Artists in all disciplines sought for 2015 North Charleston Arts Festival

Application deadline is one month earlier this year.

The City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department seeks applications from artists in music, theatre, dance, visual art, crafts, photography, media arts and literature for participation in the 2015 North Charleston Arts Festival, to be held May 1-9. Past participants should note that the Dec. 5 deadline is one month earlier than previous years.

North Charleston Arts Festival“The number of applications we receive each year continues to increase, as does the quality and complexity of the proposals,” says Marty Besancon, Cultural Arts Director for the City of North Charleston. “The adjusted application schedule will give our office more time to process and review the increasing number of applications and also allows us to notify applicants of our selections sooner (mid-January of 2015, rather than early February), which will give artists more time to plan and produce their work for the festival in May.”

National, regional and local artists, ethnic and cultural groups, community-based groups, and individuals are eligible to apply. Artists have the option to submit a proposal for one of the festival’s stand-alone Individual Events, which take place at various locations throughout the festival week, and/or apply for inclusion in the Main Event, held May 2 and 3 at the Charleston Area Convention Center Complex. Visual artists should note that this application is for events and presentations such as installations, solo or group exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and lectures, and not for participation in the Festival’s Judged Art Competitions. The 2015 Artist Application will be available for download from NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply beginning Oct. 1. There is no fee to apply, and Cultural Arts staff is available to assist artists with their proposals. The deadline for submission of applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014.

The North Charleston Arts Festival is one of the most comprehensive arts festivals in the state, drawing more than 30,000 residents and visitors annually to participate in a fabulous array of performances, exhibitions and activities in all arts disciplines. The Main Event Weekend at the North Charleston Performing Arts and Charleston Area Convention Center on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, offers free admission and parking to over 40 performances on four themed stage stages; General Audience, Cultural Heritage, Bands and Youth Entertainment. Other Main Event activities include judged art and photography shows, the S.C. Palmetto Hands Juried Fine Craft Exhibit, a gem & mineral show, an antique show, children’s activities, art and craft booths, and a food courtyard. The Arts Festival continues with 65+ events and exhibitions throughout the week at various locations. An array of free and ticketed offerings include street dances, concerts, theatre presentations, film screenings, an art walk, children’s programs, workshops and demonstrations, a National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, and much more. The festival concludes with the Grand Finale at North Charleston Riverfront Park featuring performances, children’s activities and fireworks over the Cooper River.

In addition to the Artist Application, local youth performing artists may also consider applying for the Opening Processional, which has kicked off the Arts Festival’s Main Event festivities for over 10 years. The Processional is typically led by African drummers and dancers and features groups dressed in brightly colored outfits and costumes, volunteers carrying giant puppets, banners and other crafted props, jugglers, dance troupes, and local school groups. Participants parade around the Convention Center Complex into the North Charleston Performing Arts Center Auditorium where the celebration continues with a Community Groups Performance Spotlight, featuring performances by pre-selected groups. The Opening Processional application will be available for download from NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply beginning Oct. 1, with submissions due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014.

For more information about the North Charleston Arts Festival and other participation opportunities visit NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com, or contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department office at (843) 740-5854 or culturalarts@northcharleston.org.

Via: North Charleston Cultural Arts Department