BLACK LIVES MATTER

Cirqulation believes no business or person is exempt from the call to dismantle systems of oppression. We wish to amplify the fight for racial justice and state our support for the Black community. We are committed to understanding and dismantling systemic racism. Before we can embody our philosophy of bringing folks the joy they deserve through movement, we must seek to understand the systems of oppression we may perpetuate. We embrace the responsibility to uphold the values of our community by challenging white supremacy, ableism, and all systems of oppression. This is not a passive statement. We know this requires a continued commitment and willingness to show up with intention and humility.

These are tangible actions Cirqulation plans to take:

• Implementing a community code of conduct (separate from our waiver) and agreements that all students will be required to agree to before attending a class.

• Continuing to enforce a zero tolerance policy towards any form of harassment or other discriminatory behavior.

• Actively seeking feedback and constructive criticism from our community members and adding a form to our website that will allow anonymous submissions at any time

• Developing an advisory committee that will help us make our offerings more accessible (especially to underserved BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) people in Roanoke) through new projects, outreach and scholarships.

• Seeking sponsorship from a 501(c)3 in order to accept tax deductible donations for scholarship funds.

• Collaborating with BIPOC artists in our region and in the larger circus community to support and share resources.

• Continuing to invest time in anti-racism education, including researching and challenging racism in the movement arts, circus and performing arts communities.

Why talk about the future of Cirqulation and circus arts while Black people are being murdered by police? The problems with policing in the United States don't exist in isolation, they're a legacy of white supremacy which pervades all aspects of society, the arts, including our circus community, is no exception. The onus is on us to combat these injustices within our own community.

"The Arts has the capacity to shift culture. We live in a culture that needs change urgently. Not tomorrow. Right Here. Right Now. We stand in the Creative Revolution"
- Hot Brown Honey