CircuSense Inc dba Omnium: A Bold New Circus

Common shared experiences through the lens provided by arts and culture provides a path to achieving acceptance and understanding. Omnium Circus, the only performing art circus organization in the world that focuses on full inclusion for both performer and participant, provides that lens.

Omnium is a nonprofit performing arts organization whose mission is to enrich empathy among all people through the shared positive experience provided by a fully inclusive circus. We are currently a virtual production and moving (post pandemic) to a live production. The elevate prize will help move us to the next, broader level of outreach and significantly contribute to our ability to unite people in a live venue.  People in the same place sharing a common joyful experience will open doors of cross-cultural empathy and understanding. A live production will include employment opportunities for all abled and diverse populations, support BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color), woman-owned and businesses who also employ people with all abilities. 

There could not be a more critical time for Omnium considering the current social justice movement and the recent 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

With over 25 years of circus administration experience, I have always been motivated by the potential impact that a circus can have in reaching the heart of all people.  I experienced the importance of inclusion through an incident that had a deep impact on me. A group of angry Deaf teens who were frustrated in their ability to enjoy a show suddenly turned to delight because a performer had the ability to sign, to speak their language. At once, I knew that this was the path for me and I focused my efforts on adapting circus performances for ALL while at the Big Apple Circus. As a result of the pandemic and the closure of the now private Big Apple Circus, I was able to bring my vision to life with nonprofit Omnium. 

Omnium: A Bold New Circus is a visionary nonprofit Circus bringing together a diverse cast of multitalented, multi-racial, and multi-abled international circus stars who provide inspiration through their extraordinary feats of human accomplishment.  Our platform creates shared positive experiences and authentic representation. Omnium: A Bold New Circus is the only performing art organization in the world that focuses on full inclusion for both performer and participant.

While our nation’s collective consciousness has been raised due to the pandemic and social justice movements, wide swaths of communities are still overlooked or ostracized. 1 in 4 people in the US have some type of disability, with 62% of adults needing access to fulfilling work. Omnium employs inclusive of all demographics. We partner with businesses who share our vision. 

We believe that joy can unite us - the joy that comes from the experiencing a fully diverse world-class circus. As a circus for all, Omnium has something for everyone.

In the five months since it was formed, Omnium’s virtual showcase has reached over 25,000 people nationwide. We are currently planning a live production. Every single person who walks through our tent – virtual or live - has an opportunity to join in shared experiences, to identify with one of our diverse world-class performers, and can enjoy the show in a manner that works best for their needs through our built-in complete access and accommodation. 

Despite its youth, Omnium has successfully entered into significant collaborative partnerships with others who share our vision. We have support from the NYC agencies including the Mayor’s Offices for Persons With Disabilities and Parks Department. 

The Omnium Circus is a space where people can experience wonder, laughter, and joy together through extraordinary feats of human accomplishment. Omnium has a completely diverse cast of extraordinary talent – inclusive of all races, sexual genders, mobility, disability, language (including ASL), and age. Our unique virtual platform, with four different simultaneous avenues of accommodation has allowed us unprecedented access to both underserved and often-served communities. 

Omnium celebrates individuality and uniqueness, with laughter and happiness uniting all.  Omnium welcomes all audiences both on-line and live; with our performances using American Sign Language, Audio Description, Closed Captioning, and Plain Language to ensure ease of access and full inclusion. Our administrative team and board are equally diversified, and all are trained in best practices and sensitivity. Omnium provides both a stellar time-honored tradition and an inspirational new experience. 

The history of circus parallels the history of our culture with the same systemic challenges. Omnium is reshaping the circus landscape by providing equitable opportunities for performers, staff and most importantly- our audiences! Through this microcosm of society, the essential element of joy can ignite the change we must see in our culture.

Omnium believes that the conscious inclusion of a full spectrum of people representative of our global culture as artists, staff and audiences provides a blueprint that leads to a truly inclusive society.  It is equally important for the audience to identify with the performers, to believe in their own potential and see that potential in others. Our Circus is a welcome place for all people and takes great pride in meeting people where they live by providing supports as part of the usual course, and not as a “special” accommodation. 

Omnium opened virtually during the pandemic when there was a great need for immediately accessible, inclusive engaging content. Our impact is quickly spreading. Omnium has provided content to pediatric hospitals, general and special education schools, and accessible quality programming for all ages regardless of need in 15 states and 5 countries.

We intend to continue this rapid growth as we plan for our live production. Omnium reaches both often-served and underserved communities so together they can enjoy our carefully crafted productions, and experience brilliant circus artistry presented with honor, respect and compassion.