Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde

Founded in 1992, Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde (PPCM) – Centre des Arts du Cirque et des Cultures Emergentes – is a non-profit organisation that develops and promotes circus and emergent cultures (hip-hop, parkour…) in the field of youth and social circus, street performances, partnerships with professional artists, vocational training for artists and trainers and international exchanges.

Located in Bagneux (a close suburb in the South of Paris), in the heart of a disadvantaged area, PPCM is recognized as the leading organisation for social circus in France by the European Commission and the French Ministries of Culture and Disadvantaged areas.

What makes the organisation unique?

Le plus petit cirque du monde (PPCM) is a very particular organisation in the French cultural landscape. It’s a place for artistic research and experimentation. It aims at promoting talent and encourages the emergence of innovative artistic proposals. Its artistic program combines circus arts, hip-hop dance and emerging urban practices alongside more conventional arts, such as music and theatre. Since the beginning of the association in 1992 the PPCM’s volunteers dreamed of building a permanent circus. This dream became reality in 2014 and the construction started on the grounds of the former gymnasium Marcel Cachin.

The current building was created by Patrick Bouchain, Loic Julienne and Denis Favret, the French architects’ pioneers in the transformation of cultural places. In June 2015, the 1900 sq. building dedicated to circus arts and new acrobatic practices was inaugurated. In its new premises, PPCM supports contemporary productions and professionals in the field of performing arts. Its activities include artistic residencies, production of Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde: presentation of the host both local and international artistic projects and hosting shows.

PPCM is also very involved in educational issues and social circus. Traditionally, the organisation aims to promote circus among children and youngsters as a mean for social transformation. More than 40 classes from partnering schools integrated circus into their educational activities last year thanks to PPCM. PPCM also encourages the development of young people and the social circus sector through concrete actions such as youth exchanges, training for trainers’ programs and research projects.