National Institute of Circus Arts
Encyclopedia
The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) is the only government-accredited institution that provides professional training in contemporary circus arts in Australia. It is a subsidiary of Swinburne University of Technology
and is based at the university's Prahran
campus.
NICA is a registered cultural organisation and a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence. Many of its graduates have gone on to work in international and national circus companies, including Circus Oz
and Cirque du Soleil
.
. In 2001, the first Bachelor of Circus Arts course was offered with 23 students entering the course and the first degrees being conferred in 2003. In 2005, the institute moved into a new $10 million NICA National Circus Centre constructed at the Prahran campus of Swinburne University. The centre was funded jointly by the Australian Government, Swinburne and the Pratt Foundation.
In 2010, NICA will be offering a Certificate III in Circus Arts for students combining their circus training with their final two years of secondary school. The academic provider will be the VCA Secondary School. NICA will also offer Certificate IV in Circus Arts, a one year program in
basic Circus Skills, suitable for school leavers (18+).
In 2011, there were 60 enrolled students.
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is an Australian public dual sector university based in Melbourne, Victoria. The institution was founded by the Honourable George Swinburne in 1908 and achieved university status in June 1992...
and is based at the university's Prahran
Prahran, Victoria
Prahran , also known colloquially as "Pran", is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington. At the 2006 Census, Prahran had a population of 10,651. It is a part of Melbourne with...
campus.
NICA is a registered cultural organisation and a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence. Many of its graduates have gone on to work in international and national circus companies, including Circus Oz
Circus Oz
Circus Oz was founded in December 1977, with its first performance season in March 1978. Circus Oz was the amalgamation of two already well-known groups - Soapbox Circus, a roadshow set up by the Australian Performing Group in 1976, and the New Ensemble Circus, a continuation of the New Circus,...
and Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil , is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy...
.
History
NICA was established in 1995 by Swinburne University of Technology after a study revealed there was enough demand for a national body. The first course, a Diploma of Circus Arts, began in 1999 with eight participants from an unrenovated warehouse at DocklandsMelbourne Docklands
Docklands is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia occupying an area extending up to 2 km west of and adjacent to Melbourne's Central Business District . Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
. In 2001, the first Bachelor of Circus Arts course was offered with 23 students entering the course and the first degrees being conferred in 2003. In 2005, the institute moved into a new $10 million NICA National Circus Centre constructed at the Prahran campus of Swinburne University. The centre was funded jointly by the Australian Government, Swinburne and the Pratt Foundation.
Courses
The institute's core training offering is a three-year Bachelor of Circus Arts. The institute also offers a Diploma of Circus Arts and Advanced Diploma of Circus Arts, along with a number of workshops and short courses.In 2010, NICA will be offering a Certificate III in Circus Arts for students combining their circus training with their final two years of secondary school. The academic provider will be the VCA Secondary School. NICA will also offer Certificate IV in Circus Arts, a one year program in
basic Circus Skills, suitable for school leavers (18+).
In 2011, there were 60 enrolled students.
See also
- CirkidzCirkidzCirkidz is a youth circus school based in Bowden in the South Australian capital of Adelaide.It was originally founded by Tony Hannan and Michael Lester in 1985 as a workshop project to provide alternative opportunities for recreation for disadvantaged young people in Adelaide’s industrial...
- Flying Fruit Fly Circus SchoolFlying Fruit Fly Circus SchoolThe Flying Fruit Fly Circus School in Wodonga, Victoria is the only primary and secondary-level circus school in Australia. It was founded in 1987 as the educational arm of The Flying Fruit Fly Circus...
- Swinburne University of TechnologySwinburne University of TechnologySwinburne University of Technology is an Australian public dual sector university based in Melbourne, Victoria. The institution was founded by the Honourable George Swinburne in 1908 and achieved university status in June 1992...