This video and corresponding article are part of ArtsWave’s web series, "Better Know Cincy's Arts," giving a closer look at the organizations that gifts to ArtsWave support. For more episodes, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In Evendale, the circus is always in town. That's where you'll find the only youth circus program in the region. Founded in 1984, My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus is a place where kids can learn to juggle and ride a unicycle. More importantly, it offers a place where young people can build community.

"Circus arts can benefit youth development," explains executive director Jean St. John, adding that the organization's long-term goal is "not necessarily to crank out circus performers, but to give them a sense of belonging — a sense of trust and solidarity." That sort of outcome is critical. Research shows that a strong sense of belonging can improve academic outcomes and fortify mental health in young people.

So...does it work?

Who better to ask than the participants themselves? Asked about the sense of community at My Nose Turns Red, one long-term student shared, "It's great to see the kids that come back and continue to see them progress and grow. Working with them, creating friendships and working together to create something has been a lot of fun."

During the pandemic, My Nose Turns Red got creative to keep the circus going. "Circus in the Parks," a free outdoor program, invited audiences into the ring to learn everything from teeter-tottering on the German wheel to balancing on a globe. "We go to them, they come to us, and we create community," St. John says.

ArtsWave's funding has been crucial for My Nose Turns Red. St. John credits ArtsWave's unrestricted operating support with helping to stabilize the organization's finances, pay sustainable wages to its staff, rent equipment and more. Regular project grants don't typically allow that level of flexibility. "If we did not have ArtsWave's funding, we would not be able to bring this program to the Greater Cincinnati area," she says. "The people that we serve would be greatly reduced."

My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus is about much more than clowning around. It's a vibrant community, a place for learning and a safe space for youth to explore their potential. Celebrating 40 years of youth circus arts this year, it has made a lasting impact, fostering a sense of belonging and inspiring creativity in the youth of the Greater Cincinnati area.