The National Endowment for the Arts has revoked a critical grant from the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus, leaving the Philadelphia institution scrambling to save its year-end production, just weeks before its premiere.
The NEA abruptly rescinded a $15,000 grant earmarked for ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’, a highly anticipated performance by the school’s graduating class. Set to premiere May 30 and 31, as part of the Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival, the show now faces an uncertain future.
“This is a shocking development,” said Shana Kennedy, Executive Director of Circadium. “We received no prior indication that our funding was at risk. Our students have poured their hearts, bodies, and creativity into this production, and now we are left scrambling to determine how—or even whether— the show can go on. It is unclear whether we can raise the funds in time to replace what has been lost.”
The grant was applied for and due in 2024, and has been in motion for over one year, according to Circadium officials, adding that the period for programs and events is dated January to June 2025. The termination notice came through an automated email message sent to artists and arts organizations nationwide.
The notice read, in part: “The National Endowment for the Arts will no longer offer award funding for the project….The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President. Consequently, we are terminating awards that fall outside these new priorities. Funding is being allocated in a new direction in furtherance of the Administration’s agenda.”
Circadium is the first and only fully accredited school of higher education for circus arts in the United States, and offers a diploma-granting three-year program to cultivate a new generation of circus creators. The school has earned national recognition for its innovative curriculum and for expanding the boundaries of contemporary performance.
‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’, a multidisciplinary performance, is under the direction of French circus artist Daniel Gulko, the artistic director of the circus company Cahin-Caha. As a result of the finding cuts, Circadium staff have created an emergency funding appeal, and are seeking donations.
“We will do everything in our power to keep this production alive,” Kennedy said. “But we need help.”
