The Greater Columbus Arts Council and Partners Launch Community & Street Performer Program

Columbus, Ohio – The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Art Council), in partnership with other community organizations, is pleased to announce the launch of the new Community & Street Performer Program.  The program pays performers to appear on the streets during events and in various venues throughout Central Ohio. Tapping into the amazing talent of our city’s artists, this program shines a spotlight on the creative energy of Columbus.

“This is an exciting effort to bring art directly to our people,” said Mayor Michael Coleman. “I applaud the Greater Columbus Arts Council for leading this program to create new energy Downtown while enriching the lives of our residents.”

The Community & Street Performer Program’s current partners include Port Columbus International Airport, Gay Street Moonlight Market the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Short North Alliance/Gallery Hop and Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (SID)/Pearl Market.

The program budget is $20,000 in 2014. A portion of the budget is provided by the partners, including $2,500 from Capital Crossroads SID/Pearl Market.

“Downtown has great energy in large part because of the arts,” said Cleve Ricksecker, executive director of the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District.   “The SID is excited to partner with the Arts Council on this pilot program to bring performing artists to the Pearl Market.   Downtown employees love this kind of experience.”

Performers will be chosen by the partners based on the information entered by artists into the database and the appropriateness of the artist for the event(s). Each partner has their own guidelines and requirements.

The partners will book and manage the relationship and appearance with the performer and the Arts Council will process payments to the artist.  Payment for most performances is set at $50 per hour, per performer, but fees may vary slightly by partner.

Street performers may apply in more than 30 different genres including all styles of music to spoken word, face painting, miming, stilt walking and more.

For Community & Street Performer application and guidelines for each partner, go to www.gcac.org/performers.   For more information contact Jami Goldstein, jgoldstein@gcac.org.

About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, we fund exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. The Arts Council thanks the City of Columbus, FranklinCounty and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support.