Cirkids Performer from CircusWest

CircusWest is an arts centre in Vancouver. They offer a variety of circus arts classes, programs and camps for all ages. They also host shows from time to time.

To learn about the organization, either continue reading or visit circuswest.com.

CircusWest Performing Arts Society

CircusWest is an educational centre for the circus arts. It’s where people of all ages can learn from professionals in the industry. If you’ve ever wanted to try acrobatics, juggling, aerial acts, or other cool things you’ve seen in circus performances, there’s probably a lesson or program for you!

Founded in 1984 as the Vancouver Children’s Circus Society, the company began as a non-profit circus school. It eventually grew into a larger operation and is now called the CircusWest Performing Arts Society.

See circuswest.com for more information about the circus arts centre.

CircusWest Circus Performers

Where is CircusWest?

CircusWest uses the PNE Garden Auditorium, located at 2901 East Hastings Street in Vancouver. The property is huge, as it’s where Vancouver’s Playland and PNE Fair take place each summer. To get to the auditorium quickly, enter through Gate 2 or Gate 15, so either from Renfrew Street or Hastings Street.

Programs and Camps

Many of the programs offered at CircusWest run for several months at a time. For people who don’t want to commit to long programs, there are also sessional classes that run weekly for about a month.

CirKids (Ages 3-17)

CirKids is CircusWest’s after school circus program. Classes run from September to June and give children and teens a place to explore movement, creativity and performance.

In CirKids, younger children learn through play, balance, coordination and age-appropriate movement activities. As students grow, they can develop skills in aerials, acrobatics, juggling, trampoline, unicycling and other circus disciplines. More experienced students begin refining their technique, developing acts and exploring performance. Depending on the program level, students may also participate in informal showcases, community events and CircusWest productions.

Performance Troupe (Ages 13-19)

(When Circus Becomes More Than a Class.)

There is a big difference between learning a circus skill and hearing an audience react when you perform it, and that is what students experience with the Performance Troupe.

CircusWest’s Performance Troupe is for experienced young circus students ready to make the leap to a live audience (other than ones with just friends and family). This is where training becomes performance and the skills students have spent years developing begin to become acts of their own.

With the Performance Troupe, students continue building their circus abilities while developing specialties, creating individual and group acts, and exploring dance, movement, theatre and stage presence. Throughout the year, they take their work beyond the training floor to festivals, community events and CircusWest’s annual May production.

Sometimes the greatest show is not the one they are watching. It is the one they are in!

For full details about the circus arts centre, visit circuswest.com.

CircusWest at the PNE

Adult & Teen Recreational Classes (Ages 13+)

(Don’t Try This at Home. Try It at CircusWest.)

Your fall routine doesn’t have to involve another treadmill. CircusWest’s recreational Adult & Teen circus classes give Vancouverites ages 13 and older the chance to try the skills many people assume they have missed their opportunity to learn. That includes aerial silks, trapeze, handstands, juggling, partner acro, acrobatics, trampoline and even spinning inside a giant metal Cyr wheel.

At CircusWest you don’t need a gymnastics or dance background to get started. Beginner-friendly classes are available alongside training for people with previous experience. Depending on the session, students can progress from their first handstand or silk climb to more advanced aerial and acrobatic skills. All you need is a willingness to go play.

Performance Pathways | Emerging Artists

CircusWest’s Performance Pathways are designed for emerging artists who want to move beyond recreational training.

Participants in this program strengthen their technique, explore creative ideas and begin developing an individual performance voice. With professional coaching and mentorship, artists can build original acts around their strengths while developing a portfolio and performance reel.

The program also explores the practical side of building a future in circus, including digital tools, writing, grants, coaching, audition preparation and professional development.

Finding your voice as an artist can change everything, and you can do that with Performance Pathways.

CircusWest Camps

CircusWest offers multi-day circus camps for children during Spring Break and summer vacation. Camps give kids a chance to explore different circus disciplines, meet new friends and build toward a showcase for family and friends.

Single-day camps may also be offered on select Pro-D Days.

CircusWest Vancouver Classes

To learn more about the circus arts centre, click circuswest.com.

CircusWest Crew in Burnaby

CircusWest Shows

Festivals and other events sometimes hire CircusWest to perform for their audiences. The organization also usually puts on a show of its own in May or June. A few years ago we saw Tapestry: A Closeknit Circus and it was excellent. Performed by the school’s students, the quality of the show was impressive!

CircusWest Video

For an idea of what you can learn at CircusWest, check out the video below. It shows scenes of the Tapestry: A Closeknit Circus show from 2025. The performers you’ll see are students from CircusWest. Aren’t they incredible! And look how young they are!