KunstenHuis Idea – Circusschool

KunstenHuis Idea is a Dutch cultural center offering artistic training in several disciplines, including music, dance, theatre, visual arts and circus arts.

His circus school is located in Soest, in the province of Utrecht, in the Netherlands.

Integrated into the Theaterschool department, it offers regular courses for children and teenagers wishing to discover or deepen their knowledge of circus techniques.

The establishment welcomes students from 6 to 20 years old, depending on the groups, and develops a pedagogy combining technical learning, artistic expression and collective creation.

A circus school for children and teenagers

KunstenHuis Idea offers several courses adapted to the age and experience of the participants.

Younger children can discover circus arts through introductory courses.

These courses allow you to experience different activities and develop the initial skills necessary for circus practice.

Children learn to better understand their bodies, to master their movements and to develop their coordination.

The exercises also promote concentration , self-confidence and perseverance .

Students can then join regular classes to further develop their skills.

Circus disciplines

The teaching is based on the discovery and improvement of circus techniques.

Participants work on balance, coordination, strength, flexibility and agility.

Acrobatic exercises help develop body control and explore different movement possibilities.

The school also offers training in aerial techniques.

These activities allow students to discover working at heights and to develop the physical qualities necessary for this practice.

Participants are gradually encouraged to choose the techniques they wish to explore further.

Education thus makes it possible to build a personalized learning path according to each individual's abilities and interests.

A progression organized by age groups

The program includes several levels.

The Circus 1 group welcomes children aged 7 to 11.

It allows you to discover the fundamental techniques and to gradually develop the physical skills necessary for the practice.

The Circus 2 group is aimed at young people aged 11 to 14.

Participants deepen their knowledge and work on more demanding exercises.

The Circus Productie 14+ group welcomes teenagers and young adults aged 14 to 20.

This course combines technical development and the preparation of artistic creations.

Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and participate in the creation of acts.

Introductory courses for beginners

KunstenHuis Idea also offers Circusstart programs.

These short courses allow children to discover circus arts before committing to longer training.

The courses are organized for children aged 6 to 8 and 9 to 11.

Each cycle comprises six sessions .

This formula constitutes a first approach to circus arts education.

Children discover different techniques and can then continue their learning in regular groups.

An approach combining circus and theatre

One of the distinctive features of KunstenHuis Idea is its integration into a theatre school.

Circus arts are considered there as a fully-fledged artistic discipline .

Education is not limited to the development of physical abilities.

Students also learn to use their skills to create and present acts.

The school encourages imagination, personal expression, and creativity.

The exercises can be combined with stage research to develop stage presence in front of an audience.

This approach promotes the discovery of contemporary circus and its links with other performing arts.

Public shows and presentations

Students participate in artistic presentations during their studies.

These events allow for the sharing of skills acquired during training.

The young people discover the different stages necessary to prepare a show.

They learn to build sequences, to work collectively and to present their creations in front of an audience.

The Circus Productie 14+ group attaches particular importance to this artistic dimension.

Participants are supported in the development of their projects and in the preparation of performances.

Performances can be organized in KunstenHuis Idea theatres or as part of cultural events.

An experienced teacher

Circus instruction is notably provided by Jopie Leenhouts .

She began practicing acrobatics during her adolescence before continuing her training at a circus school.

She also trained as a drama teacher.

Her background includes teaching experience at Circus Elleboog , a historic Dutch circus structure.

She then founded Circus Jopie in Utrecht.

Since 2008, she has been teaching circus arts at KunstenHuis Idea.

This experience allows for the combination of technical learning, pedagogy, and artistic expression.

A multidisciplinary cultural environment

KunstenHuis Idea develops its activities in several municipalities in the province of Utrecht.

The institution offers artistic training in the fields of music, dance, theatre and visual arts.

This diversity helps to foster encounters between different artistic practices.

The school also has theatres that host performances and educational projects.

Students can thus develop in an environment where artistic creation plays an important role.

An active school in 2026-2027

The official 2026-2027 program confirms the continuation of circus classes in Soest.

The season begins during the week of September 7, 2026 .

The annual courses generally include 34 sessions and an artistic presentation.

The groups are organized according to age and skill level.

The school also offers short discovery courses and trial sessions.

Thanks to its regular teaching, professional teaching team and opportunities for progression, KunstenHuis Idea is an interesting structure for children and teenagers wishing to practice circus arts in Soest.

His approach combines physical development, technical learning and artistic expression, with a significant emphasis on the enjoyment of practice and collective creation.