WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

Intervention through Circus and Magic:
The Story of Winnipeg's Circus and Magic Partnership

The Circus and Magic Partnership is a true community partnership of many community and government agencies, artists, and peer mentors who have joined forces to give young people, who often do not believe in hopes and dreams, an opportunity to believe in themselves. The C.A.M.P. project is a stepping-stone for young people to develop as productive, contributing members of the community.

THE CIRCUS AND MAGIC PARTNERSHIP (C.A.M.P.) has received numerous awards, including the Provincial Department of Justice Crime Prevention Award and the Premier's Volunteer Service Award. C.A.M.P. is an extremely successful and active example of artistic intervention that provides many positive proactive arts and education opportunities for Manitoban "youth-at-risk. "

Originally developed by the Winnipeg International Children's Festival in 1996, the Circus and Magic Partnership is now an independent organization with multiple initiatives that reach a greater number of vulnerable youth each year.

Its programmes include:

– A one-week tour of Northern Manitoban communities to provide skill training and performance development to over 300 youth and to train local teachers and recreation personnel in the use of circus and magic in intervention and education.

– A one-week circus and magic camp in a Winnipeg school during Spring Break. World-class circus artists, magicians, and arts instructors facilitate interactive workshops and activities for over 250 youth-at-risk recruited in partnership with schools, the Police Department, social service agencies, and inner-city drop-in and resource centres. The week culminates with a performance by the youth for their families, friends, and fellow participants.

– An eight-week day camp programme and a Performance Troupe Development Programme at a Neighbourhood Centre in Winnipeg to continue development in the circus and magic arts - open to Spring Break camp participants, their family, friends, and youth from the surrounding neighbourhood.

– Feature performances and public workshops by the C.A.M.P. participants and returning artist/instructors at the Winnipeg International Children's Festival and other corporate and community events such as the Festival of Fools. Youth perform for and mentor other youth.

The C.A.M.P. 's Performance Troupe "Chemical Reaction" is comprised of 20 to 30 of the most motivated and advanced participants. Troupe performers are paid honorariums for their performances. A highlight in 2002 was performing for Her Royal Highness The Queen of England and Prince Philip as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations at The Forks.

Key components of the entire project are the measurement of success indicators and a comprehensive impact assessment, which are integrated into each aspect of project programming. With the assistance of the J.W. McConnell Foundation, the C.A.M.P. contracted the services of a professional research firm to track the progress, social behaviour, and school results of a group of project participants. The C.A.M.P. also receives frequent reports on many past and present participants who are involved with the CHOICES program, a joint initiative of the City of Winnipeg Police Department and Winnipeg School Division #1.

The Circus and Magic Partnership is a true community partnership of many community and government agencies, artists, and peer mentors who have joined forces to give young people, who often do not believe in hopes and dreams, an opportunity to believe in themselves. The C.A.M.P. project is a stepping-stone for young people to develop as productive, contributing members of the community.

Key Benefits

• Youth arts programs, such as Winnipeg's Circus and Magic Partnership, build self-esteem and self-confidence for hundreds of at-risk youth.
• C.A.M.P. trains local teachers, recreation co-ordinators, and peer mentors in Winnipeg and several Northern communities - expanding the reach and scope of the programme and multiplying its successes.
• Youth arts programs build a concerted community partnership among artists, government and community organizations, schools, police, and drop-in and resource centres for youth at-risk. They help young people develop as productive and contributing members of their communities and other youth.
• Through ongoing attention to assessment, projects like C.A.M.P. contributes to the general argument for support of arts intervention.

• Offer unique and exciting skill-gaining opportunities. Each year, the C.A.M.P. has added more complex and difficult circus and magic arts to the programme.
• Provide an honorarium for Troupe performers as a powerful and tangible motivator, in addition to positive public response, for continuation of training and development.
• Particularly at-risk communities (Aboriginal, immigrant/refugee, street-involved, and criminally-involved youth) require concerted and specifically targeted outreach.
• Develop programmes as a partnership with government agencies, schools, social service agencies, the police, and drop-in and resource centres. Seek referrals from these agencies to reach youth most in need.
• Expand the reach of programmes by training local teachers and recreation co-ordinators in local communities. Develop a team of youth peer mentors.
• Develop the means for continual monitoring of success indicators, impact assessments, and tracking of participants. These are key for project development, improvement, and growth.

For further information:
Neal Rempel
Executive Producer, Winnipeg International Children's Festival Inc.
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Photo: The always terrifying "9 person Pyramid of....Death!". C.A.M.P. photo archives.

Profile by: Steven R. Dang (Creative City Network of Canada, 2005-2006).

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