ABOUT SANCA

The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts was founded in 2004 with a vision to bring the joy of circus arts to children of all ages. A fledgling nonprofit with 5 students in a tiny warehouse turned into a decades-long journey of circus arts education and performance, with a focus on access and inclusion. SANCA took over operations at Emerald City Trapeze Arts in 2023, joining two iconic Seattle schools and giving SANCA an incredible venue to expand our mission.

Last year, 800 students experienced joy and movement at SANCA every week. Annually, SANCA serves more than 30,000 people with circus classes and camps, school programs, workshops, and public performances.

Through circus arts, SANCA offers a broad array of experiences that are physically challenging as well as socially enriching. We provide youth and adults with a non-gendered, non-competitive, creative and fun environment for physical activity. From flying trapeze to aerial fabric to trampoline to juggle jam, there is something for everyone!

OUR MISSION

SANCA’s mission is to improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of children of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities by engaging them in the joyous creativity of acrobatics and circus arts.

OUR VISION

Circus is the home of the spectacular . . .

We dream of a world in which all people share in an inspired and thriving community transformed by world-class instruction, performance, and play.

We know in our bodies that every body can benefit from the joys of circus. We are unbounded in our imagination and unbridled in our passion to explore the fullest capacities of the human body and spirit.

We know in our minds that lives can be forever changed by a single moment of inspiration. We nurture a broad spectrum of creative expression from clownish hilarity to acrobatic virtuosity.

We know in our hearts that circus arts provide vital pathways to personal and collective empowerment. We cultivate the spectacular in unexpected places, dissolve perceived differences, and celebrate our shared strength.

CIRCUS IS FOR EVERY BODY!

SANCA’S VALUES

The SANCA community embraces the following core values in the work we do, the circus we learn, and the relationships we build:

INCLUSIVITY: We create a welcoming community that fosters trust, cooperation, and a sense of belonging. We provide access for all to experience the joy of circus arts, whether as active participants, as engaged spectators, or as patrons of circus arts.

PLAY: We delight in the joy of creative play, laughter, and having fun. Circus gives us opportunities to grow our minds, grow our bodies, and grow our hearts.

RESPECT: We believe mutual respect is the bedrock of a healthy community. We treat ourselves and others with integrity and compassion in our words and deeds.

EXCELLENCE: We hold ourselves and each other to the highest personal and safety standards. Understanding that failure and humility are integral to success and growth, we encourage persistence in the face of challenges.

CREATIVITY: We create opportunities that ignite our imaginations and cultivate wonder in our community.

We are a Non-Profit Circus Arts Organization

SANCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID: 20-0300045) committed to serving students from all economic backgrounds by providing tuition scholarships.

Since 2004, SANCA has awarded more than $2,000,000 in need-based scholarships! Your tax deductible gift supports SANCA’s Youth Scholarship Fund as well as programs like Every Body’s Circus for students with specialized needs and/or disabilities, our Youth Performance Companies, Artist-in-Residency space grants, and more! Help us make the impossible possible!