Circusplaneet vzw – Ghent Circus School

Circusplaneet is a major circus school and socio-artistic organization based in Ghent. Founded in 1996 , it uses circus arts as a means of artistic learning but also as a tool for meeting, personal development and social cohesion.

From its inception, the organization has championed the idea that everyone should be able to find their place in the circus . Children, teenagers, adults, and seniors can thus discover and develop different disciplines in an open, welcoming environment that is attentive to the diversity of participants.

A multidisciplinary approach

The youngest children gradually discover the circus through activities adapted to their age and motor development.

The courses then allow students to explore the different major families of circus arts through a multidisciplinary approach.

Multi-circus arts play an important role in this program. They allow for the development of versatile skills and the discovery of various techniques before potentially choosing specific disciplines to explore further.

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is one of the main focuses of the teaching.

Circusplaneet offers different levels allowing both beginners to start acrobatics and those who want to progress towards a more advanced practice.

Group acrobatics is also developed through partner acro classes. This discipline combines technique, balance, communication, and trust between partners.

Acroyoga complements this approach by combining lifts, balances and bodywork in pairs or groups.

Handstands also benefit from specific classes. Participants can thus progressively develop their handstand technique.

Aerial disciplines

Aerial disciplines constitute another particularly developed area of Circusplaneet.

Several levels of aerial acrobatics are offered, from initiation to advanced groups.

Aerial hoop also has its own teaching methods.

Occasional modules allow students to discover or delve deeper into other disciplines. For example, the Chinese pole is one of the techniques offered in the recent program.

Circusplaneet thus seeks to combine a multidisciplinary base accessible to the greatest number with opportunities for specialization for practitioners wishing to go further.

An offer for adults

Adults have access to a particularly well-developed program.

They can start circus without prior experience or deepen a discipline already practiced through the different levels offered.

Physical training specifically designed for the circus complements this offer and allows the development of the physical qualities necessary for the different disciplines.

Those who are sufficiently independent also have access to Community Training sessions.

These open training sessions create a space where participants can practice, experiment and exchange with other circus performers outside of traditional classes.

The circus throughout life

Circusplaneet also offers activities for seniors. Multi-circus sessions for those aged 60 and over allow them to discover circus arts in an adapted format.

This diversity of ages reflects the general philosophy of the structure: the circus is not reserved for a particular profile and can become a space for practice throughout life.

Inclusion and social work

Inclusion and social work constitute a fundamental dimension of Circusplaneet.

The organization uses the circus as a tool to create links between people of different origins, ages, and backgrounds.

In particular, it develops projects in several districts of Ghent and works in collaboration with social, educational and cultural actors.

Circusplaneet hopes that financial, social or personal obstacles will not automatically be a barrier to participation.

The City of Ghent explicitly identifies its activities as accessible to people with disabilities.

Circus pedagogy

Circus training is also used to develop skills that go far beyond simply performing tricks.

Cooperation, trust, enjoyment, the ability to take initiative, risk management and the development of personal identity are central elements of his pedagogy.

Artistic creation

Artistic creation also occupies an important place.

With its Vers Talent program, Circusplaneet supports non-professional artists from the age of 14 in their creative process.

Young people can work alone or in groups and benefit from support that allows them to transform their technical skills into a genuine artistic project.

Some projects are hosted in residence and can benefit from collaborations with professional actors in contemporary circus such as Miramiro .

This bridge between amateur practice, creation and the professional sector is a particularly interesting characteristic of Circusplaneet.

School internships and interventions

Circus workshops organized during the holidays also allow children and young people to practice more intensively.

Several training courses are organised according to age and in different districts of Ghent.

Circusplaneet also works with schools, developing tailor-made projects.

Circus is then used as an artistic and educational tool, but also to work on cooperation, trust, expression and socio-emotional skills.

A cultural and international foundation

The organization also develops significant cultural activities in the neighborhoods where it is located.

Planeet Malem, for example, has become a neighbourhood circus festival offering shows, workshops, music and entertainment accessible to the public.

Circusplaneet also participates in major cultural events in Ghent and is one of the organizers associated with the Gentse Feesten.

Its local roots are complemented by an international dimension. Circusplaneet participates in youth exchanges and is part of the international Caravan network, dedicated in particular to social circus and circus pedagogy.

The Circuskerk of Malem

One of the organization's iconic venues is the Circuskerk in Malem , a former church transformed into a space dedicated to the circus.

This project has made it possible to create a true meeting place between practitioners, professional artists, local residents and community partners.

Professional artists also use Circusplaneet's spaces to train and develop their creations, strengthening the exchanges between amateur practice and the professional world.

Much more than a circus school

Circusplaneet is therefore much more than just a series of weekly classes.

The organization combines circus school, free practice, artistic creation, social circus, neighborhood projects, internships, school interventions, festivals and professional collaborations.

This combination allows us to support a child discovering their first techniques, an adult beginner, a senior citizen wishing to practice multi-circus, or a young artist developing their first creation.

After thirty years of existence, Circusplaneet is now a major player in the learning and development of circus arts in Ghent.