Zirkushalle Dornbirn

Zirkushalle Dornbirn is a circus school and artistic creation center located in Dornbirn, in the Vorarlberg region of western Austria.

Managed by the Zack & Poing association, it provides a meeting and learning space for circus arts enthusiasts, whether they are beginners, experienced amateurs or professional artists.

The organization offers a varied program including weekly classes for children and teenagers, training for adults, specialized workshops, shows and educational projects for schools.

His teaching combines traditional circus techniques with contemporary disciplines, in an approach that emphasizes creativity, the joy of practice, and personal development.

Circus classes for children aged 6 and up

The Zirkushalle Dornbirn offers a program called Zirkus-Werkstatt , aimed primarily at children aged 6 to 12.

These workshops allow young participants to discover different circus disciplines in an environment adapted to their age.

Children can experience juggling, unicycling, balancing, acrobatics and aerial disciplines.

The teaching encourages curiosity, creativity, and the pleasure of discovering new possibilities for movement.

Participants progress at their own pace, without competitive pressure .

The activities also promote cooperation, mutual support, and self-confidence.

Juggling and object manipulation

Juggling plays an important role in the activities offered.

Children and adults can discover different manipulation techniques with scarves, balls and diabolos.

Specialized workshops also allow for in-depth study of certain disciplines.

The exercises develop coordination, concentration, precision and a sense of rhythm.

Juggling can be practiced individually or collectively and integrated into artistic acts.

Unicycle and balance disciplines

The Zirkushalle Dornbirn offers several activities dedicated to balance.

Participants can discover unicycling, tightrope walking, balance ball and rola-bola.

These disciplines help to develop stability, coordination and body control.

Learning is based on a progression adapted to the level of the practitioners.

The exercises also encourage perseverance and confidence in one's physical abilities.

Ground acrobatics

Floor acrobatics is one of the disciplines taught at the center.

The courses allow you to discover different acrobatic techniques, including hand balances, gymnastic movements and figures performed on the ground.

Participants also work on physical conditioning, muscle strengthening, flexibility and coordination.

The exercises are suitable for beginners as well as more experienced practitioners.

The teaching prioritizes technical progression without seeking competitive performance .

Aerial silks, trapeze and aerial hoop

Aerial disciplines are an important specialty of the Zirkushalle Dornbirn.

Children aged 6 and up can participate in introductory courses to discover aerial silks, trapeze and aerial hoop.

The sessions begin with a group warm-up before gradually introducing suspension techniques and the first figures.

Students develop their strength, flexibility, coordination and body control.

The classes also allow students to work on short choreographic sequences.

An end-of-year performance is offered to participants who wish to present their learning to their loved ones.

Advanced courses are also organized for practitioners who already have experience in aerial disciplines.

An art project for teenagers

Zirkushalle Dornbirn offers a specific group called Jugend-Ensemble , intended for teenagers from the age of 12.

This program allows young people to develop their skills in several circus disciplines.

Participants can practice aerial acrobatics, hula-hoop, diabolo, juggling and ball balancing.

The teaching combines technical learning and artistic creation.

Teenagers are encouraged to develop their own choreographies and to participate in a group performance at the end of the year.

This approach allows you to discover the different stages of creating a circus show.

Activities for young children and families

The organization also offers circus arts discovery activities for younger children.

Parent-child sessions allow families to participate together in movement workshops and circus arts initiation.

The activities are organized in the form of games and exercises adapted to the abilities of the participants.

They help to develop motor skills, balance, coordination and self-confidence.

These sessions provide an initial introduction to circus arts before enrolling in regular classes.

Courses for adults

Zirkushalle Dornbirn also welcomes adults wishing to discover or deepen their knowledge of a circus discipline.

The program includes courses in ground acrobatics, hand balancing, juggling, and aerial acrobatics.

Participants can develop their technical skills while improving their strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Specialized workshops are also offered focusing on diabolo, hula-hoop and Cyr wheel.

The activities are designed for different levels of practice.

Weekly open training sessions

In addition to the supervised classes, the centre organizes an open training session for adults every Monday evening .

These sessions allow practitioners to work on the disciplines of their choice in a fully equipped space.

Participants can practice juggling, unicycling, balancing, aerial acrobatics, acroyoga and handstands.

Everyone can bring their own equipment or use the equipment available on site.

The training sessions also promote encounters and exchanges between circus enthusiasts.

Clown and artistic expression

The Zirkushalle Dornbirn offers a program dedicated to the art of clowning.

Participants can discover different techniques of improvisation, theatrical play and character creation.

The workshops allow participants to work on stage presence, body expression and the relationship with the audience.

Longer training courses are also offered for those wishing to delve deeper into this discipline.

The center organizes, among other things, clown workshops and artistic gatherings.

A training course in circus pedagogy

The Zirkushalle Dornbirn also hosts specialized training in circus pedagogy .

This course is organised in collaboration with the German organisation JoJo , specialising in the training of circus educators.

The training lasts for two years and is aimed in particular at teachers, educators, artists and people wishing to develop a professional activity in teaching circus arts.

The program combines technical learning, pedagogical reflection, and the development of skills necessary for leading groups.

The currently announced session ends at the end of 2026 .

This activity distinguishes Zirkushalle Dornbirn from a simple leisure school.

Circus workshops during the holidays

The centre also organises courses for children and teenagers during school holidays.

These activities allow you to discover different disciplines or to perfect techniques already acquired.

The workshops combine juggling, acrobatics, balancing and artistic creation.

Camps are being offered in Dornbirn and Feldkirch, among other places.

These programs allow young participants to experience a collective activity centered around circus arts.

Educational projects in schools

Zirkushalle Dornbirn also works with schools.

It offers one-off workshops, multi-day projects and intensive circus weeks.

Students can discover different disciplines, including juggling, balancing, acrobatics and aerial activities.

The projects help to develop cooperation, creativity and self-confidence.

They can also lead to the preparation of a collective performance.

Shows and artistic creations

The Zirkushalle Dornbirn hosts and organizes various artistic performances.

The program includes contemporary circus performances, variety shows, and events dedicated to clowns.

Students can also showcase their learning at end-of-year performances.

The center thus constitutes a space for dissemination and encounter between professional artists, amateurs and the public.

A center open to professional artists

The Zirkushalle Dornbirn also welcomes artists wishing to develop their projects and deepen their skills.

The facility offers training and creative opportunities, as well as spaces that can be used for rehearsals or artistic projects.

In this way, it contributes to the development of contemporary circus in the Vorarlberg region.

A pedagogy based on creativity and cooperation

The Zack & Poing association favours an accessible and non-competitive approach to circus.

Participants are encouraged to discover their abilities, experiment with new disciplines, and develop their creativity.

Learning also promotes mutual support, cooperation and respect for others.

The courses help to develop coordination, concentration, perseverance and self-confidence.

Thanks to its regular courses, workshops, training programs and performances, the Zirkushalle Dornbirn is an important center for learning and practicing circus arts in western Austria.