In Your Space Circus’s mission is to unleash the power of circus and street theatre, igniting the imagination and transforming lives and communities.
Derry-based In Your Space Circus, is a circus school and street theatre company, which works with artists (local, national and international) with a wide range of skills. We work individually and in collaboration with other organisations and art forms to deliver projects which involve circus skills, street theatre, visual arts, music, costume-making, and theatre. We are one of the most innovative and dynamic arts organisations in Derry and the North of Ireland, utilising circus and street theatre as a vehicle for personal, social and community development. We are passionate about Contemporary Circus and Street Theatre. Circus is incredibly exciting, combining high skill with comedy and wonder. Because of the unique ability of circus to support personal, social and community development, it is now being recognised as a powerful tool for change. Street Theatre ensures there are fewer barriers and more opportunity for audiences who may not ordinarily engage with the arts to feel welcome and valued in their participation.
We pride ourselves on creating (and curating) acts, shows and installations which are unique and provide meaningful engagement. This allows our audiences to escape the challenges of day-to-day life, if only for a moment, and invites them to play, be silly and make memories together. IYSC is a charitable company limited by guarantee with a board of directors. Annually we work with around thirty regular freelance artists, and another 120 occasional freelance artists.
We run an in-house Circus School working with more than 120 people each week from our premises on Waterloo Street and other locations across the City.
We are a charity! (in case you didn’t know…) providing circus workshops to some of the region’s most disadvantaged children and young people through our Outreach programmes.
We have an amazing team of staff, creatives, facilitators and performers who dazzle daily with their skills and talent. We are always looking to collaborate with other art forms as well as extend our list of artists… so if that takes your fancy…. Well… You know what to do!
We also produce ‘Carnival of Colours’ – our flagship Circus & Street Arts Festival, which takes place in Derry City Centre and provides performance opportunities to artists from all across Ireland and showcases the very best in international circus and street theatre shows.
IYSC are currently undertaking a major capital redevelopment of The Cathedral School, a former Victorian primary school in Derry City Centre, to transform it into our new home and Circus School!
This iconic, listed building, owned by St. Columb’s Cathedral, is one of only five buildings which exit directly onto the historic Derry City Walls. After 20 years of being empty and disused IYSC are delighted to be breathing new life into the building, which will put us in the heart of the city.
The Cathedral School will provide a physical space which matches our ambitions. Our values are at the heart of creating our new home and will ensure we continue to deliver and sustain the benefits of this project for the long-term benefit of our communities.
We are always on the lookout for artists and arts organisations to collaborate with, who have the same ethos as us, so if this is you drop us an email at info@inyourspaceni.org