Modes of recognition of circus artists withstanding the test of time: from the state of the field to professional paths
Since the end of the 1970s, the French State has shown increased interest in the circus, going gradually from protecting a cultural heritage to supporting contemporary forms. This interest has continued with the creation of the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts du Cirque located in Châlons-en-Champagne, which is dedicated to the recognition and professionalization of circus art. Since then, professional circus schools, including the most prestigious, have become centers of artist recognition. The analysis of three generations of artists established in the Midi-Pyrénées region testifies to this transformation and sheds light on the way in which the professional circus school, as it has been structured, mobilizes different recognition circles. These changes involve relations with the trade and specific professional paths, which are objectifiable in the way circus artists evolve or leave the field.