Flying Fruit Fly Circus to lead art circus hub in Melbourne and looks to recruit for management and marketing

Flying Fruit Fly Circus, one of Australia’s most successful regional creative companies will lead a new, state-of-the-art circus hub in Melbourne – delivering a vibrant, inclusive hub for artists and companies in Victoria’s circus and physical theatre sector.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks announced the appointment of Flying Fruit Fly Circus as the new head tenant of the 50 Perry Street site in Collingwood, opening up access to the purpose-built rehearsal, performance and creative development facility.

Under the leadership of Flying Fruit Fly Circus, the facility will be reimagined as Circus Centre Melbourne.

With two large studios, collaborative working areas and multi-purpose spaces, the centre will become a destination for the industry to meet, create and perform. The Government-owned facility was originally built in collaboration with Circus Oz and opened in 2014. Circus Oz remains a tenant on the site.

Minister Brooks noted “this will be a game-changer that opens up this facility while offering programs that will strengthen the sector and support the next generation of performing artists.

“Flying Fruit Fly Circus has led the charge for 45 years, and bringing their vision to Melbourne through Circus Centre Melbourne is a great example of how regional arts organisations are major players in our state’s creative scene.”

Beyond offering spaces for hire at affordable rates, Circus Centre Melbourne will also lay the foundation for long-term sector sustainability through new programs to back the creative development of original work and support emerging companies to build their business skills and capabilities.

Founded in Albury-Wodonga in 1979, Flying Fruit Fly Circus is Australia’s National Youth Circus and the country’s only full-time circus school for primary and secondary students. From its regional homebase, the company has grown a global reputation for producing exceptional graduates and creating its own acclaimed touring productions.

The company’s expansion into Melbourne will see the recruitment of a new Melbourne-based team to lead the development of Circus Centre Melbourne. The new venue will build on the company’s decades of experience in managing their existing state-of-the-art circus training facility in Albury-Wodonga.

Given the range of spaces available at the Collingwood venue, including fit-for-purpose circus studios with the latest equipment and flexible rehearsal spaces, the new Melbourne team will ensure the centre is open year-round with bookings open to performers and companies across multiple artforms.

Circus Centre Melbourne is expected to open later this year. Now that the head tenant has been announced, Flying Fruit Fly Circus will engage with the sector, including peak body Theatre Network Australia, to ensure the vision for the Centre is realised.

Flying Fruit Fly Circus Chief Executive Richard Hull added “this has been a rigorous public tender process and I am grateful to the Victorian Government for putting its faith in Flying Fruit Fly Circus to reimagine this stunning venue.

"Expanding our footprint across two sites will strengthen pathways for young circus artists into professional careers and provide extraordinary new opportunities for the Circus and Physical Theatre sector in Victoria. We want the best new work to be made in Melbourne. We're thrilled to have secured the future of 50 Perry Street for our artform.”

Flying Fruit Fly Circus are seeking exceptional individuals for two newly created roles:

CIRCUS CENTRE MANAGER

“A rare opportunity to shape a new cultural landmark in Australia's most creative city.

“You are a dynamic and experienced leader with the skills, commitment and passion to deliver the launch and run the day-to-day operations of Circus Centre Melbourne – an exciting new hub for circus artists, companies, and communities.

“This is a new hands-on leadership role perfect for someone who wants to help develop the future of Australian circus from the ground up. (Based in Melbourne)”

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

“You are an energetic and creative Marketing & Communications Officer with the imagination and skills to tell the story of one of the country’s most unique performing arts and training organisations.

“This is a new role for someone who loves storytelling, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and is ready to capture and communicate the incredible things that happen every day in our training centres, on tour, and on stage. (Based in Albury-Wodonga)

“Come and join our extraordinary team at this pivotal moment as we grow our facilities, programs and vision.”

Details and how to apply