Our History

TIME_CAPSULE

1989
Mark St Leon organises the first circus conference in Australia @ the Victorian Arts Centre. Conference highlights the need for an industry peak body to represent all forms of circus.

1990
Australian National Circus Association (ANCA) is established Lorraine Grant (Ashtons Circus) is elected chair ANCA represents: the professional, youth, community and education sectors of the Australian circus sector.

1991
ANCA provides input into the Australia Council Drama Policy Review.

1992
‘Tightrope: A Safety Net for Circus and Street Performers in the 1990s’, conference is held at Darling Harbour Convention Centre, Sydney, December. ANCA produces a regular newsletter.

1993
Jane Mullett initiates a one-day search conference to ascertain the industry's interest in establishing a national circus school.

1994
ANCA ceases trading. Conferences continue via companies such as: Circus Oz, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Legs On The Wall, Rock 'n' Roll Circus, the Women's Circus.

1997 
Rock 'n Roll Circus (Bris) host: ‘Body Contact’ which revitalises circus conferences. 

1998
‘2nd Head to Head’ National Circus & Physical Theatre Conference is produced @ the Sydney Opera House.

1999
ANCA is legally disbanded & the National Circus and Physical Theatre Association (NCPTA) is established. ‘3rd Head to Head’, National Circus & Physical Theatre Conference is produced by NCPTA @ Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne.

2001
Rock ‘n Roll Circus host the ‘Chaos and Synergy Conference’ at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

2002
NCAPTA identifies the need for a sector peak body. Sector is highlighted as a key cultural export in the Theatre Board Small Companies' Report.

2003
‘5th Head to Head’ National Circus & Physical Theatre Conference is produced by NCPTA and Cirkidz, in Adelaide. Reg Bolton is elected as chair.

2004
NCAPTA receives funding from the Australia Council Theatre Board for a part time executive officer position for 12 months; Catherine Oddie is appointed. Name is changed to ACAPTA Membership fees are introduced.

2005
ACAPTA hosts the ‘6th Head to Head’ conference in Geelong ACAPTA receives funding from Australia Council to employ: Antonella Casella (development officer) & Kim Kaos (finances, membership & communications) @ one day per week.

2006
ACAPTA establishes the Small Companies Working Group The Fabulous Risk’ conference is produced by Monoxide Circus & Wollongong University.

2007
ACAPTA presents ‘Australian Contemporary Circus Harnessing the Global Opportunity’ report to the Australia Council The Inaugural, National Youth Circus Day Strategy is launched @ Westside Circus (Melb). Other participants include: Cirkidz (SA), Flipside (QLD) & Catapult Festival (Bathurst) Sue Broadway is elected as chair.

2008 
ACAPTA hosts our biennial National Conference in Adelaide in association with APAM. Committee amalgamates the executive & admin/communications positions and appoints Gail Kelly as Director.

2009
ACAPTA partners with Tashmadada & Open Channel to  present the Andante Project an international master-class devised & directed by Younis Bachir from La Fura dels Baus. (Spain). The Circus Works season @ TheatreWorks – a curated festival of new work presented by 4 emerging companies Launches the SCOPE initiative for circus & physical theatre artists . Revamps the membership structure. Produces SPRUIK  as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Revamps the newsletter. Hosts’ regular membership events in Melb & Syd. Implements the inaugural National Youth Circus Symposium in partnership with FFFC

2010
Theatre Fund implements a strategy entilted: Circus & Physical Theatre  Director Development Program to support  3 Emerging Circus & Physical Theatre Directors as a result of the Small Companies Report. Anni Davey (Vic), Kate Fryer (Vic) & Gavin Robbins (Qld) are the successful recipients.