to develop cooperation , concentration and the ability to perform in front of an audience.

The association thus has a dual identity: an amateur teaching structure and an artistic creation collective .

A presence in the cultural life of Zadar

Since its founding, Circo Art has participated in various cultural events in Zadar and its region.

The association has notably performed at KalelargArt , KvartArt and events dedicated to dance.

She has also performed at the Croatian National Theatre in Zadar, the Arsenal Cultural Centre and at other events.

His productions include the shows " Bolji svijet " and " Povratak u prirodu ".

These projects combine contemporary circus, dance and stage research.

Participating in public events allows Circo Art to introduce circus arts to a wider audience.

It also offers experienced members opportunities for artistic presentation.

An appearance on the show Supertalent

Circo Art gained national visibility through its participation in the Croatian show Supertalent in 2016 .

Xiomara Ruiz Ratković presented a contemporary circus act there with an artistic partner from the association.

This participation helped to showcase the aerial and choreographic work developed in Zadar.

The show also helped to draw attention to disciplines that are still underrepresented in the local artistic offerings.

This experience demonstrates the association's stage activity and its ambition to promote contemporary forms of circus.

The Ravnice sports center

The Ravnice sports and recreation center is one of Circo Art's historic training locations.

Located in Ravnice 2, in Zadar, it hosts various sports and artistic associations.

Its official website mentions Circo Art among the organizations using its facilities for training.

This information confirms the link between the association and this place of practice.

However, it does not allow us to determine whether current courses are still being held there under the same conditions.

In 2022, Circo Art also used a room located on the Zadar university campus for some activities intended for children.

It is therefore best to check the exact location of the courses before directing new participants.

An activity recognized within professional networks

Circo Art is featured in the professional map of contemporary circus published by Circostrada .

The association is listed there among Croatian artists and circus companies, with Xiomara Ruiz Ratković as the reference person.

This presence confirms his recognition in the artistic sector.

The association has also benefited from public support for its projects.

The City of Zadar has notably included its " Circo Art 2017: Circus art and pedagogy in Zadar " program in its cultural funding.

This project included several workshops dedicated to the transmission of circus arts.

These elements illustrate the historical continuity of his educational commitment.

An administrative activity that still exists

The Croatian FINA register still identifies Circo Art as an active non-profit association.

Its registered office is located at Ulica Stanka Vraza 10, in Zadar.

This address corresponds to the legal structure and should not be confused with a training studio.

Accessible sources confirm teaching and creative activities between 2014 and 2022 .

However, no sufficiently precise public announcement has been found to confirm enrollments, teachers and course locations for the 2026–2027 season.

Active administrative status does not, in itself, constitute proof of continued weekly training.

A private school to be considered with caution.

Circo Art has a solid history of teaching circus arts in Zadar.

The association welcomed children and adults, developed a specialization in aerial disciplines and supported its members in choreographic creations.

Her activity combines physical preparation, technical learning, dance and artistic expression.

It also contributes to the dissemination of contemporary circus through its shows and its participation in cultural events.

For a specialist directory, Circo Art can be classified as an amateur circus and artistic teaching association.

However, it is necessary to confirm directly with the organization that the courses are still open for registration in 2026–2027.

No professional degree programs have been identified.