INAC is an international center dedicated exclusively to circus arts, based in the North of Portugal.
The Institute has two main missions: to train artists who have an multidisciplinary approach which can lead to the development and establishment of new artistic aesthetics; and to reach out to all audiences, spreading and implementing contemporary circus in Portugal, providing a new offer and enriching the current cultural panorama.
Traditionally, the circus is a "big family", and INAC is no exception. All of our projects are made with love for what we do, compassion, and a lot of hard work.

The building 

INAC classes run under a 3000m2 space, organized between: circus area, acrobatic area, dance and theatre studio, theoretical room, artistic residence space with  black box, photo and vídeo studio.

INAC is open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 21:00.

The projects 

Here are some of INAC projects: “Professional Circus Program”, “Preparatory Circus program”, “Circo de papel” (contemporary circus shows under a circus tent), “Circo por Todos” (Social project), “Artistic residences”, “Circo à noite” (regular circus classes from 3 years old), “Cupula Festival” (Circus Village Festival every year in September).

Curriculum offered

1. Professional Circus Program
2. Preparatory Circus Program
3. Regular Circus Classes

• Professional Circus Program:

INAC’s contemporary circus training program is aimed at stimulating and training young circus artists in a high technical and artistic level.

• 2-year courses, with a total of 2800 hours.
• September to June, from 9:00 to 17:30
• 3300€ per year

• Preparatory Circus Program

This is a course focused on the technical aspect of Circus, giving the students the tools needed for a healthy regurlar circus practice. Besides the circus techniques, there are the acrobatics disciplines and some of the artistic disciplines. The students work in a laboratory where they prepare a public presentation. At the end of the preparatory year, the students will be ready for auditioning the professional circus program at INAC or any other professional circus school.

•  1-year course, with a total of 1400 hours.
• September to June, from 9h00 to 17h30
• 3300€ per year

Admission

for both Professional and preparatory program

Entry requirements:

• Aged 18 and over
• A high school diploma or a higher education diploma (not mandatory)
• Providing a medical certificate for sports activities

Selection procedure:

• Physical fitness test (strength and flexibility)
• Acrobatic Tests
• Interpretation Workshop
• Movement Workshop
• Presentation of an individual act lasting a maximum of 3 minutes,
• Individual interview
   

Every year, INAC offers one scolarship to one student, for the 2-year professional circus program.

More info: www.inac.com.pt