Home / About

About CircArts, Geelong's circus school since 2007

A place to belong, and to do the extraordinary

CircArts started in 2007 with a handful of students, a couple of mats and a big dream: to help young people grow stronger, braver and more connected through circus. Today we train babies, kids, teens and adults in our purpose-built studio in Grovedale.

Find a classMeet our coaches
CircArts Grovedale studio with aerial silks, hoops and trapezes rigged
Since2007in Geelong
Rigging points31in our studio
2007Founded in Geelong
250+Students every week
31Rigging points
5Aerial zones

Our story

From Kidsplace to CircArts

CircArts began as a simple idea in 2007: a place where kids could play, explore and express themselves through circus. Back then we were Kidsplace Circus School, a small program with a handful of students, a couple of mats and a big dream.

Students kept coming back for years, asking to train more, perform more and even coach. Parents told us circus was the highlight of their child's week. By 2014 teens, adults and whole families had joined, so we became CircArts Geelong: a school for circus as an art form, a sport and a way of life, whether you are an artist or an enthusiast.

CircArts became more than a training space. It became a place where people find belonging. Beginners discover hidden talents, advanced students chase big shows, big tricks and big dreams, and adults rediscover play, creativity and strength they thought they had lost.

CircArts students performing the finale of the end of year show
CircArts alumna Aisling Donnellan performing foot juggling with a parasol
Aisling Donnellan, one of our very first students

From local classes to world-class artists

A launchpad for incredible achievements

We introduced performance programs, leadership pathways and industry experiences to give our students real opportunities to shine. Our Aspiring Artist Program takes performers from the studio to professional stages, launching their own shows at festivals like Adelaide Fringe and taking their acts to the International Youth Circus Festival in Lithuania.

Many of our past students are now professional circus artists, coaches and performers inspiring the next generation. One of our very first students, Aisling Donnellan, is now a professional circus artist too, performing with Eronis Circus.

Today, with more than 250 students training every week, multiple youth and adult shows each year and a team of passionate coaches, CircArts is a thriving community hub. Our mission is simple: to help people of all ages grow through circus, physically, mentally and creatively, and to create a space where everyone feels like they belong.

Made in our studio

Two Guinness World Records

CircArts alumna Charli Meath set two Guinness World Records in aerial hoop, right here in our studio in Geelong.

  • Most aerial hoop somersaults in one minute (female): 53
  • Longest duration shoulder blade hang on an aerial hoop: 63.18 seconds

Charli started circus at CircArts at 14, went on to train at NICA, and is a former Australian National Champion in aerial hoop.

Watch Charli's record video
Charli Meath hanging from an aerial hoop under a spotlight

What we believe

Our values spell CIRCUS

Evoke Excitement, Empower Extraordinary. Our mission is to help people do the extraordinary, by empowering transformation through connection, creativity and courage.

Courage

We encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone, try new things and embrace challenges with confidence.

Inspiration

We ignite passion, curiosity and a love of learning through circus arts and creative movement.

Resilience

We celebrate perseverance. Growth comes from practice, determination and trying again together.

Creativity

We foster imagination, self-expression and problem-solving, so every artist finds their own style.

Unity

A welcoming, inclusive, non-competitive community where everyone belongs and feels supported, valued and connected.

Spirit

We bring energy, enthusiasm and joy to everything we do, and celebrate every achievement, big or small.

Our team

Taught by real circus artists

Our coaches perform, train and teach because they love circus. Every coach goes through our in-house coach training program and holds a Working With Children Check and first aid. Many of them started as CircArts students. Tap a coach to read their story.

Rosa PaganiFounderEllie MackinnonStudio ManagerTess TheodoreAerial CoachCallem NewallCoach and Aspiring Artist TrainerTGTro GriffithsStrength and Aerial CoachMMinervaTiny Circus CoachJon CamposCoachErika HanssonCoachMaygan LoweCoachSze ChikCoachMaggie DipaneCoachLPLizzie PattersonCoachLucy SzaboCoachEllie MarksCoachSolomon River SageCoachAmanda ContiCoach
Meet the whole teamJoin our team

Our alumni

Students who started here

Many now perform and teach professionally, in Australia and around the world. CircArts alumni perform with Circus Royale, Eronis Circus, CIRCA, Trash Test Dummies and on cruise ships, and have trained at NICA.

Charli Meath on aerial hoop

2x Guinness World Record holder

Charli Meath

Started at CircArts at 14, trained at NICA and set two aerial hoop world records in our studio.

Aisling Donnellan performing foot juggling

One of our very first students

Aisling Donnellan

Started circus at 6 as a shy kid. Now a professional circus artist with Eronis Circus.

Lola Anderson performing contortion with spinning carpets

One of our first students

Lola Anderson

Award-winning contortion and spinning carpets act, and toured with Circus Royale.

Leigh Rhodes performing in a cyr wheel

NICA graduate

Leigh Rhodes

Cyr wheel and bounce juggling artist who toured internationally with Dummies Corp.

See the CircArts journey

With thanks to

Coaches who have shaped CircArts

Our studio

Purpose-built for circus

In 2026 we moved into Warehouse 33 in Grovedale, a brand new studio fitted out with help from our community.

31rigging points
5aerial zones
2acro zones
1dedicated handstand space
3floor types for different activities
7mceilings

A soft floor for tumbling, a timber floor for hand balancing, cyr wheel and unicycle, and so much more.

Aerial studio with silks, hoops and trapezes rigged
Aerial silks room at CircArts Grovedale
Training floor with tumbling mats and air track
Wide view of the CircArts training studio
Studio floor with crash mats
CircArts reception desk

Come and see it

Visit us in Grovedale

Address
Warehouse 33, 33/8 Lewalan Street, Grovedale VIC 3216 (next to Roof Racks Galore)
Reception
Weekdays 4pm to 7pm, Saturdays 9am to 12pm
CircArts studio interior

Come and be part of it

Whatever your age, there is a place for you here.

Find your class

Questions? Call 0420 211 844 or text 0489 082 643.

CircArts Geelong · Warehouse 33, 33/8 Lewalan Street, Grovedale VIC 3216