Free and Low-Cost Classes from The Circus Project

Portland-based nonprofit The Circus Project announced that it received an $80,000 grant from K-12 Summer Learning Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation to support free and low-cost circus classes for youth this summer.

With this support, The Circus Project expanded capacity in the remaining summer camps and earmarked one-third of the spots specifically for scholarship students.

Summer camps are held at The Circus Project’s new outdoor circus studio, the Outdoor Domes. The Domes is a one-of-a-kind location designed and fabricated by Guildworks PDX, that provides open-air circus and acrobatics training at Zidell Yards in Portland’s South Waterfront.

Applications are open for scholarship spots at circus summer camps. Interested families can apply here.

Additionally, all of The Circus Project’s youth summer programming is offered with a sliding-scale payment structure this summer, including aerial and acrobatics classes at their indoor studio on NW 17th Ave, and Tumbling in the Parks — an outdoor acrobatics class at public parks around the Portland metro area.

“Circus has so many benefits — it’s physical exercise and creative expression, all within a supportive community environment,” said Kirsten Collins, The Circus Project Executive Director. “We know that cost is a common barrier to access for circus training, and we are so happy to be able to offer free and low-cost options to Portland families.”

“Circus is really valuable, especially right now, after a year of being so restricted and run down — circus is a great opportunity to be totally immersed in something challenging, and super joyful.”

About The Circus Project
The Circus Project uses the circus arts as a catalyst for personal and collective transformation. What began in 2008 as a pioneering experiment to engage and empower traditionally underserved and marginalized youth in a transformational program utilizing circus training and performance arts has evolved into a thriving arts organization that includes a public circus school, professional performances and youth circus workshops in partnership with social service agencies and after-school programs.

About Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) puts donated money to work in Oregon – more than $100 million in grants and scholarships annually. For more than 45 years, OCF grantmaking, research, advocacy and community-advised solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses and organizations 2 create charitable funds to improve lives for all Oregonians. Impactful giving–time, talent and resources from many generous Oregonians–creates measurable change.