方堤斯应用科学大学

Academy for Circus and Performance Art (ACaPA)

Fontys Academy for Circus and Performance Art (ACaPA) of Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts offers a four-year full-time study program with a pioneering, distinctive artistic shape. The international orientated study leads to an internationally recognized academic bachelor diploma of professional education as Circus performer and has a highly qualified team and a clear mission. We also offer exceptional training facilities.

Contemporary circus

Since more than two decades, circus revitalizes as an authentic art, which takes inspiration from other Performing and Fine Arts. At the same time, circus enriches these art forms and stimulates ground-breaking contemporary creation in performing arts. The term ‘contemporary circus’ includes not only the so-called ‘New Circus’ (which is often assimilated to circus theatre), but all present-day types of circus art. A professional circus performer is a highly-skilled artist, mastering one or two circus techniques at an exceptional level. In addition, he has extensive skills and knowledge in other art forms (dance, theatre, performance art, scenography, music) and is able to experiment, to mix up and to merge these art forms, and to give meaning to his performances. He masters techniques of creation and gives individual shape to his performances. He works either as a solo performer or as a member of a group. He is able to work both as interpreter and as author/creator. As an entrepreneur, he is able to manage his professional career, to promote himself and to position himself as an artist within society.

What to expect from us

We offer a four-year full-time study program with a pioneering, distinctive artistic shape. The international orientated study leads to an internationally recognized academic bachelor diploma of professional education as Circus performer and has a highly qualified team and a clear mission. We also offer exceptional training facilities.

What do we expect from you

We expect you to have sufficient talent and motivation for the profession of circus performer. We encourage our students to spend part of their study at a school abroad, deepening and widening their education or by specializing in a particular professional profile. At the same time, the academy wishes to attract foreign students from European and overseas countries. This may concern either full-time study or shorter periods (as part of exchange programs). English being the official teaching language should facilitate this possibility. For all English taught courses a minimum English language proficiency is required.