ESAC – Brussels Higher School of Circus Arts

ESAC – École Supérieure des Arts du Cirque – is a higher education institution entirely dedicated to the professional training of circus artists . Located in Brussels, it is the only school in Belgium offering an official, degree-granting higher education program specifically dedicated to circus arts.

Founded in 2003 , ESAC is part of the development of professional education in contemporary circus in Belgium and Europe.

Its objective is to consider circus arts as a fully-fledged artistic discipline , on par with theatre, dance, music, cinema or visual arts.

The course is organized over three years of full-time study .

It leads to a Bachelor's degree in performing arts and broadcasting and communication techniques – Circus Arts option – corresponding to 180 ECTS credits in the European Bologna system.

Admission

Admission is based on selection and competition .

Candidates must already possess a solid mastery of a circus specialty before entering the school.

ESAC strongly recommends prior attendance at a preparatory school , as the level and pace of training expected are very different from recreational practice.

Excellent physical conditioning and a good level of acrobatics are also required.

The school also seeks a genuine artistic openness . Stage experience and musical practice are particularly advantageous for applicants.

Specialties and disciplines

The training is based on the main circus specialty chosen by each student.

ESAC hosts a very wide variety of disciplines.

The specialties taught may include balances , juggling and object manipulation, hand-to-hand , banquine , seesaw , Russian swing , Russian bar or Cyr wheel .

Aerial disciplines also occupy an important place.

Students can develop their specialty in aerial hoop, smooth rope, flying rope, straps, aerial silks, swinging silks, swinging trapeze, dance trapeze or Washington trapeze.

The Chinese pole, aerial and Korean frames, contortion and various forms of acrobatics complete this range.

All circus disciplines can be taught at ESAC except for the big fly.

The curriculum

Technical specialization, however, constitutes only one part of the training.

Dynamic and static acrobatics play an important role in the curriculum and contributes to building a common physical foundation for future artists.

Students simultaneously receive instruction in dance , acting , and music .

These disciplines allow them to broaden their artistic vocabulary and go beyond simply mastering the technical aspects of their apparatus.

Creation is one of the central elements of the educational project.

Creative workshops and personal projects gradually guide students in building their own artistic identity.

The goal is to train artists capable not only of executing a high-level technique, but also of developing a personal language and fully participating in the creative process of a contemporary performance.

Theoretical instruction complements this practical and artistic training.

They allow students to better understand the history, challenges and professional environment of circus arts.

The training also addresses aspects directly related to the future professional lives of artists.

Circus management, circus engineering, law, production, creative structures, sciences and sciences applied to circus arts are among those involved in this preparation.

Safety is naturally an essential dimension of education.

Infrastructure

ESAC has had a specially fitted building on the CERIA campus in Anderlecht since 2018 .

Located in the former boiler room of the campus, which has been completely renovated for circus arts practices, the school benefits from an infrastructure particularly suited to intensive professional training.

The building spans five levels .

International dimension

The school has a strong international dimension.

It welcomes students from very different backgrounds and countries and belongs to the European network of professional circus schools.

The official language of instruction is French .

However, proficiency in French is not mandatory at the time of the entrance exam.

Admitted foreign students must then quickly acquire a sufficient level to follow the practical and theoretical courses and pass the written and oral assessments.

ESAC also develops educational exchanges with other higher education institutions in circus arts.

Its presence within FEDEC places it in an international network dedicated to higher and vocational education.

Students also regularly participate in creations, public presentations, festivals and events.

These experiences allow students to test their work with the public even before the end of their studies and constitute a gradual transition to professional life.

ESAC also collaborates with various structures in the Belgian circus sector.

In particular, she participates with UP – Circus & Performing Arts and Circuscentrum in the development of preparatory courses for teenagers considering higher education in circus arts.

The establishment thus represents the culmination of a genuine training path: discovery and amateur practice, preparatory school, entrance exam and then higher professional training.

Today, ESAC occupies a special place in the Belgian circus landscape: as a higher artistic school , a high-level technical training center , a research space and a place of creation , it supports its students towards the profession of professional circus artist.