Introduction

The last 5 British Juggling Conventions have made a financial surplus. This is usually held in trust for a few years to help out any future BJCs should they make a loss, then set aside to be spent in the local area to promote juggling. Since this money was received from the attendees of these conventions we would appreciate your opinions on our plans for its use.

The organisers of BJC1999 (Durham) and BJC2K (York) feel that there is now sufficient knowledge, which we are willing and able to share, to ensure future conventions do not lose money. That being said, it is impossible to plan to exactly break even (if one less person than you plan for turns up, you are in trouble). As a result there are now several thousand pounds sitting in bank accounts around the country, which have been designated for use promoting juggling.

We propose to spend this money to give an annual grant to a good cause (or causes) in UK juggling. This paper sets out the option that we are currently proposing, with negotiations in progress with other past BJCs to see if they'd like to join us.

The Plan

To set up a fund which would provide a grant, probably of around £500 to an individual or group in the UK to promote juggling.

Discussions are ongoing with The Circus Space to see if they'd be willing to administer this for us, providing the advertising, selection process and distribution. They already manage several similar schemes.

We feel that this funding should go to an up and coming performer or group of performers. This could help them with circus school fees, or, if they are not following that route, provide practice space and help with director or choreographer fees, or other production costs.

In return they would be expected to perform for free in the BJC show that year, providing a direct link between those who provided the cash and those who benefited from it.

Future BJCs would not be obliged to maintain the fund, but would be encouraged to do so if they have received performers through it. If the fund ever runs out of cash the award will be discontinued and we'll all look back on a job well done.

The Questions

What we want from you is your comments on this idea. Feel free to comment on any aspect, but we especially want to know:

• How should the fund be administered? Bear in mind the long-term effects of this and the fact that none of the people proposing this want to take it on for the rest of their lives. It will need accountancy expertise and long term commitment
• Who should judge the applicants?
• Who should be eligible to apply for the award? All circus artists? Just jugglers? What about associated skills like contact, diabolo and devilstick? Unicyclists? Aerialists? Acrobats?
• Should it be available to established acts, or should it just be upcoming new talent?
• Should it be available to groups who don't focus on performance, i.e. community groups or workshops?
• Should there still be some cash held to help out future conventions?

Getting in touch

Please make sure every juggler you know hears about this. Print it and take it to workshops, pass it to people who aren't on the groups we've advertised this in, tell your friends about it, post it to them. We are aware that some of the most vociferous members of the juggling community are not online and are relying on everyone to help disseminate this document.

When you respond please include details of your past involvement in BJCs. This money has come from the pockets of people who have paid to attend the BJC in the past, so if you're one of them we'll pay more attention to you.
To respond:

On the web: If you're reading this document at www.jugglingdb.com then please use the 'Add comment' feature below.

Email: bjc_surplus@yahoo.co.uk

Write to:

BJC Surplus Consultation,
c/o Mike Armstrong,
Flat 5, 2 Graingerville South,
Westgate Road,
Fenham,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE4 6UH.

The Disclaimer

Your opinions are important to us, but we probably won't be able to accommodate everyone's suggestions. As we are the people who put a lot of effort into voluntarily organising the events that made this money, we will have the final say on how it is spent.

Mike Armstrong, Mini Mansell, Lorri Reese, Rob Stone, Nicole Taylor
5th August 2002