Being a member of the Madison Circus Space means you always have a place to practice, store equipment, work on new skills, and talk about circus with others. Membership comes with a variety of benefits, including:
- 24/7 access to our 10,000-square-foot space, with its natural light, sprung hardwood maple flooring, and tall ceilings (ranging from 19-’40’; rig points are at 19′ and 24′)
- Some communal storage space, with the option to pay extra for a dedicated locker
- Free use of some communal supplies and equipment
- Free or discounted access to some MCS events and clubs
Members may practice in the MCS even while other groups are meeting, as long as they stay in parts of the space that are not already reserved.
Membership Cost
BASE RATES
- Monthly, Ground Only: $55/month individual or $85/month for family
- Monthly, Aerial: $65/month or $95/month for family
Base rates come with a 10% discount if you buy a year up front.
OTHER RATES
- Guest Pass: $10/day
- One Week Pass (guest instructors/artists only): $25
- Fob Loss Replacement Fee: $20
EXTRAS
- Locker: $5/month
- Storage for Extra or Oversized Apparatus:* $5/month
*Community-shared apparatus may be stored at no charge, on a case-by-case basis of approval. You may be personally liable for others using your equipment.
All membership rates include some “open” storage space. You may store up to three traditional-sized aerial apparatus AND one personal bundle of hula hoops AND a set of juggling equipment AND one oversized apparatus, for no extra charge. Members MUST label all of their personal equipment. All membership rates also include two free guest passes per month.
Memberships are billed automatically as a recurring payment. You may cancel or change your membership at any time. After signing up, you will be able to manage your subscriptions through your My Account page.
Scholarships are available for memberships; visit the scholarships page for more information.
Membership Terms
All MCS members must sign and agree to abide by a safety policy and membership agreement. Members must also be vetted by the MCS board of directors before they are granted access to the space.
The Process to Join
- Begin by contacting the MCS board representative associated with your discipline:
- Juggling – Nick Aikens
- Acro – Deanna Schneider
- Hooping/Flow Arts – Danielle Lee
- German Wheel/Other – Carly Schuna
- Aerial – Karen Nellessen. Review the criteria for becoming an MCS aerial member at the Aerial Membership Information page. For more MCS aerial policy information, please visit out Policy and Guidelines page.
- Your board representative will vet your membership request and make a recommendation to the MCS board. The vetting process differs by discipline due to the level of risk associated with each discipline.
- If the MCS board approves your membership request, you will then pay for your membership dues and one-time registration fee and attend an orientation to receive your key fob. You are now officially an MCS member!
MCS Minor Memberships
Being a “minor member” simply indicates you are under the age of 18. A minor member of the MCS is granted most of the same benefits as a regular member, with a few important differences:
- You must always be at the MCS with an adult who has been authorized to supervise you.
- You will not be issued a key fob for the space. Instead, the adults who have been authorized to supervise you will use their keys to let you in and out.
Minor Membership Terms
Adults who are authorized to supervise minor members could include fellow adult MCS members, instructors, or adults who have been vetted by MCS to safely spot minors in their given disciplines. An adult supervisor for a minor member who is practicing aerial arts must also be an approved aerial member of the MCS.
When you begin your membership, you should provide a list of 1-3 authorized adults who can supervise you during MCS visits, as well as information on the adults’ qualifications to spot you.
The MCS is most concerned with safe spotting in disciplines that require a high level of training, such as German wheel and aerial arts. Disciplines such as juggling, hoop/flow arts, and unicycling require only adult supervision rather than demonstration of skilled spotting.
All minor MCS members and their adult supervisors must sign a safety policy and membership agreement. The MCS board must also vet minor members as well as their authorized adult supervisors before they are granted access to the space.
If you are interested in becoming a minor member of the MCS, please contact your board representative from the list above to start the process.