OUR COMMUNITY

About NECCA

NECCA is an internationally recognized training school in the US, known for creating outstanding creative and physical programming. We offer a world class professional program for aspiring performers, along with workshops and recreational classes for youth and adult students of all ages, levels, and abilities.

Our founders, coaches, board, staff, students, and community all shape NECCA in as many different ways as there are diverse individuals who walk through our doors. We are committed to providing accessible circus arts instruction to everyone – from the absolute beginner to the industry professional. We pride ourselves on providing this instruction in a welcoming and non-competitive atmosphere.

We love circus and we welcome you to find out what NECCA can offer you!

What We Do

Adult Recreational Classes

Workshops

Youth Recreational Classes

Community Outreach

Youth Camps

Professional Training Programs

Events & Performances

Employment

In Recognition

Sharing Gratitude

We’d like to take a moment to share our gratitude both to the generous supporters who made this possible and to the Abenaki Tribe, whose traditional land we stand on and who have stewarded this land throughout the generations.

OUR STORY

OUR HISTORY

Take a walk down memory lane with us.

2007

Founding of NECCA

NECCA is founded by Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion and receives its 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit circus arts education facility. For several years previous to this, circus arts instruction was provided under the name of Nimble Arts. Elsie and Serenity felt it was vital for the students and the community for NECCA to take this next step and grow into a nonprofit. Classes were taught with a staff of approximately 10 coaches at the Cotton Mill and the New England Youth Theater in Brattleboro, VT. The original Professional Track or “ProTrack” program began in 2007 as well, beginning NECCA’s reputation of successfully preparing professional circus artists for careers in circus.

2010

NECCA Expands

NECCA expands into 3 studios at the Cotton Mill and establishes an additional professional program, the Intensive Program, designed to meet the growing needs of the industry. This year also brought the first annual Flying Nut holiday show as well as the Circus In The Neighborhood outreach program established to bring circus to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to NECCA programming. This was also the first year of the Circus Spectacular: an annual fundraising event at the Latchis Theater aimed at raising funds specifically for outreach and scholarships.

2013

Building Committee Established

NECCA received its 501(c)(3) not for profit status in December 2007 and can accept tax deductible donations. The incorporation of NECCA and the filing of not for profit papers was the culmination of much work from a supportive community, school members and a Board of Directors who believed that it was an important next step in the building of an internationally recognized yet locally vital circus center.

2014

Expanding Again

NECCA grows into 4 studios at the Cotton Mill as well as the Winston-Prouty gymnasium and has a staff of around 35. Land was purchased at Town Crier Dr, which would be the future home of NECCA’s custom trapezium. The outdoor Flying Trapeze rig moved to this site to take advantage of the amazing space and location.

2016

Ground Breaking at Town Crier Drive

NECCA officially breaks ground for construction at the 10 Town Crier Drive location.

2017

NECCA Moves

In June, NECCA officially moved to its new and permanent home in a custom built Trapezium. This moved allowed NECCA to expand its ProTrack program to a full-time 3-year professional training program to better prepare students for the careers ahead. By this time, NECCA’s staff grew to 50 employees.

2019

Three Years of ProTrack

First graduates and tour of the 3-year ProTrack program.

2020

COVID-19 Pandemic

Like so many others, NECCA closed its doors from March through September 2020, opening to smaller class sizes, pivoting to online training and in-person masked training.

2021

A New Executive Director

Hired New Executive Director and increased the Board of Directors to 9 members. In addition to the Trapezium, moved from Winston Prouty to two studios at the Cotton Mill. Added 5 full time positions for facility, marketing and programs.

2022

Five Years at the Trapezium

Celebrated five year anniversary of the Trapezium with a new stage lighting installation and a Capital Campaign donor event and plaque and fifteen years of NECCA on December 14 with a special NECCA Giving Day. We launched a three year strategic plan and added a full time position and part time Athletic Trainer. Our largest class of nine ProTrack graduates toured for the first time since 2019.

2023

Going Mask Optional

In March, we went mask optional for the first time since 2020 and resumed youth outreach and group education. We are now a recognized member of the American Circus Educators Safety Network and have a Staff Development Track. All shows were in person and the ProTrack Circus Springboard tour expanded to five towns. Staff increased to over 60 with a Director of Strategic Development.

AND ON!

NECCA continues to bring circus to everyone!

OUR STORY

OUR HISTORY

Take a walk down memory lane with us.

2007

FOUNDING OF NECCA

NECCA is founded by Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion and receives its 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit circus arts education facility. For several years previous to this, circus arts instruction was provided under the name of Nimble Arts. Elsie and Serenity felt it was vital for the students and the community for NECCA to take this next step and grow into a nonprofit. Classes were taught with a staff of approximately 10 coaches at the Cotton Mill and the New England Youth Theater in Brattleboro, VT. The original Professional Track or “ProTrack” program began in 2007 as well, beginning NECCA’s reputation of successfully preparing professional circus artists for careers in circus.

2010

NECCA EXPANDS

NECCA expands into 3 studios at the Cotton Mill and establishes an additional professional program, the Intensive Program, designed to meet the growing needs of the industry. This year also brought the first annual Flying Nut holiday show as well as the Circus In The Neighborhood outreach program established to bring circus to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to NECCA programming. This was also the first year of the Circus Spectacular: an annual fundraising event at the Latchis Theater aimed at raising funds specifically for outreach and scholarships.

2013

BUILDING COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

NECCA received its 501(c)(3) not for profit status in December 2007 and can accept tax deductible donations. The incorporation of NECCA and the filing of not for profit papers was the culmination of much work from a supportive community, school members and a Board of Directors who believed that it was an important next step in the building of an internationally recognized yet locally vital circus center.

2014

EXPANDING AGAIN

NECCA grows into 4 studios at the Cotton Mill as well as the Winston-Prouty gymnasium and has a staff of around 35. Land was purchased at Town Crier Dr, which would be the future home of NECCA’s custom trapezium. The outdoor Flying Trapeze rig moved to this site to take advantage of the amazing space and location.

2016

GROUND BREAKING AT TOWN CRIER DRIVE

NECCA officially breaks ground for construction at the 10 Town Crier Drive location.

2017

NECCA MOVES

In June, NECCA officially moved to its new and permanent home in a custom built Trapezium. This moved allowed NECCA to expand its ProTrack program to a full-time 3-year professional training program to better prepare students for the careers ahead. By this time, NECCA’s staff grew to 50 employees.

2019

THREE YEARS OF PROTRACK

In June, NECCA officially moved to its new and permanent home in a custom built Trapezium. This moved allowed NECCA to expand its ProTrack program to a full-time 3-year professional training program to better prepare students for the careers ahead. By this time, NECCA’s staff grew to 50 employees.

2020

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Like so many others, NECCA closed its doors from March through September 2020, opening to smaller class sizes, pivoting to online training and in-person masked training.

2021

A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hired New Executive Director and increased the Board of Directors to 9 members. In addition to the Trapezium, moved from Winston Prouty to two studios at the Cotton Mill. Added 5 full time positions for facility, marketing and programs.

2022

FIVE YEARS AT THE TRAPEZIUM

Celebrated five year anniversary of the Trapezium with a new stage lighting installation and a Capital Campaign donor event and plaque and fifteen years of NECCA on December 14 with a special NECCA Giving Day. We launched a three year strategic plan and added a full time position and part time Athletic Trainer. Our largest class of nine ProTrack graduates toured for the first time since 2019.

2023

THREE YEARS OF PROTRACK

In March, we went mask optional for the first time since 2020 and resumed youth outreach and group education. We are now a recognized member of the American Circus Educators Safety Network and have a Staff Development Track. All shows were in person and the ProTrack Circus Springboard tour expanded to five towns. Staff increased to over 60 with a Director of Strategic Development.

AND ON!

NECCA continues to bring circus to everyone!

American Circus Educators (ACE) Association

We Are a Member of the Circus Arts Safety Network

The American Circus Educators (ACE) association established the Circus Arts Safety Network via specific guidelines for best practices in circus arts risk management. NECCA has been carefully evaluated and granted membership to the Safety Network. We are proud to be nationally recognized for our excellent standards by the ACE Circus Arts Safety Network.

Learn More Here

NECCA ONLINE!

Follow Us on Instagram

@NECCACircus

SUPPORTING OUR MISSION

DONATE TO NECCA

NECCA is a nonprofit that’s committed to the people it serves and the community within which it thrives. We rely on our many generous donors to continue to be a place that’s accessible to everyone, where creativity and artistry soar, and where the seemingly impossible becomes possible—every single day. Please consider joining others in supporting our work.

Donate Today

SUPPORTING OUR MISSION

DONATE TO NECCA

NECCA is a nonprofit that’s committed to the people it serves and the community within which it thrives. We rely on our many generous donors to continue to be a place that’s accessible to everyone, where creativity and artistry soar, and where the seemingly impossible becomes possible—every single day. Please consider joining others in supporting our work.

Donate Today

Many Thanks To

Our Sponsors

Please join us in thanking these companies for their support of NECCA.

Our Funders
Year Round Sponsors
Copyright © 2025 New England Center for Circus Arts
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