INAC – Instituto Nacional de Artes do Circo

INAC, the Instituto Nacional de Artes do Circo (National Institute of Circus Arts), was set up in 2016 in Vila Nova de Famalicão, north of Porto. It describes itself as an international centre devoted entirely to circus arts. Its work covers training, from beginners to professionals, as well as supporting new circus shows, running festivals and artist residencies, research and community projects focused on inclusion.

Most of what happens during the day is for professional and aspiring circus artists. In the evenings, INAC opens its training space to the public for Circo à Noite, “circus at night”.

Circo à Noite is a programme of regular circus classes for all ages, held after the working day. INAC splits it into groups for children and for young people and adults. The disciplines are:

• object manipulation, meaning juggling and other props
• equilibrismo, or balance skills
• aerial acrobatics on apparatus hung from the ceiling
• floor acrobatics

INAC presents it as a regular artistic physical activity, something to do week in, week out, rather than a one-off workshop. Children get to try the range of disciplines, which helps them find what they enjoy before specialising.

The part that makes INAC different is who else is in the building. The same place trains people who are working towards careers in circus, so children in the evening groups are learning where professionals train.

This is the frustrating bit. When we checked, INAC’s Circo à Noite page listed no days, times, prices, minimum age or enrolment process, and its contact page was offline. Contact the institute through the details on its home page before you go, and ask:

• which age groups run this year and on which evenings
• the monthly fee, and whether there’s registration or insurance on top
• whether a trial class is possible
• what your child should wear and bring

INAC runs two full-time courses, both from October to June and both entered by audition:

• The preparatory course, one year, for people who need to strengthen their technical, physical and artistic base before applying to circus schools in Portugal or abroad. It covers physical preparation, acrobatics, aerials, balance and manipulation, alongside building an audition act and portfolio, and collective creation.
• The professional course, two years. The first year covers core circus skills and physical preparation, then students choose a speciality. The second year is about creating their own solo work, ending in a portable show and a public presentation.

The audition looks at physical potential, technical ability, artistic capacity, motivation and commitment to hard training. The course pages don’t give age limits, so a teenager interested in the preparatory year should email candidaturas@inac.com.pt. INAC also runs weekend intensives and masterclasses as part of its continuing training.

INAC’s programme includes events families can attend:

• Circo de Papel, a circus tent for 360 people in the Parque da Juventude in Vila Nova de Famalicão. It runs from November to January, with public sessions from Friday to Sunday and weekday sessions for schools and associations. Check INAC’s site in autumn for this season’s shows and prices.
• Cúpula, a contemporary circus festival held each September in Vila Nova de Gaia. INAC says its programme is entirely free and the festival has had eight editions.

Seeing a show is a good way to decide whether a child would enjoy classes.

INAC suits a child who is serious about circus and lives within reach of Famalicão, Braga or the northern Porto suburbs. Because the institute doesn’t publish its class details, it takes a phone call or email to get started.

In the same municipality, the Museu do Automóvel is a car museum, and indoor karting in Famalicão gives a speed-loving child something else to do. For another sport in the north, Ginásio Clube Vilacondense in Vila do Conde teaches archery.

Does INAC have circus classes for children?

Yes. Circo à Noite has groups for children and for young people and adults, covering juggling, balance, aerial and floor acrobatics. INAC doesn’t publish the times or prices, so contact the institute.

How old do you need to be for the professional circus course?

The course pages don’t say. Entry is by audition; email candidaturas@inac.com.pt to ask about age and requirements.

Can we see a circus show at INAC?

INAC runs Circo de Papel, a 360-seat circus tent in Famalicão’s Parque da Juventude, from November to January, with public shows Friday to Sunday. Its programme also lists the free Cúpula festival in Vila Nova de Gaia each September.

Where is INAC?

At Lugar do Xisto, 4760-727 Vila Nova de Famalicão, according to its website.