The Givol Circus Project
The democratic – community school in Givat Olga, Hadera, Israel

Two months ago, at the request of the director of Givol, Yariv Yaari, , I undertook the mission to write a comprehensive circus project for the school and the community, for the purpose of funding the school’s circus activities.

The project is now written and the fund-raising process is under way.

It is time now, to give a general outline of what this is: a project with a long-term vision for the school and the Givat Olga community, in Hadera, Israel.

The Vision

Circus has become, in the last two years, a well known and demanded activity in Givol.
Its power as a tool for development and growth for students of the school, has been well validated.
It is clear to us, that circus can be an instrument (as is music at the Music Center and books in the Community library) for social change, in the community, which the school is committed to.

In light of the wider recognition in circus arts, around the world, as an effective educational and social tool; and given the many successes in the field, we consider ourselves, responsible and committed to develop circus arts, to the best of our abilities. Within the school itself, as a major part of the curriculum, as well as an important tool in the school’s social activity.

As a school supported by the Ministry of Education, we see the possibility of promoting circus teaching in Givol, as a goal of educational, communal, but also national importance.
The greatest achievement of the implementation of this goal, at first, will be to submit an organized pedagogical plan for matriculation in circus arts to the Ministry of Education. This will be the first program of its kind in the country. In doing so, we intend to have Givol become a center, students will aspire to come and study in from different parts of Israel. 

An appropriate program for matriculation in circus arts, requires extensive preparation and implementation, of teaching standards that do not exist in circus arts teaching, in Israel until today. We are, therefore consciously ready to take the responsibility for leading such an important evolutionary process.
A large investment of education and circus professionals, will be required to bring this plan to execution. This investment, will build an unshakable foundation, also to promote social activity with circus arts in the community, beyond school hours.
To build such a system there is a need to invest, as of today, and we do that to the best of our ability, in educating the staff, students and community, for a deeper understanding of what circus is; what is intended in “Circus arts”; and what other professions are related to it.
Such development will create new job opportunities of various kinds for children and youth that study in the school, as well as for adults in the community surrounding it.
We therefore consider of great importance, national and international collaborations with professional institutions, at the highest level.

We intend to turn the school into a center of artistic and professional activities that will enable children, youth, adults and the entire community to see, experience and experiment with circus arts and skills as part of a comprehensive cultural activity. We thus see performances, workshops, lectures, an international festival and more, open to the public, as part of what the center will provide.

Basic values from the world of circus will become values for an entire community, such as: Fun, creative confrontation with fear and challenges, transcendence beyond  boundaries of what seems possible, success, humor and ability to laugh at ourselves, self-discipline as well as a great sensitivity for others, teamwork and mutual support, respect and appreciation for oneself and those around you, risk-taking and responsibility, understanding risks, joy, satisfaction and self-fulfillment.
These, combined with meeting artists in many different contexts and shows, will extend the horizons of hope and confidence in our ability to change the circumstances and to create out of them and notwithstanding them, a magnificent future for everyone.

Our aim is to make of Givat Olga, a creative teaching center which will be a magnet for the neighborhood, and its environs, to all of Hadera, Israel and the whole world.
We are committed to take a stand for this future as of now and at the same time, to address the existential needs of this activity, every day.
From this vision and our faith in it we act here and now.

Phases of the project:

1. Development and expansion of Circus arts teaching in the next school year 2010-2011.Expansion of the teaching activities and circus education, into the community of Givat Olga and the environs, as part of the afternoon activities. This, in conjunction with the Community Music Center and the library, that already exist and operate in place.
2. Writing a comprehensive plan for three years of study, in circus arts for matriculation and its submission to the Ministry of Education.
3. Subject to the approval of the plan and comprehensive fundraising - the establishment of a dedicated structure for Circus arts teaching, on the appropriate school grounds.
4. Establishment of an international creation center for contemporary circus, working in close collaboration with the teaching activities in the school and within the community.

Since the establishment of The Free Dome Project in Binyamina in 2001, I was not yet offered to write and accompany the establishment of long-term project such as the Givol Circus Project. It is groundbreaking and of significant importance for me, on a personal and professional level, but mostly on a national and international scale.

I spent the last two months writing a comprehensive plan for submission to funds and fund-raising, as well as an internal document for practical implementation of the plan, according to its stages.

I came to know better Ronny Shalev who teaches circus skills and some of her talents and abilities, I came to know Anastasia Shmueli, engaged in fund raising, and Yariv Yaari, the director of the school, naturally. I met the wonderful staff of the school, and the circus project team began working together in collaboration with Jean - David Abramowicz who is working with me on Foreign Relations, in the work that I do in recent years

So far, we received permission from the management of the "Tohu" in Montreal, to use it and the work done with its partners in the Saint Michel quarter, as a research laboratory, for our future work. Thus, subject to appropriate support, we will be going on a study tour to Canada, in April 2011.

Rumors of the project slowly find their way across the sea and therefore, it is very important for me to put this message out there -
It opens officially the door, for each and every one of Israels, or world citizens, to know of the existence of this exciting project.
You may thus wish to contact us, in search of more information and ask more questions, as well as to take a stand and express the will or desire to support in any possible way, the realization of the vision of this unique project

Beyond financial contributions, which will be welcomed and possible very soon. You can support us in any other way, donations of circus equipment, applying for teaching - currently looking for a qualified instructor for Trampoline, teaching assistant for the following classes: juggling, Acro-balance, unicycle and the like.

We look forward to each comment!    

At on@contemporarycircus.com

Orit Nevo
And the Givol Circus Project team: Ronny Shalev, Yariv Yaari, Anastasia Shmueli, Jean - David  Abramovicz