Why It’s Time for Aerial Arts to Claim Its Spot in the Athletic World
I often joke that I’m a dinosaur in this industry. But behind the humor lies a deeper truth: over a decade in aerial arts has given me the privilege to be part of an incredible community, to meet extraordinary people I never would have crossed paths with otherwise, and to witness the stunning growth of our art and sport in so many ways.
Yet one thing remains painfully clear that our sport continues to lack the media attention, coverage, and support it truly deserves. And yes, we are a sport.
We defy gravity. We push the limits of flexibility, mobility, strength, and creativity. But beyond that, we train with discipline, recover with care, perform with passion, and compete with relentless determination.
While aerial arts have enjoyed some moments in the spotlight, through reality TV, live performances, and movies. Yet we still trail far behind our athletic peers. Sports like gymnastics, cheerleading, and ice skating have live event coverage, paid sponsorships, and even Olympic status. We deserve that recognition too.
That’s why I’m deeply honored to support and be part of Elemental Athletes, a movement led by aerial instructors, performers, competitors, students, and advocates who refuse to accept the narrative that aerial arts are “too niche.” For years, we’ve heard that networks wouldn’t greenlight aerial docuseries or invest in digital content because the audience “isn’t big enough.” Elemental Athletes exists to prove them wrong.
By uniting the aerial community, we demonstrate our strength in numbers, the demand for our sport, and the undeniable power we hold. The more we grow, the harder it becomes for the world to ignore us. Greater visibility means more opportunities, more representation, and ultimately more paid work for aerialists worldwide.
It’s time for aerialists to claim the recognition we deserve, not just as artists but as athletes, alongside gymnastics, cheerleading, ice skating, and other artistic athletic disciplines. With aerial arts gaining increasing exposure in mainstream media, now is the perfect moment to showcase our sport in its full, breathtaking scope for the first time ever.
The future is bright. And I’m proud to be part of this movement that’s lifting aerial arts to new heights, literally and figuratively.
If you believe in lifting aerial arts up and giving our athletes the spotlight they’ve earned, follow @elementalathletes and visit https://www.elementalathletes.com to sign the petition. Let’s make our voices heard and bring aerial arts to the forefront where they belong
