Circus Organizations
American Youth Circus Organization [AYCO]
http://www.americanyouthcircus.org/
AYCO is the hub for all things youth circus. Their mission is to promote the participation of youth in circus arts and to support circus educators.
American Circus Educators [ACE]
https://www.americancircuseducators.org/
The ACE was formed in 2014 as a branch of AYCO and is dedicated to supporting circus educators and is the trusted authority when it comes to circus education and is the primary source for professional development, networking, and information about circus.
Circus Fans Association of America [CFA]
https://www.circusfansassociationofamerica.org/
CFA was established in 1926 to enjoy and preserve the circus as an institution. CFA has an annual national convention with a focus on circus-theme seminars and other circus-related events and activities. Their magazine is White Tops.
Circus Model Builders Association of America
https://www.circusmodelbuilders.club/
Circus Model Builders is an international group of circus enthusiasts that create, collect, and display models of the circus to preserve the rich history and support the continuance of the unique entertainment spectacle that is circus. Their magazine is the Little Circus Wagon.
Circus Now
Circus Now is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes circus as an art and a practice in North America that supports adult circus artists, enthusiasts, and thinkers in their efforts to create, practice, and evolve circus.
Circus Ring of Fame
The Circus Ring of Fame recognizes those persons who have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus over the span of a career. With over 140 inductees from around the world, the Ring of Fame began in 1988 as a way to honor world famous circus performers and the rich circus heritage of the Sarasota area.
Circus Saints & Sinners Club of America
https://circussaintsandsinners.org/
Founded in 1929, the Circus Saints & Sinners is a non-sectarian, non-political association of successful professionals dedicated to fellowship and community service through charitable giving.
Circus Talk
An independent circus resource center to unite the worldwide circus family under one virtual tent.
International Independent Showman’s Association [IISA]
http://gibtownshowmensclub.com/
Known to many as the “Gibtown Showmen’s Club,” the association is a nonprofit private organization made up of people in the outdoor amusement industry. The original club building opened in 1966 and has expanded to be the largest Showmen’s Association in the United States.
Outdoor Amusement Business Association [OABA]
Established in 1964, its mission is to promote the preservation and growth of the outdoor amusement industry through leadership, advocacy, and education.
Showfolks of Sarasota
Showfolks of Sarasota was conceived in 1964 as “An International Alliance of Circus Artists and Executives.” Since that time, Showfolks membership has grown to encompass individuals from all aspects of show business and the entertainment world, to include “friends of the circus.”
Showmen’s League of America
http://www.showmensleague.org/
Founded in 1913, by a group of outdoor showmen meeting at the Saratoga Hotel in Chicago. Buffalo Bill Cody, the Wild West performer, was elected the club’s first president. The Showmen’s League
Windjammers Unlimited: The Circus Music Historical Society
Since its founding in 1971, members have been proudly participating in what has evolved as their core mission: Preservation of, Education about, and Performance of the music played in the traditional American Circus and Wild West Shows. Their publication is Circus Fanfare.