EducationISCO 2355
Circus arts teacher
Circus arts teachers instruct students in a recreational context in the various circus techniques and acts such as trapeze acts, juggling, mime, acrobatics, hooping, tightrope walking, object manipulation, unicycling tricks, etc. They provide students with a notion of circus history and repertoire, but mainly focus on a practice-based approach in their courses, in which they assist students in experimenting with and mastering different circus techniques, styles and acts and encourage them to develop their own style. They cast, direct and produce circus performances, and coordinate the technical production and possible set, props and costume usage on stage.
Check yourself in a minute: circus arts teacher
Rate 5 of the 30 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
organise rehearsals
check the production schedule
practice circus disciplines
consult students on learning content
develop a coaching style
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (30)
circus aestheticscircus aestheticsThe way the circus concepts and traditions have evolved through time and their artistic meaning.circus vocabularycircus vocabularyThe specific terminology related to the circus activities.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.circus dramaturgycircus dramaturgyDramaturgy performed in a circus show.movement techniquesmovement techniquesThe various types of movement and physical postures undertaken for relaxation, body-mind integration, stress reduction, flexibility, core support and rehabilitation purposes, and that are required for...organise rehearsalsorganise rehearsalsManage, schedule and run rehearsals for the performance.check the production schedulecheck the production scheduleCheck the daily and long term schedules for rehearsal, training, performances, season, tour, etc., taking into account the project timeline and all the preparations required by the production.practice circus disciplinespractice circus disciplinesHave a very high level of practical and technical skills and competences of one or several chosen circus disciplines in order to enter into the professional circus field.consult students on learning contentconsult students on learning contentTake students' opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.develop a coaching styledevelop a coaching styleDevelop a style for coaching individuals or groups that ensures all participants are at ease, and are able to acquire the necessary skills and competences provided in the coaching in a positive and pr...prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.define artistic visiondefine artistic visionContinually develop and define a concrete artistic vision, starting from the proposal and continuing all the way through to the finished product.bring out performers’ artistic potentialbring out performers’ artistic potentialMotivate performers to take on challenges. Encourage peer-learning. Establish an environment for experimentation using various methods, such as improvisation.adapt artistic plan to locationadapt artistic plan to locationAdjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.select artistic materials to create artworksselect artistic materials to create artworksSelect artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected sha...adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...balance the project requirements with health and safety concernsbalance the project requirements with health and safety concernsAdjust the level of effort required for the artistic production. Adapt or adjust movements and movement sequences. Set performance limits. Allow recovery periods and take other measures.maintain safe working conditions in performing artsmaintain safe working conditions in performing artsVerify the technical aspects of your workspace, costumes, props, etc. Eliminate potential hazards in your work space or performance. Intervene actively in cases of accidents or illness.work with circus groupwork with circus groupWork together with other circus artists and management. Make sure to do your part while keeping the performance as a whole in mind.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...teach circus actsteach circus actsShare knowledge and abilities with other performers teaching them important circus skills.perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.coordinate artistic productioncoordinate artistic productionOversee the day-to-day coordination of production tasks so that the organisation fits within the desired artistic and business policies and in order to present productions in a uniform corporate ident...provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.encourage students to acknowledge their achievementsencourage students to acknowledge their achievementsStimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.
Optional (25) — show
assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...vocal techniquesvocal techniquesThe various techniques for using your voice correctly without exhausting or damaging it when changing voice in tone and volume.make-up techniquesmake-up techniquesThe various techniques and tools for applying make-up.pronunciation techniquespronunciation techniquesThe pronunciation techniques to properly and understandably pronounce words.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.select music for performanceselect music for performanceSelect pieces of music for a live performance. Consider factors such as ensemble abilities, availability of scores and the need for musical variety.apply company policiesapply company policiesApply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.define rigging needs for circus actsdefine rigging needs for circus actsDefine the specific safety, technical and performance needs for circus acts rigging in a technical rider or description.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.manage artistic projectmanage artistic projectManage an artistic project. Determine project needs. Establish partnerships. Manage the budget, schedule, contractual agreements and assess the project.develop the physical languagedevelop the physical languageAnalyse and improve the choreographic movements and physical language, following the directions of the choreographer, scene director, etc.ensure safety of exercise environmentensure safety of exercise environmentSelect the correct training environment and assess risks to ensure it provides a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment and that it will be the best use of the environment in which clients are e...check circus rigging before performancecheck circus rigging before performanceCheck the rigging installation for circus acts in order to ensure safe and correct operation.make up performing artistsmake up performing artistsUse cosmetics on artists for stage performances.deal with publicdeal with publicAdopt a pleasant, professional and positive manner with all customers, anticipating their needs and passing customer complaints to a member of the management team (if necessary) in a calm, professiona...assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.develop learning curriculumdevelop learning curriculumDevelop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources. Organise content, form, methods and technologie...develop artistic educational activitiesdevelop artistic educational activitiesDevelop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show or an ...use rope access techniquesuse rope access techniquesApply ropework to work in elevated position. Safely ascend and descend ropes, wearing a harness.analyse own performanceanalyse own performanceUnderstand, analyse and describe your own performance. Contextualize your work in one or various styles, trends, evolution, etc. Self-evaluate your work in rehearsals and performances.instruct on circus rigging equipmentinstruct on circus rigging equipmentInstruct in detail about the intended use, place, requirements and safety issues of circus rigging equipment in order to ensure safe and accurate assembly and fit-up of the equipment.define artistic approachdefine artistic approachDefine your own artistic approach by analysing your previous work and your expertise, identifying the components of your creative signature, and starting from these explorations to describe your artis...maintain circus rigging equipmentmaintain circus rigging equipmentCheck, maintain and adapt circus rigging equipment regularly and before each performance.manage artistic careermanage artistic careerPresent and promote one's artistic approach and position one's work in target markets.assess artistic proposalassess artistic proposalIdentify the essence of a proposed artistic project. Assess the strong and weak points of the proposal. Judge whether to accept the proposal, and whether to propose modifications.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a circus arts teacher do?
Circus arts teachers instruct students in a recreational context in the various circus techniques and acts such as trapeze acts, juggling, mime, acrobatics, hooping, tightrope walking, object manipulation, unicycling tricks, etc. They provide students with a notion of circus history and repertoire, but mainly focus on a practice-based approach in their courses, in which they assist students in experimenting with and mastering different circus techniques, styles and acts and encourage them to develop their own style. They cast, direct and produce circus performances, and coordinate the technical production and possible set, props and costume usage on stage.
What skills does a circus arts teacher need?
A circus arts teacher needs 30 essential skills, including circus aesthetics, circus vocabulary, teamwork principles, circus dramaturgy, movement techniques.
Will AI replace circus arts teacher jobs?
The AI disruption score for circus arts teacher is 9/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: check the production schedule, provide lesson materials, apply company policies. Most resilient: practice circus disciplines, vocal techniques, circus aesthetics.
AI Replacement Risk
9/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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