Sign the Petitions to Save Welsh Circus, Dance and Musical Theatre from Student Finance Cuts

The Welsh government has announced that new Welsh domiciled students will no longer be able to access public funding from Student Finance Wales to study degree level courses in Circus, Dance and Musical Theatre from September 2026 onwards.

Circomedia and NoFit State Circus (both OutdoorArtsUK members) have published statements outlining their concerns:

Circomedia Statement

We are deeply disappointed with this situation and the impact it has in restricting access to degree-level Circus and Physical Theatre training for Welsh domiciled artists. Circomedia has always benefited from a strong Welsh student community, whose presence has enriched our learning and artistic environment since we opened our doors. The loss of government funded access to our courses will be felt across our community.

Read Circomedia’s full statement here.

NoFit State Circus Statement

In the absence of effective funding, our homegrown circus industry is heavily dominated by predominantly white middle-class people who can afford to pay for classes and coaching.
Without an accessible degree-level education pathway, there is no way that anyone but the super privileged could make their in to the circus world. This decision will also directly affect our own young people’s plans who are currently training in Youth Circus classes at our base in Cardiff.

Read NoFit State’s full statement here.

Sign the Petitions

There are two petitions you can sign to help support the future of circus, dance and musical theatre in Wales:

• Restore a fair funding route so Welsh students aren’t shut out from MT/dance degrees in England (Welsh Parliament Website)

• Save Welsh Circus: Don’t Block Students from Specialist Degrees (Change.Org)