Zirkusquartier Zurich – Zurich Circus School

Zirkusquartier Zürich is a circus school and cultural center entirely dedicated to contemporary circus arts, located in Zurich, Switzerland.

Founded in 2016 at the initiative of Zirkus Chnopf , the project was born from the desire to create a permanent meeting place, training and creation space for circus artists, while allowing the general public to discover and practice circus disciplines.

Originally, Zirkusquartier served in particular as a winter quarter for Zirkus Chnopf, a Swiss company renowned for its contemporary open-air circus performances.

Over the years, the structure has considerably developed its activities to become a center bringing together amateur teaching , professional practice , artistic creation , residencies and the dissemination of shows .

A school at the heart of the project

Today, the school is one of the pillars of its operation.

With more than 35 weekly courses organized from Monday to Friday and around 300 participants each week, Zirkusquartier offers a particularly well-developed educational program.

The teaching is for all generations .

Even the youngest children can discover the circus from the age of two and a half thanks to the Zirkuszwergli courses, designed for a first playful and physical exploration.

From the age of four, children can join Zirkus Starter courses, which allow them to gradually develop coordination, balance, motor skills and confidence.

The Zirkus Durch-Starter groups, intended for children aged six to eight, continue this learning by gradually introducing more elaborate circus techniques.

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is one of the main families of disciplines taught.

Specific courses are offered to children aged eight to ten and to teenagers aged eleven to fourteen.

Participants gradually discover different acrobatic techniques and develop their body control, flexibility, strength and coordination.

Dance-acrobatics also allows for the combination of choreographic movement and acrobatic practice.

Aerial disciplines

Aerial disciplines occupy an important place in the educational program.

Aerial silks is taught from the age of seven, with several groups adapted to the age and level of the participants.

Teenagers and adults can continue this learning in beginner, intermediate and advanced courses.

This organization allows for the development of technical progression over several years, while also giving new participants the opportunity to discover the discipline.

Other disciplines and physical preparation

Zirkusquartier also offers courses dedicated to floor acrobatics, duo acrobatics and balance work.

Thread work is the subject of specific instruction, with groups accessible to beginners as well as experienced and professional practitioners.

Mobility and flexibility sessions complement the physical preparation required for the different activities.

The school also offers specialized workshops allowing participants to discover other techniques of contemporary circus.

Depending on the program, these workshops may include Chinese pole , tricking , aerial disciplines or different approaches to body research.

Free training

Another distinctive feature of Zirkusquartier is the existence of free training slots.

Twice a week, the facilities are open to adults wishing to practice in a professional environment, exchange with other artists and develop their skills independently.

These sessions bring together both experienced amateurs and professional artists.

The school thus advocates an approach in which different levels of practice can meet and enrich each other.

Transmission and creativity

Transmission is not limited to technical learning.

Zirkusquartier also seeks to develop creativity , personal expression and the discovery of circus as a contemporary artistic discipline.

The facility regularly hosts guest artists and educators to lead specialized workshops and training sessions.

These meetings allow participants to discover different artistic approaches and benefit from the experience of professionals from the Swiss and international circus scene.

A place dedicated to contemporary creation

Alongside its teaching activities, Zirkusquartier plays an important role in supporting contemporary creation.

The center hosts companies and artists in residence , provides rehearsal spaces and participates in the co-production of shows .

Artists can also present their work in progress to an audience, particularly in the form of a work-in-progress.

This close relationship between learning, research and creation is one of the great characteristics of the place.

Cultural programming

Zirkusquartier also develops a cultural program including shows, festivals, meetings and artistic events.

The ZirQus Festival is one of the events associated with the structure.

It helps to introduce the public to different forms of contemporary circus, by hosting Swiss and international companies and artists.

Link with Zirkus Chnopf

The relationship with Zirkus Chnopf remains particularly close.

The company continues to develop and rehearse its annual creations within the Zirkusquartier, as part of a long-term artistic collaboration.

Governance and perspectives

The entire project is supported by the association Verein Zirkusquartier Zürich .

Since 2024 , the structure has also benefited from multi-year support from the City of Zurich, contributing to the consolidation of its educational and cultural activities.

A major new development is planned for 2027 , with the installation of Zirkusquartier in a permanent building located in the future Koch-Quartier .

This project will ensure the long-term viability of the infrastructure dedicated to teaching, training and creating contemporary circus arts.

A unique place in the Swiss circus landscape

Zirkusquartier Zürich is therefore much more than a traditional circus school.

It is a place where children, teenagers, adults, amateurs and professionals can meet around a common passion, in an environment that simultaneously promotes learning, artistic practice, research and creation.

With its extensive weekly programming, its openness to all ages and its commitment to the development of contemporary circus, Zirkusquartier occupies a significant place in the Swiss circus scene.