Lynsey Wyatt wanted to do something helpful and creative during the pandemic, so she created the COVID-19 Mircrogrant for Early Career Circus Artists. As an early career circus artist herself specializing in aerial silks and partner acrobatics, she understood the need. As owner of Cirqulation Aerial Arts & Acrobatics in Roanoke, VA. Wyatt says she firmly believes that circus arts can be harnessed to empower communities and advance the causes of equity and mental health.

“I also felt a strong desire to stay connected to the global circus community at a time when our whole industry feels like it is teetering on the edge of an uncertain future. By conceiving and developing a short act, the project provides an outlet for circus artists to express themselves and to honor mental health month in our unique way, harnessing inherent symbols within our movement disciplines to communicate powerful aspects of human experience.”