SANTANDER (SPAIN) CO-ORGANISED WITH CAFÉ DE LAS ARTES TEATRO NOVEMBER 27-29 2019 PROGRAMME Co-organised by With the support of WHAT IS A GENERAL MEETING AND WHY SHOULD YOU COME? Let’s start with the basics: General Meetings consist of a 3-day meeting between network’s members, held twice a year in a different European country. But wait, what else is in there? HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW! General Meetings can be regarded as the foundations of the network, in the sense that they are an ideal opportunity for network’s members to meet, exchange, share, think together, get to know each other better, discover an artistic landscape, explore topics relevant to their daily work-life, learn about network’s acti- vities, experience what it actually means being a member... and so much more! These meetings take place twice a year and are hosted and co-organised by a Circostrada member in the frame of a festival YOUR PARTICIPATION MATTERS! or an artistic event. They are always designed around a full and Because we are all busy bees constantly chasing after time, so- tailored-made programme that is specific to the local context of metimes we need to be provided with an excuse to pause, think, the organisation hosting it, but still deliver meaningful content for and remind ourselves why we joined the network in the first place. both circus and street arts professionals. General Meetings create this opportunity and offer the necessary space to raise the head and meet fellow colleagues who share a A GENERAL MEETING AT A GLANCE! similar daily life, face similar issues, challenges, experiences and who might just give you the inspiration and brilliant idea you were - A privileged sphere to learn about the life of the network, so eagerly looking for. meet the Coordination team and Steering Committee, get to This is the very essence of the network and regardless of the rea- know new members and learn about what they do. son that drove you to it, you are in it! So, make the most of it and - A chance to discover the circus and street arts scene of the come to the General Meetings! host country, learn about its cultural context, visit key venues and meet local stakeholders. - An invitation to work with your peers, get involved in the network’s activities and contribute to its development via its five internal workgroups. - An occasion to increase your skills and refresh your perspectives by participating in thematic workshops (CS Boosters), projects presentations and peer-to-peer exchanges. 2 THE WORD OF THE HOST Café de las Artes Teatro (CdAT) THE SPANISH CASE is located in Santander, a city of PARTNER The celebration of Circostrada General Meeting this 170,000 inhabitants in the North year constitutes an unparalleled opportunity to stren- of Spain. Since 2009, CdAT pro- gthen the circus and street arts sectors in Spain and to motes performing arts creation draw attention to these artistic disciplines of audience and exhibition and offers training all year around for na- and institutions. On November 27-28-29, the SPANISH tional and international artists. With around 100 shows CASE will open a space to get to know the Spanish circus per season, CdAT closely works with the local commu- sector. nity in order to boost access of new audiences and their active participation in the arts venue. SPANISH CASE will permeate the three days of the General Meeting’s programme. The first day will be an Every November, CdAT organises the International inaugural presentation of circus and street arts that will Circus Festival ‘En la Cuerda Floja’ with a programme offer a picture of the sector’s situation and enable to of shows, films, workshops and roundtables. Already in identify the main actors and institutions that will share its 8th edition this year, the festival has become an an- their testimony and experience. nual meeting for contemporary circus at national level. The festival combines a programme with renowned and On the second day there will be presentations of pro- emerging companies, training workshops for profes- jects and showcases to learn more about artists from sionals in charge of national and international experts different parts of Spain and their new creations that and roundtables for reflection and development of the are in process or just released. sector. Artists such as Jerôme Thomas, Zoe Maistre, Maksim Komaro, Stefan Sing, Ilona Jantti, Kim Langlet On the third day, the CS Boosters will be focused on or Roberto Magro, among others, have passed through two successful Spanish experiences in the cultural sec- the festival. tor, one in mediation and the other in the use of uncon- ventional spaces: Media Lab and Veranos de la Villa. In its 8th edition, the Festival is promoting alliances with The ‘Insomnia’ training project will also be presented other artistic disciplines such as literature and cine- with a Carte Blanche at the Palacio de la Magdalena ma. A Circus Film Season to promote conversations and there will be more showcases at the Festival Palace. around cinema and circus takes place every week at the In addition, the companies scheduled in the evening Filmhouse during the whole month of November. The shows are all Spanish to bring Circostrada members Festival is also bringing circus to unconventional venues closer to the most current creation in the country. and locations in rural areas outside Santander in order to enable all audiences to access to contemporary cir- The objective is to make the most of this opportunity cus and artists to explore new settings. and put in contact artists, institutions and private entities from different parts of Europe and Spain, in order to Moreover, Café de las Artes actively collaborates in the create networks, learn about good practices and inno- promotion of the circus through the Cantabrian Asso- vative experiences. Circostrada General Meeting will ciation of Circus Professionals and the Federation of be held in several venues of the city in order to provide Professional Associations of Circus of Spain, CircoRED. members with a full picture of the city and best accom- modate this key time’s agenda and needs. 3 THE INTERNAL WORKGROUPS - CS LAB: its purpose is to imagine and design contents to OF THE NETWORK: BASIC PRINCIPLES embody a laboratory, which will provide the space to experiment and test new ideas, methods and practices through dedicated The network is composed of the 5 following workgroups: seminars organised every year in different contexts. The next one will take place in Manchester (UK) from 21 to 23 April 2020. - FRESH CIRCUS: its core activity is to reflect on the contents, topics and overall structure of the International Seminar for the Reminder: participation in the workgroups is not mandatory. Development of Circus Arts, which takes place once every 2 Each workgroup is limited to a maximum of 15 participants.* years in a different country. - FRESH STREET: its core activity is to reflect on the contents, In order to ensure an effective functioning, a favorable work envi- topics and overall structure of the International Seminar for the ronment and continuity, members who wish to join a workgroup Development of Street Arts, which takes place once every 2 should be ready and committed to devoting time to the life of the years in a different country. The next one will take place in Torino network. They must therefore attend General Meetings on a re- (Italy) from 7 to 9 October 2020. gular basis and be available occasionally outside scheduled work sessions to exchange with workgroups members. - CS ADVOCACY: its primary aim is to develop advocacy tools and to carry on actions in support of the fields of circus and street arts, such as the Public Policy Makers Seminar, held once a * Details about the workgroups objectives, functioning and registration procedure will be year in the frame of the FRESH events. provided at the beginning of the General Meeting. - CS DATA: its focus is on collecting, creating and comparing resource & data on circus and street arts at the European level and beyond, for observation and advocacy purposes. GRAPHIC GUIDELINES OF THE PROGRAMME DEVELOP SKILLS GET INVOLVED & KNOWLEDGE IN THE NETWORK - To inspire and provide empowering material - To develop the activities of the network - To give concrete tools and best practices - To report on network’s past, current and future activities - To share and improve knowledge between peers - To discuss, reflect and design the network’s strategy EXPAND DIVE IN THE YOUR NETWORK LOCAL CONTEXT - To meet fellow members - To learn more about the local context - To learn about current and future activities & projects - To develop greater awareness of the cultural policies - To build new projects and partnerships of the host country - To meet stakeholders - To visit local venues and institutions BROADEN YOUR ARTISTIC PANORAMA - To explore a festival and its programming - To meet artists - To get a sense of the local artistic trends and aesthetics 4 WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2019 PRE-MEETING WITH THE STEERING COMMITTEE* A 09:30 - 12:30 B PALACE OF LA MAGDALENA *Only for Steering Committee members OPTIONAL LUNCH A 12:30 - 14:30 B PALACE OF MAGDALENA PARK, RESTAURANTE CABALLERIZAS F 12€ (TO BE PAID BY CASH OR CREDIT CARD) E MORE INFO: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/RESTAURANTE-CABALLERIZAS-REALES-1407664589336721/ REGISTRATION A 13:30 - 14:30 B PALACE OF LA MAGDALENA We’ll be waiting for you at the registration desk with your welcome packs! E REMEMBER TO ASK FOR THE PRINTED TICKETS YOU PREVIOUSLY BOUGHT. WELCOME WORDS BY CO-ORGANISERS CIRCOSTRADA AND CAFÉ DE LAS ARTES TEATRO A - 14:30 15:00 EXPAND YOUR NETWORK B PALACE OF LA MAGDALENA – SALÓN DE BAILE GET INVOLVED IN THE NETWORK PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS, NEW FACES AND GUESTS A - 15:00 15:30 EXPAND YOUR NETWORK B PALACE OF LA MAGDALENA – HALL REAL It’s time for new members to go on stage and introduce themselves to the network! GET INVOLVED IN THE NETWORK Rules of the game are simple: each new member will have 3 min to present himself/ herself and his/her organisation to the rest of the Circostrada assembly.