Wellington's circus school has soaring ambitions after celebrating 20 years in business.
The Circus Hub, which nearly closed during the pandemic, last week celebrated its 20-year anniversary and unveiled its plan for the next 10 years.
The plan includes charitable initiatives to make the circus more accessible, an increased domestic and international presence, and culminates with plans to open the Aotearoa School of Circus.
General Manager Q Walker said that over the next few years, the focus would be on stepping outside their own doors.
"Our first steps in our 10-year plan are really about saying, how do we open our doors, not just to invite more people in, but to bring ourselves out into the community a bit more?" they said.
Walker said that included bringing the circus to schools and public spaces. They are also launching a "tentless tour", a flexible circus that would offer free shows to communities that would not otherwise have access.
"I have a stance about the circus and how it makes a really vibrant city, so as part of Wellington's ongoing recovery from an economic slump, we want circus to be there," Walker said.
Juggler Owen Dobbyn at the Circus Hub. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
"It's really a joy-based activity, so as Wellington kind of finds its joy again, finds its sort of celebratory spirit, we want to be there, kind of boosting that."
What the Circus Hub community thinks of the future
Wellington Circus Trust board member Theo Gordon was glad they were out of survival mode following the Covid 19 and financial challenges of the past few years.
"This moment for us in particular is sort of like a sense of, hey, we're still here actually, we can see this future ahead of us."
Co-chair of the Wellington Circus Trust, Anghard George, said having rebuilt a solid foundation, she was excited they were now able to realise some of their charitable aims.
One of the Circus Hub's founders, Jenny Ritchie, said the plan reflected the vision of those who had come before.
Performer and former student, Imogen Stone, believed the plan was achievable and would open up a whole life for future students who came through the doors.
"I just feel incredibly hopeful with the amount of energy and focus that it's been given," she said.
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