Performer Application

The First Wednesday Art Walk is a monthly event produced by Downtown Vision (DVI), the Business Improvement District, to bring people to the cultural and historical center of the city and showcase Jacksonville’s deep and energetic pool of creative talent. Open to visual and performing artists, Art Walk is on the first Wednesday of every month from 5 – 9 p.m., rain or shine. More than 35 Art Walk venues stretch across Downtown Jacksonville’s core and include Hemming Park, galleries, museums, cultural and educational venues, restaurants and bars, Downtown businesses and more. The First Wednesday Art Walk is a great way to meet fellow artists, buy and appreciate their work, and be part of the rapidly growing art scene in Jacksonville. We estimate that, on average, 5,000 art enthusiasts attend each month to see more than 100 artists exhibiting at Art Walk. Whether you're an emerging or established artist or performer, Art Walk is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talents in front of thousands of patrons.

Want to put on a performance at the next First Wednesday Art Walk? Each month, DVI books up to three bands/musicians to play in Hemming Park/Laura Street. We also consider solo and group performers (dance, spoken word, etc.) based on each month's theme and available slots. If you'd like to be considered, please review the rules and regulations, and then contact Haley Tinkle, Events Manager at Haley@dtjax.org. Three Things to Remember When You Apply to Perform at Art Walk: 1. Carefully review the Rules & Regulations for guidelines on the yearly application process, monthly registration process and FAQs. We recommend you print and keep these for your records. 2. Carefully review the Liability Waiver. Each member of your group will need to sign a hard copy of the form and email/mail/fax it back the Wednesday prior to Art Walk. 3. Bands and musicians must provide a link to music samples for consideration.

PERFORMING AT ART WALK Musicians/performers seeking to perform at Art Walk are required to contact Haley Tinkle with samples: haley@dtjax.org. Approved musicians and performers are added to a database and will be contacted to perform based on availability and fit. Only a small number of acts are booked each month. Performers are responsible for applying once per calendar year, and a valid email address is required. In addition to producing the Art Walk, DVI streamlines process for performers, pays the associated event fees and collectively submits the paperwork to the city for artists, musicians and performers exhibiting at Art Walk. Applicants under 18 must have a parent or guardian apply for them. A parent or guardian must be present for the duration of the performance. Art Walk is a family-friendly event. Music/performances containing explicit language, violence, or anything else questionable for small children belongs inside a venue. SIDE WALK PERFORMERS: Performers performing on sidewalks outside of venues must also register with DVI and must have the approval of the venue. Musicians playing inside venues do not need to register with DVI. FAQs: Promotion: Performers booked to perform at Art Walk will be listed on the Art Walk event flyer (3,000 distributed) and website, if booked by the print deadline. Performers may set up a tip jar, promotional signage and a table with promotional materials if desired. Space: Space with access to electricity will be reserved for musicians/performance upon booking. Performers must bring all intsruments needed for the performance. DVI will supply lighting/AV for the event. Setup & breakdown: Performers may begin set up no earlier than 3:00 p.m., and should be completed by the beginning of the event at 5:00 p.m. Vehicles may be pulled into the park during this time to unload. Performers must begin breakdown no later than 9 p.m. Vehicles may not be driven into the Park for breakdown prior to 9 p.m. Performers who do not abide by these times will not be booked at future Art Walks. If you are set up in: •Hemming Park: You must vacate by 10 p.m. •The street or sidewalks: You must vacate or move your stuff to the sidewalk by 9:30 p.m. Weather recommendations: Art Walk is a RAIN OR SHINE event. In the case of inclement weather, it is up to each performer’s discretion whether to stay or not. Performers seeking backup indoor accommodations must make arrangements independently. Clean up: Performers are responsible for clean up of their space at the end of the night, including all litter and set up materials. Parking: •Designated parking is not provided. Meters are free after 6 p.m. A central location to park is at the Duval Street parking garage on the corner of Main and Duval streets near the Main Library. You can also visit Downtown Vision’s interactive parking map at dtjax.org. •Parking is not permitted along the sidewalks of Hemming Park or in a bagged meter space. •If you are a performer in Hemming Park, you are not permitted to park on Hogan Street behind the Hemming Park main stage. Fire: Lit candles, incense and fire props are not permitted at Art Walk.