National Institute of Circus Arts

The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) is the only government-accredited tertiary educational institution that provides professional training in contemporary circus arts in Australia.[1] It is a subsidiary of Swinburne University of Technology[2] and is based at the university's Prahran campus.

National Institute of Circus Arts
NICA National Circus Centre, Melbourne
Other name
NICA
Established1995 (1995)
Parent institution
Swinburne University of Technology
Academic affiliation
Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence
Executive DirectorRose Stephens
Location
Prahran, Melbourne
,
Victoria
,
Australia

37°51′10″S 144°59′29″E
Websitewww.nica.com.au

NICA is a registered cultural organisation and a member of the Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence.[3] Many of its graduates have gone on to work in international and national circus companies, including Circus Oz and Cirque du Soleil.

History

NICA was established in 1995 by Swinburne University of Technology after a study revealed there was enough demand for a national body.[4] The first course, a Diploma of Circus Arts, began in 1999 with eight participants from an unrenovated warehouse at Docklands. In 2001, the first Bachelor of Circus Arts course was offered with 23 students entering the course and the first degrees being conferred in 2003.[2] In 2005, the institute moved into a new $10 million NICA National Circus Centre constructed at the Prahran campus of Swinburne University. The centre was funded jointly by the Australian Government, Swinburne and the Pratt Foundation.[5]

Courses

The institute's core training offering is a three-year Bachelor of Circus Arts. The institute also offers a Diploma of Circus Arts and Advanced Diploma of Circus Arts, along with a number of workshops and short courses.[6]

In 2010, NICA offered a Certificate III in Circus Arts for students combining their circus training with their final two years of secondary school. The academic provider was the VCA Secondary School. NICA also offered Certificate IV in Circus Arts, a one-year program in basic Circus Skills, suitable for school leavers (aged 18 years or older).[7]

In 2011, there were 60 enrolled students.[4]

See also

References
  1. "National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA)". FEDEC. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  2. "History of NICA". National Institute of Circus Arts. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  3. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (15 September 2008). "Arts training bodies". Retrieved 4 December 2012.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. Andrew Shaw (21 June 2011). "All aboard the Circus train". Evolution Publishing. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  5. "Facilities". National Institute of Circus Arts. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  6. "Bachelor of Circus Arts". National Institute of Circus Arts. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  7. "NICA News - Winter/Spring 2009" (PDF). National Institute of Circus Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
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