The ISACS Network empowers, encourages and supports its members in their creative journeys by providing bursaries to attend workshops and masterclasses nationally and internationally.

Today, we are delighted to present Aisling Miklis as the ISACS Member awarded the Bursary to attend one week of the Irish Aerial Dance Festival 2025.

Find out more about the schedule for our spring callouts here

Here is what Aisling expects from the festival:

I would come to IADF with a vision – that circus could be hugely beneficial in the field of mental health. Making that vision a reality needs innovative thinking, and a whole circus community and festival buzzing with talent and experience is just the place to find it. I would use this opportunity to develop connections with teachers, students and especially if there are others with an interest in combining circus arts with mental health/social circus.

My dream is one of circus as therapy. This arises both from my own experience of how aerial has supported me through difficult times mentally and from my profession – mental health Occupational Therapist. This bursary for the IADF would greatly benefit both my art practice, and it could just support me to start a new and widely beneficial approach in mental health! I believe my dream could gain new heights in workshops such as aerial storytelling.

Meet the Artist

Aisling Miklis Headshot Isacs

Aisling Miklis

A love of feathers, flying and freedom. All things I knew I wanted to pursue from a young age when I experienced the thrill of the circus. Seeing artists effortlessly flying high on trapeze, while another had some difficulty managing the higher level of balancing on objects. The support of the crowd seemed to help her overcome the challenge, so inspiring to see.

Fast forward 20 odd years.. I discovered the joy of learning I could participate in circus myself! In particular aerial which I have been training in regularly over the past 6 years, where the support of others has helped me to overcome fears.

I have an interest in aerial silks, trapeze, accessible juggling and object balancing. Circus has offered me the opportunity for freedom, from my own mind, during times when I have struggled with my mental health. I now work in Occupational Therapy in mental health. I am on a journey to develop my skills as I hope to utilize circus as a therapeutic medium in future, so I may be able to offer this sense of freedom and group support to others. I hope to expand my knowledge and network particularly in social circus!