The Circus Historical Society invites proposals from scholars of all levels for presentations on any subject related to circus history for Convention 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, August 4-7. Papers/presentations by a single speaker should be limited to 25 minutes including questions. Panel/group presentations should be limited to 45 minutes including questions. All presentations must be delivered in person (no Zoom).

Submission Details

All proposals must be submitted through the Google Form linked here: https://circushistory.org/next-convention/. Please have your presentation title, short description (150 words or less), and brief bio (150 words or less) ready to submit on the form.

Proposals must be received by March 31, 2024. Proposals submitted after that day and/or submitted via email will not be accepted. The Convention committee will review proposals and notify presenters in April, 2024. Accepted presenters must register for Convention. Discounted registration fees will be available for Circus Historical Society members and full-time academics and students.

Potential presentation subjects include, but are not limited to: 

• Atlanta or Georgia-based circuses, performers, or historic events
• Circus history in the South (includes Global South)
• History of Mexican circus or performers in the United States
• Careers or biographies of circus persons
• Circus business, logistics, and language
• Circus acts
• Circus preservation, museum collections, or public history
• Popular culture representations of circus in music, literature, television, etc.
• Visual or audio analyses of posters, music, costumes, etc.
• General discussion of circus history

About Convention 

The Circus Historical Society holds an annual Convention where presentations on circus history highlight current research and members have the opportunity for face to face discussions. The 2024 Convention will be held in Atlanta Georgia at the Marriott Northeast/Emory University Area hotel from Sunday, August 4 – Wednesday, August 7. The 2024 convention will include a special meeting for “First of Mays,” a reception, a banquet, multiple presentation sessions, an extensive in-person and online auction, and a performance by and a special presentation session at the spectacular Circus Vazquez! 

Presenters will be given an opportunity to sell and sign their books during the convention at no charge and to meet with our editors about publishing an article about their topic in Bandwagon: The Journal of the Circus Historical Society. 

About Circus Historical Society 

The Circus Historical Society is a tax exempt not for profit educational organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of circus. The Society’s membership includes a diverse selection of scholars, researchers, educators, archivists, curators, librarians, circus professionals and enthusiasts united with the common goal of documenting circus history and disseminating circus information.  Bandwagon, the Society’s journal, is distributed to all members as well as to research institutions worldwide. Online resources include a fact filled website, periodic newsletters and archival documents. Learn more at https://circushistory.org/

Questions 

Please email president@circushistory.org with questions not answered on the Convention webpage linked above.