Neighbours, new friends and the Northshore Brisbane community went above and beyond to support Flipside Circus during a challenging start to 2024.

Queensland’s largest youth arts organisation was left without a home when a fire damaged its purpose-built Brisbane Circus Centre in January.

But Flipside Circus will soon have a roof over its head again with the final repair work – including installing the brand-new roof – nearing completion.

The not-for-profit organisation plans to celebrate its imminent return to full strength with a packed program of classes, performances, open days and special events over the next few months.

While his focus is firmly on an exciting future, Flipside Circus CEO and Artistic Director Robert Kronk reflected on the generosity and assistance that helped the arts organisation during its darkest days.

“The silver lining over the past few months has been the support we have received from our community and friends,” Mr Kronk said.

“Our community came together to raise funds in the first days to help the organisation survive; other circuses and artists lent us gear; our trainers and staff have gone above and beyond, and our participants and families have been extremely supportive.”

Northshore Brisbane neighbours and precinct partners also leapt into action with Superordinary, Pink Flamingo Spiegeland and Eat Street Northshore hosting Flipside Circus programs, classes and workshops over the past few months.

“Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has also played an active role in supporting Flipside during this time including offering a number of alternative spaces suitable for storage and performance activities. In addition, GroLife Property Services has contributed to the upkeep of the Brisbane Circus Centre’s grounds, ensuring they remain well-maintained during vacancy.”

“Being part of this local community has helped us get back up and keep going. It makes a big difference when something like this happens to know that your neighbours and friends care and will help out,” Mr Kronk added.

Contemporary multi-arts space Superordinary rolled out the welcome – and practice – mats for Flipside Circus to conduct weekday classes, events and workshops.

Temporary aerial rigs were installed inside the venue for aerial skills lessons along with rollout mats for floor-based classes, said Superordinary Creative Director Lincoln Savage.

“We believe it is essential for artists and arts organisations to support each other, creating a wide network that contributes to a positive societal impact,” Mr Savage said.

The two arts companies shared an instant affinity and are planning ways to transform their temporary collaboration into a more permanent partnership.

“We anticipate many more collaborations and positive outcomes as we leverage the innovative energy of the artists and arts workers involved in both organisations,” Mr Savage said, nominating co-hosted events as one future goal.

Flipside Circus has a global reputation as an incubator of young talent and has trained more than one million people in circus arts since 1994, including artists who went on to enjoy careers with Cirque du Soleil, The Pink Flamingo and Circa.

Pink Flamingo Spiegeland Brisbane quickly found space in its riverside venue and performance schedule to offer Flipside Circus a rent-free lifeline to train young performers.

“You don’t need your neighbours until you do, and we hope that we can be there for our local community when it matters most,” Pink Flamingo Managing Director Peter Snee said.

The vibrant new addition to Northshore Brisbane was thrilled to learn Flipside Circus was moving back home and Mr Snee said he was confident the two companies would continue collaborating.

“With our combined passion for entertainment, artist training and sustainable employment in the arts, it won’t be too long before our paths cross again,” he said.

Eat Street Northshore is one of the precinct’s most established tenants and has witnessed more than a decade of change.

Managing Director John Harrison said he had also experienced the power of community and seen first-hand how small, neighbourly acts can lift and strengthen the precinct.

“No matter whether you live in the precinct, have a business or work here, we all seem to pull together as a close community and make things happen,” Mr Harrison said.

“Flipside Circus was just settling into its new home when the fire occurred, and we felt absolutely terrible for the entire team.

“So much work had gone into the setup of their new premises, and you could see the growth in the number of classes and participants since they opened; it was just such unfortunate timing.”

Eat Street Northshore came to the rescue during the busy school holiday period, hosting Flipside Circus’s popular children’s holiday workshops in its Laneway precinct.

It wasn’t just arts and leisure organisations opening their doors to Flipside Circus with EDQ, Northshore Brisbane’s master developer, also jumping at the chance to join the circus.

EDQ Senior Development Manager Phillip Roth said the state’s land-planning and development agency was delighted to make Northshore Brisbane’s diverse spaces available to Flipside Circus.

The Shed became a rehearsal studio for upcoming productions and a venue for Flipside Fridays workshops while the Maritime Green hangar and the dome at the Workshops and Maker Spaces served as practice grounds for the team.

“At EDQ, we believe in standing by our precinct partners, not just in times of success, but also during challenging periods,” Mr Roth said.

“Northshore Brisbane is more than just a location; it’s a thriving hub of collaboration and our precinct partners, including Flipside Circus, are the heartbeat of this community.

“The sense of unity and belonging that they foster is truly inspiring and it’s been an honour to extend our support and witness the support shown to the Flipside Circus team.”

Mr Kronk said while the past six months were a difficult period for the Flipside Circus community, it was heartening to realise how valued the arts organisation was and how quickly and willingly support was offered.

“The experience has definitely helped us make deeper connections in the precinct and we can’t wait to host everyone when we’re back home,” he said.

Mr Kronk also extended his thanks to Flipside Circus’s funding partners – the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Australian Government through Creative Australia, EDQ through Northshore Brisbane and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation – as well as the army of donors, suppliers and friends who helped keep the organisation going through the challenging period.

To support Flipside Circus’s ongoing fire appeal with a tax-deductible donation, visit flipsidecircus.org.au

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