Building on Collaboration
PCCF evolved from the successful Hand-to-Hand Circus Festival, a partnership between FringeArts and Circadium launched in 2018. Recognizing the significant growth of the local circus community over the past decade, the organizers re-envisioned the event as a larger, more inclusive festival driven by collective vision.
"This new festival is really of and for the circus community, and we're proud to be nurturing that community here in Philadelphia," said Mikaela Boone, Programming Director and Creative Producer at FringeArts.
Executive Director of Circadium, Shana Kennedy, added, "A festival is a way of clearly aligning the needs of emerging artists, presenters, and audiences."
A Network of Partners:
The festival boasts an impressive roster of additional partners, highlighting the strong collaborative spirit within Philadelphia's arts scene. Participants include Almanac Dance Circus Theatre, Airplay Entertainment, Rebel Arts, Trenton Circus Squad, Circus Forge, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, American Circus Alliance, Secret Circus Philadelphia, Wahoo Trapeze, Stage Lync Pro, and Tangle Movement Arts.
Connecting Artists and Audiences:
A core goal of PCCF is to foster connections. "PCCF brings national, international, and local talent in conversation with one another under one big tent, so to speak," noted Boone. The festival features US, Canadian, and French artists alongside Philadelphia's performers. Including free public performances and workshops alongside ticketed shows aims to make the art form accessible and build new audiences.
Experience the Community:
Attendees can experience this collaborative spirit firsthand at venues across Old City, the Delaware Waterfront, and Camden, NJ, from May 23 to June 1. Tickets and a full schedule are available now at FringeArts.com.
The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival is more than just a series of performances; it's a celebration of community, collaboration, and the growth of a dynamic art form in the city. By bringing diverse partners and artists together, PCCF strengthens Philadelphia's cultural landscape and solidifies its place on the national and international contemporary circus map.
