Circus arts teacher
Also known as: circus arts instructor, circus teacher, trainer in circus arts, instructor of circus arts, circus arts trainer, circus arts teaching practitioner
About this occupation
Circus arts teachers instruct students in a recreational context in the various circus techniques and acts such as trapeze acts, juggling, mime, acrobatics, hooping, tightrope walking, object manipulation, unicycling tricks, etc. They provide students with a notion of circus history and repertoire, but mainly focus on a practice-based approach in their courses, in which they assist students in experimenting with and mastering different circus techniques, styles and acts and encourage them to develop their own style. They cast, direct and produce circus performances, and coordinate the technical production and possible set, props and costume usage on stage.
Essential skills and knowledge
- define artistic vision
- circus dramaturgy
- balance the project requirements with health and safety concerns
- teach circus acts
- select artistic materials to create artworks
- check the production schedule
- give constructive feedback
- coordinate artistic production
- apply teaching strategies
- maintain safe working conditions in performing arts
- circus vocabulary
- demonstrate when teaching
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Education Administrators, All Other (O*NET 11-9039.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
US median pay: US$95,200 a year (2025), 55,130 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.