We are absolutely over the moon to announce that Extraordinary Bodies in partnership with Cirque Bijou & Diverse City has been awarded £719,322 from Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence programme!
The award will support our vision of becoming the national integrated circus company of the UK, based in the South West, enabling us to develop and produce an ambitious outdoor touring circus show of scale featuring exceptional disabled and non-disabled UK artists, explore circus techniques and future co-production through an international residency, and develop talented young disabled artists in partnership with major UK circus schools. It will also allow us to make an unprecedented difference within our sectors as we lay down the groundwork for truly integrated, and excellent, circus and outdoor arts practice.
“Extraordinary Bodies will be a game-changer for circus in this country and we are delighted to support it. It’s a direct legacy of the amazing culture and ceremonies created for London 2012. We’re very pleased that a long term programme that will make exciting work of scale and develop talent of disabled and non-disabled circus artists at a national level is launched while we’re enjoying Rio 2016. It’s a timely reminder of how the drive for success in sport is an inspiration for culture too. It puts the creative case for diversity front and centre of great art – exactly where it should be” Alison Clark, National Director, Combined Arts & Programme Lead, Ambition for Excellence, Arts Council England