About us

For over 20 years, circusnext has been identifying and supporting the most unique emerging circus authors across Europe — artists who create and experiment with original, unconventional circus.
Over the years, circusnext has become an essential programme for the development of contemporary circus, leading and coordinating the only platform dedicated to contemporary circus co-funded by the European Union. It currently brings together 25 member venues from 16 countries around shared founding commitments: identifying authors with a unique and strong artistic approach, supporting these artists in their development and international mobility, and fostering European cooperation.
At circusnext, artistic risk-taking is shared between artists who explore the paths of research and creation, and partner venues that support the renewal of circus arts by hosting and presenting these innovative works.

The circusnext label

Each year, circusnext awards its label to a selection of emerging circus authors whose projects stand out for their distinctive artistic voice, willingness to take artistic risks, and lasting artistic innovation.
The label is awarded to 10 Finalist projects (among which 4 Laureate projects) per edition, selected by all 25 Platform members and the artistic jury. 
The three-stage selection process, with this large jury drawn from across Europe, ensures the quality and legitimacy of the selection.
Holding the circusnext label means accessing visibility across a network of partner venues in 16 countries. It is also a form of peer recognition: programmers and established artists who together identify what matters in contemporary circus.
Over more than twenty years, the label has demonstrated its ability to spot, early on, artists who have since left a lasting mark on the field.

What we do

Our missions

Identify

emerging circus authors in Europe who develop a strong and unique artistic approach

Support

these authors and encourage their mobility abroad, promote their creations and foster the conditions for their work to be seen by audiences

Raise

public awareness of the diversity of contemporary circus forms

Our activities

circusnext Platform
2026-2029

Bringing together 25 creation and touring venues from 16 countries across Europe, circusnext Platform is a programme dedicated to identifying and supporting emerging circus authors.

Co-funded by the European Union
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circusnext France
2025-2026

As part of its mission to support emerging circus authors, circusnext works to foster the professional development of artists at a national level.

With the support of the Fondation de France
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circusnext in the sector

As a member of several professional networks in France and in Europe, circusnext contributes to building connections and collectively reflecting on the development of the profession and the evolution of working conditions for contemporary circus artists.

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Our history

circusnext is a story that celebrates creation circus, emerging artists, moving, mind-blowing and edgy works, and journeys of all kinds. In over twenty years of existence, circusnext has organized 13 editions and supported 135 Laureate and Finalist companies.
More about our history
2002
Jeunes Talents Cirque is born in France to support emerging contemporary circus authors
2007
Opening up to Europe: the programme becomes Jeunes Talents Cirque Europe
2012
The programme is renamed circusnext, affirming its pan-European ambition
2017
Launch of circusnext Platform, unique circus platform co-funded by the European Union
2022
Selections become annual

Team and collaborators

circusnext is a small team in Paris, along with their board members and a great number of artists and partners throughout Europe, who work together to create and defend contemporary circus.
Contact us

Team

Sabrina Abiad

Director
email

Emilie Bonaventure

Communication manager
email

Coline Huchet

Production manager
email
SVSH referent
email

Paul Lacour-Lebouvier

Administrative & financial manager
email

Asma Manssouri

European project manager
email

Gaëlle Sauquet

General secretary
email

Capucine Cathebras

European project intern

Ana Carolina Wiermann

Production and communication intern

Our wider team

Our board

Bureau Nomade

Press officer

Lucie Bonnet

Associate researcher

Jean-Léo Bost

Videographer

Anthony Couret

Web developer

Jean-Michel Guy

Circus expert advisor

Christophe Raynaud de Lage

Photographer

Fred Sintomer

Rigger

Pierre Staigre

Technical director

Jeanne Triboul

Graphic designer

Jean-Christophe Bonneau

President

Koen Allary

Vice-president

Isabel Joly

Vice-president

Satchie Noro

Treasurer
Michel Almon, Sylvie Cadenat, Nicole Gauthier, Donato Giuliani, Jérôme Montchal, Jean-Paul Perez, Fatou Traoré, Claude Véron, Géraldine Werner

Our partners

circusnext works with a network of French and European partners — creation and touring venues, festivals, and networks — who are committed to supporting artists through residencies, presentations, and audience encounters. Together, they help artists build international careers and promote the diversity of contemporary circus to policymakers and the wider public.
Discover circusnext’s network

Our funders

circusnext is supported by the DGCA – French Ministry of Culture, the European Union and the Creative Europe programme, the City of Paris, the Île-de-France Region, and the Fondation de France.
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