THE RINGLING GOES TO WASHINGTON SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL 2017

When the theme of Circus Arts was chosen for the 50th anniversary of the Folklife Festival, the Smithsonian enthusiastically reached out to partner with The Ringling—the leading authority on the preservation of materials and history of circus arts. For two weeks this summer on the National Mall in Washington DC, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival celebrated the diverse tradition of the American circus and the renewed interest in circus arts.

The 2017 festival pulled back the tent flap and provided opportunities for hundreds of thousands of visitors and global media to experience and explore the life and work of circus people in America today. In addition to experiencing the glitz, glamour, and spectacle of live performances and demonstrations, visitors engaged in one-on-one dialogues with artists and educators within the circus community.

The Ringling was honored to be among the esteemed partners for the festival that included The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota, American Youth Circus Organization, American Circus Educators Association, and the National Park Service. The festival played host to several professional circuses and an amazing array of performances by youth circuses including Sarasota’s own Sailor Circus Academy.

Preston Scott, Curator of the festival, remarked “we reached out to The Ringling because of its respected circus-related collection as well as the important work and knowledge of its dedicated staff in connection with circus history nationally.

Taken together, these reflected an important package of specialized scholarly resources that could help refine the focus of the program as well as help introduce and explain the life and work of the circus artists and communities.”

Deborah Walk, Director of Legacy and Circus, and Jennifer Lemmer Posey, Associate Curator of the Circus Museum, began working with festival directors in the spring of 2015. Both participated in numerous events and town hall meetings, and spoke on several panels during the course of the festival. Topics ranged from the history and origins of the circus to the circus of today and how it reflects contemporary culture.

“The festival on the National Mall, in the shadow of the Capitol and the Washington Monument and surrounded by the Smithsonian Museum’s many buildings, was a thrilling way to celebrate and honor the traditions and people of the circus,” said Deborah Walk. Steven High returned from Washington saying, “It was great to see the community of Sarasota, where circus tradition is such a big part of the culture, shine in the spotlight of the festival.”

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, established in 1967, honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them. Produced annually, it is an international exposition of living cultural heritage held on the National Mall of the United States.