NICA announces new Head of Circus Studies
In Summary
- James Brown graduated NICA in 2003
- Appointment follows Mr Lu Guang Rong OAM’s promotion
- Swinburne established NICA in 1999
National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) has appointed 2003 graduate James Brown to the role of Head of Circus Studies.
“I will be focusing on creating ‘industry ready’ artists through realistic and meaningful assessment tasks. I am confident that our new directions will further nurture NICA students to perform, create and develop into innovative artists who contribute to the evolution of the Australian circus industry,” Mr Brown says.
He will follow on from founder and former Head of Circus Studies Mr Lu Guang Rong OAM’s promotion to the position of Director (International Engagement).
“As the former Head of Circus Studies, I am confident that with the help and support of the NICA team, James will raise circus education to the next level, meeting the needs of the post-contemporary circus movement,” Mr Lu says.
James Brown was selected in the first intake of students to the Bachelor of Circus Arts in 2001. After his graduation from NICA James quickly established and co-founded his own business, ThisSideUp Acrobatics specialising in corporate and festival entertainment.
NICA students graduate with a qualification backed by Swinburne and go on to great success as circus performers around the world.
In 2015, Swinburne and the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) welcomed a historic $17.5 million funding agreement from the Australian Government’s Ministry for the Arts.
About NICA
NICA is a national not-for-profit arts training organisation registered as a cultural organisation. It is primarily funded by the Australian Government’s Ministry for the Arts and is supported by the Victorian Government through Skills Victoria and is the only arts training institute in the Southern Hemisphere to offer a degree in circus arts.