Cologne Circus School

Kölner Spielecircus eV is a circus school and cultural education association located in Cologne, in the Vogelsang district, Germany.

Founded in 1983 , the organization has over forty years of experience in teaching circus arts to children, teenagers and families.

His project is based on a participatory philosophy summarized by his German motto "Mitmachen, Mitlachen – Ausprobieren, Selbermachen" , which invites everyone to participate, laugh, experiment and learn for themselves.

Since 2015 , the Kölner Spielecircus has had its own facilities in Cologne-Vogelsang. These spaces host a full-fledged permanent school, holiday camps, occasional workshops, educational training courses and various events.

Weekly classes

The school offers a program of weekly courses for children and teenagers aged 4 to 18 .

The youngest children can discover circus arts from the age of four thanks to Flohzirkus, a playful introduction allowing them to experience the first exercises in balance, gymnastics, trapeze and object manipulation.

School-aged children can then join the Zirkus Kids groups and general circus classes.

These workshops offer a multidisciplinary discovery combining juggling, acrobatics, balance techniques and aerial disciplines.

The students experiment with different materials and apparatus, including Chinese plates, diabolos, flowersticks, juggling objects, balance wire and trapeze.

The teaching allows each participant to develop their coordination, concentration, body control and confidence while discovering the disciplines that best match their desires.

Specialized courses

The Kölner Spielecircus also offers several specialized courses.

The acrobatics and aerial arts workshops allow participants to work on the trapeze, aerial silks, hoop and net, as well as various acrobatic techniques on the ground.

An advanced group accommodates students who already possess significant experience in these disciplines.

Specific gymnastics and trampoline classes complement the educational offering. Participants can work on mini-trampolines, AirTrack, and gymnastics tracks.

Artistic creation and stage experience

The school also places great importance on artistic creation and stage experience.

Two performance groups, Rampenlämpchen and Rampenlichter , allow young people wishing to deepen their practice to participate in a collective creative work.

These groups are an extension of regular classes and offer students the opportunity to develop acts intended to be presented in front of an audience.

Inclusion and pedagogy

One of the major characteristics of the Kölner Spielecircus lies in its commitment to inclusion .

All of the school's courses are designed to promote the participation of children and adolescents, regardless of their abilities or individual characteristics.

The association develops a pedagogy in which everyone can find their place and participate in activities according to their abilities.

It also organizes a specific course called Sternschnuppen , intended for young people aged 10 to 18 with disabilities.

This workshop offers a suitable environment allowing participants to discover several circus disciplines while respecting the needs and abilities of each participant.

Inclusive circus days are also organised for families and teenagers.

The association's teaching method prioritizes personal experience over performance comparison.

Each student is encouraged to experiment, discover their talents and actively participate in collective creations.

The circus thus becomes a tool for motor, artistic, social and personal development.

External interventions and training

Beyond its permanent school, the Kölner Spielecircus develops a significant external outreach activity.

The association works with kindergartens, primary schools, specialized establishments, middle and high schools as well as after-school care facilities.

It offers, in particular, discovery days, circus project weeks, participatory activities and collective creations that can lead to a performance.

These interventions allow children to experience circus arts in their school environment, without necessarily being enrolled in permanent school.

One-week courses are also offered during school holidays, with the exception of the Christmas holidays.

The Kölner Spielecircus also organizes training courses for teachers, educators, facilitators and other professionals wishing to integrate circus techniques into their educational activities.

The facilities

Its facilities include two training areas, a foyer, changing rooms with showers and toilets, as well as an outdoor area equipped with a marquee-type cover.

The premises are designed to promote accessibility and accommodate diverse audiences.

With its history dating back to 1983 , its annual course program, its creative groups, its work with schools and its commitment to inclusion, the Kölner Spielecircus is an important amateur circus school in Cologne's cultural landscape.