'The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) is Australia's Centre of Excellence in contemporary circus. NICA is a national not-for-profit organisation. Funded primarily by the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts, NICA is auspiced by Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne. As the only training institution of its kind in Australia, NICA provides professional training through a three year Bachelor of Circus Arts, preparing students from across Australia and the world for exciting careers in all facets of the circus industry. Competition for one of 24 places in the first year of the degree program is fierce and auditions are conducted in each state at the end of the year.' Source: www.nica.com.au/ (Sighted 04/10/2011).
