Dancing in CERCLES: Perth Festival Show Excels at Bringing People Together

Why It Matters

CERCLES demonstrates a scalable model for community‑engaged contemporary dance, proving that high‑art choreography can thrive outside traditional theatres while attracting diverse audiences and new funding pathways.

Key Takeaways

• CERCLES staged in Perth, first non‑European showing
• 150 public participants learned 40‑minute choreography
• 12 Australian artists served as workshop leaders
• Project funded primarily through philanthropy and modest grants
• Highlights growing demand for free, participatory dance events

Pulse Analysis

The rise of public‑space dance projects reflects a broader shift toward inclusive cultural experiences. Boris Charmatz’s CERCLES, rooted in centuries‑old traditions of communal movement, leverages intensive workshops to transform amateurs into co‑creators of high‑art choreography. By situating the performance in Perth’s Forest Place, the work bypasses conventional venues, inviting passersby and families to witness and partake in a collective kinetic event, thereby expanding the audience base for contemporary dance.

For STRUT Dance, CERCLES serves as a cornerstone of the Perth Moves initiative, which prioritises free‑viewing and free‑participation events. The project's financial architecture—predominantly philanthropic contributions complemented by modest Creative Australia and state arts funding—illustrates a viable funding mix for risk‑averse donors. Demonstrating tangible community impact helped secure donor confidence, suggesting that similar participatory models can attract sustainable support without relying solely on ticket revenue.

Industry observers see CERCLES as a template for democratising the stage worldwide. By marrying rigorous artistic standards with open‑access formats, the project challenges the notion that contemporary dance must remain elite or venue‑bound. Cities seeking to revitalize cultural engagement can replicate this approach, leveraging local artists as facilitators and tapping philanthropic networks. As audiences increasingly value experiential, inclusive art, projects like CERCLES are poised to shape the future programming strategies of festivals and arts organisations alike.