The BNG Circus Award returns in 2026 in a renewed and considerably strengthened form. Since April 15, 2026, the doors of the BNG Circus Award have opened for a new generation of circus makers as well as programmatic creators within the broad Dutch circus field. With an updated structure, a total package of €20,000 and a strong focus on visibility and sustainable career development, the award takes a major step forward.
What makes this edition particularly noteworthy is its clear commitment to diversity: the award is not only intended for contemporary circus makers working in theatres and black boxes, but equally for traditional circus makers, tent productions, clown performances, site-specific work and innovative crossovers.
Whether you are developing a dramaturgically layered black-box performance, creating a new clown solo, assembling a tent production with a strong artistic vision or producing a location-based performance in public space: the renewed BNG Circus Award aims precisely to highlight and strengthen the diversity of circus in the Netherlands.
What is the BNG Circus Award?
The BNG (Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten) Circus Award is an annual prize for a circus production based in the Netherlands. The award is coordinated by Circuspunt (the platform for the united Dutch circus field) and supported by Festival Circolo and various other venues and festivals across the Netherlands.
Its goal is to stimulate a stronger climate and greater visibility for circus in the Netherlands, to select and support a new production, and to contribute to the sustainable career development of circus makers.
These goals align with BNG’s strategic vision, in which societal impact, visibility and collaboration are central.
The open call for the 2026 edition runs from April 15 until May 30.
Who can apply?
There is no preference regarding aesthetics, subject, form, spatial setting, discipline, duration or target audience. All creative contexts (outdoor, site-specific, tent, theatre…), all disciplines and all interdisciplinary collaborations between circus and other art forms are eligible.
However, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- You are creating a circus performance that will premiere after May 31, 2026
- You and/or the production are based in the Netherlands and/or you have an active working practice in the Netherlands
- You have been active as a professional in the field since at least 2024
- The performance is not a standalone act
- You have an existing legal structure that does not receive structural funding
If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can contact the Circuspunt coordinator: stephan.bikker@circuspunt.nl
What can you win?
The award consists of two parts:
1. A cash prize of €10,000
This budget allows you to prepare and realize the performance. Thanks to its flexibility, it can be used for different circus formats (tent, theatre, festival), for example for:
- Residencies, rehearsals, adaptations, reprises
- Travel costs, accommodation, overnight stays
- Making the performance accessible for touring in the Dutch market
- Artistic coaching (outside eye)
- Marketing materials, photography, recordings
- Technical support
2. A professionalization trajectory worth €10,000
The winner, together with professional support, will organize a series of performances in the following year. This support is demand-driven and focuses on:
- Developing a strategic touring plan
- Increasing visibility and publicity
- Developing marketing materials
- Contact and coordination with programmers
This budget is fully allocated to external expertise, such as:
- A creative producer
- A distributor
- A marketer
- A fundraiser
How does the selection process work?
The selection consists of three stages:
- Open call (April 15 – May 31)
- Selection of up to four projects (before June 30)
- Online committee interview and final selection of the winner
Applicants must submit:
- An artistic dossier
- A link to a video recording of work in progress
- Annexes: CVs, preliminary technical plan, budget and schedule
The committee evaluates applications based on:
- Originality and dramaturgical strength
- Societal impact and relevance
- Quality of the performance
- Feasibility of the plan
All applicants will be notified before June 30 whether they have been selected. This is followed by interviews, after which one winner is chosen. During the interview, attention is also given to the maker’s position in society and their vision on authorship.
The 2026 committee consists of:
- Anette Embrechts
- Do Verschagen
- Frens te Kiefte
- Melody Nolan
Stephan Bikker (Circuspunt) acts as coordinator and facilitates the process.
All selected projects receive personalized feedback (if desired).
Additional information
Selected projects benefit from the communication channels of Circuspunt, Festival Circolo and partners.
By applying, you commit to being available during:
- September 16–20, 2026
- The last two weeks of September 2027 (for the Festival Circolo showcase)
Artistic dossier:
May include text, images, mood boards and references. Submit as one PDF:
“NAME ARTIST_Project Name.pdf”
Video recording:
- Provide a link (no file upload)
- Maximum length: 10 minutes
- Not a pitch, but showing the work itself
- Limited editing
Annexes (in one file):
- Technical rider
- CV(s)
- Schedule
- Budget
File name:
“NAME ARTIST_Project Name_ANNEX.pdf”
Send your application to: bngcircusprijs@circuspunt.nl
You will receive a confirmation after submission. If not, please get in touch.
Questions: stephan.bikker@circuspunt.nl
Timeline
April – May: open call
End of June: announcement of selected projects
August: interviews
September: Festival Circolo showcase and announcement of the winner
October – December: tour preparation
January – December (following year): touring period
More about Circuspunt — www.circuspunt.nl
More about BNG — www.bngbank.nl/en/bng-culture-fund
More about Festival Circolo — www.festivalcircolo.nl
An award that embraces the full breadth of circus
What makes this renewed BNG Circus Award particularly strong is that it does not impose an artistic direction, but instead takes the full breadth of circus seriously.
From contemporary author-driven performances to classically structured ring programs with a clear artistic vision: circus in all its forms is given a platform here.
And it is precisely in that openness that this award can grow into an important instrument for strengthening the Dutch circus field.
