CirkusExpo is an industry event aimed specifically at Swedish, Danish, and Finnish circus companies/artists, held at Riksteatern in Stockholm. In 2027, CirkusExpo will take place from February 17 – 20 as part of Circostrada’s international event FRESH CIRCUS #6.
On Wednesday 17 February and Thursday 18 February, pitch and preview presentations will be held, where circus companies/artists have the opportunity to present their projects. Participation takes place through an application process.
New for 2027 is that all pitch presentations and previews will be shown 3 times over two days. This means you will pitch/show your preview twice on Wednesday 17 February and once on Thursday 18 February. It is important that selected artists can attend all three of their scheduled presentations.
The application opens on August 17 (at 16.30 CET) and closes on September 13, 2026 on the Riksteatern website.
CirkusExpo – Nordic platform for circus arts is presented by:
Riksteatern, the Swedish Arts Council, the Danish Arts Foundation, Circus & Dance Finland.
With support from: the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, Institut Français de Suède and Québec Government Office, London.
Apply
CirkusExpo 2027 will invite 18 circus companies/artists from among the applicants to give pitch presentations or previews. Both touring and upcoming projects can be presented.
Please note that the application is for presenting a pitch or preview, not full performances.
Companies must deliver a live pitch/preview and will also be offered a place in the digital catalogue for a pre-recorded presentation.
Only companies based in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland can apply via the form published on Rikstearen’s website.
Pitch
The time frame is six minutes. It is possible to show a video (max 3 minutes) and/or a PowerPoint presentation, but we do not provide any additional technical equipment or rigging for live performances.
Presentations must be held in English.
Preview
A preview is an opportunity to show an excerpt from your work. The exact duration will be communicated after selection and will be between 10–30 minutes.
Previews will be presented in a black box stage at Riksteatern, equipped with basic sound and lighting. Some rigging is possible.
Stage dimensions (performance area): 9 m width × 6 m depth × 8 m height.
Digital catalogue
Selected companies are offered a spot on the CirkusExpo website with a 3-minute pre-produced video presentation of the project, along with their own information page.
The video is produced by the company and must be delivered in mp4 format (HD resolution 1080p).
Application guidelines
Please note that the filmed material in the application must be downloadable via a link.
- Complete the application form.
- For already touring productions: A trailer of the performance (mandatory) and a full-length video of the performance (if possible)
- For upcoming productions: Filmed work-in-progress material
- The application will only be processed if, no later than the deadline September 13, you also send an email to including a photo representing the project, in both portrait and landscape high-resolution format (300 dpi), in jpg or tif
The image(s) will be used in the online catalogue on Riksteatern’s website and may also be used for marketing purposes during the event. The company/artist is responsible for securing the rights to use the image(s) for these purposes.
Selection criteria
- Only companies/artists based in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland may apply
- The production must be available for booking no later than autumn 2027. For projects not yet completed, the premiere must be planned no later than 2028
- The selection takes into account different target audiences, formats, aesthetic expressions, concepts, and artistic quality
- Perspectives considered: artistic quality, format, target audience, diversity, norm-critical and gender perspectives
The focus is on presenting a high-quality, dynamic, and varied programme of projects suitable for different venues and contexts.
Selection Panels
For Swedish companies:
The selection is made by a reference group with representatives from various organizations working with circus in Sweden, along with Riksteatern’s Artistic Director for Circus.
The selection is made by a reference group with representatives from Circus & Dance Finland and Riksteatern’s Artistic Director for Circus.
Important Dates
- August 17, 2026: Application for pitch/previews opens
- September 13, 2026: Application closes
- September 13, 2026: Deadline for submitting project photo (portrait and landscape, 300 dpi, jpg or tif)
- September 24 – 30, 2026: Notification sent by email
- Support for Participation
- Selected Sweden-based circus artists will receive information about travel and accommodation support with the selection notification in September.
Within the collaboration with Circus & Dance Finland, Finnish circus artists are offered travel and accommodation support. Information will be provided to selected companies, which will be contacted by Circus & Dance Finland.
Danish circus artists can apply for travel grants via the Danish Arts Foundation via this link.