Podiumacademie Lier – Circus in Lier

The Podiumacademie Lier is a performing arts academy located in Lier , in the province of Antwerp . It primarily offers training in music , theatre and dance , in addition to a dedicated circus arts program in Lier.

Unlike a simple internship or a one-off introduction, the circus is organized as a progressive course allowing children and teenagers to practice for several years.

A circus journey structured in stages

The first steps can be taken from the age of 6 with Circusinitiatie .

This first step is aimed at children aged 6 and 7 and allows them to gradually discover the world of the circus in a setting adapted to their age.

From the age of 8 , students can continue with Circusatelier .

This second course is for children aged 8 to 11 and allows them to deepen their practice over several years.

From the age of 12 , young people can join Circusstudio .

Aimed at teenagers aged 12 to 15 , this third level constitutes a continuation of the journey and allows for further development of the technical and artistic dimensions of the practice.

The organization into Circusinitiatie , Circusatelier and then Circusstudio thus offers a coherent progression covering a large part of childhood and adolescence.

Integration into an art academy

One of the main advantages of this course is its integration within a genuine artistic academy.

The Podiumacademie Lier also develops music , dance and theatre courses in parallel.

Young people practicing circus arts therefore develop in an environment entirely devoted to the performing arts .

This proximity to other artistic disciplines offers a particularly interesting context for developing not only circus technique but also stage presence , movement , expression and creativity .

Artistic performances and projects

The Podiumacademie regularly organizes performances , public exams , group projects and artistic events .

Students thus develop in an environment where public presentation and creation are naturally part of artistic learning.

The academy notably organizes the LIERische Kunsten , an event bringing together different disciplines and creations developed within its training programs.

The circus program is part of this logic of progressive learning and discovery of the performing arts.

Educational continuity over several years

The structure also has a genuine educational continuity: a child can start with Circusinitiatie , continue for several years in Circusatelier and then join Circusstudio in adolescence.

This organization helps to prevent the circus from being offered solely as a one-off activity.

The classes follow the school year and therefore constitute regular practice.

For the year 2026-2027 , the Podiumacademie continues this curriculum and welcomes both students already enrolled and new participants.

A circus offering concentrated in Lier

Circus activities are concentrated in Lier , unlike music, theatre and dance classes which are also offered in several partner municipalities.

The Podiumacademie has locations in Lier , Berlaar , Boechout , Duffel , Lint , Malle , Nijlen , Ranst and Zandhoven .

The circus curriculum, however, remains specifically linked to Lier .

This unique feature makes it an attractive offering in the local arts education landscape.

The Podiumacademie Lier is therefore not an independent circus school in the traditional sense of the term, but it does offer regular , structured and organized circus training over several years .

For a directory intended to help families find a place to practice circus arts, this offer fully deserves to be listed.

It allows children to start from age 6 and continue their learning until age 15 in a multidisciplinary environment entirely devoted to the performing arts.