This research investigates whether, and how, students in a circus bachelor programme learned creativity during their studies, and how they use creativity in their profession. Twelve participants were interviewed, representing six different cohorts from the University of Dance and Circus (DOCH) in Stockholm, Sweden between 2008-2018 (now Stockholm University of the Arts). Constructivist grounded theory methodology (CGT) guided the analytical process of uncovering themes described by participants. Narrative vignettes were used to represent the experiences recounted by multiple participants influencing the apprenticeship of creativity and creative methods. Curriculum theory was used as a lens to understand the relationships between programmed content and the lived experiences which created the learning environment wherein these participants developed the knowledge to enter the circus field. With consideration of the individualized pressures of the realities of contemporary circus creation and performance, creativity is here theorized within a Western cultural perspective, where creative contributions are often seen through the lens of social innovation. Three themes emerged from the analysis. In “learning creativity,” participants describe learning an iterative method of the creative process with regard to the performance of their circus discipline. “Creative identity” collects definitions and beliefs about creativity. The “creative practices” theme includes participant descriptions of using the creative process in their profession to navigate challenges beyond disciplinary work, and when approaching problem identification and problem solving during the COVID pandemic. Together, these themes demonstrate that apprenticeship of domain-specific creative practices provides a methodological foundation for domain general creative approaches. I name this method of using domain-specific approaches to domain-general professional challenges in circus “applied circus creativity.” These findings have implications for circus education, and other arts programs, which aim to preparing professional artists