ArtsWestchester seeks proposals from performing and performance artists and groups for the Serious Fun Arts Fest. The Festival is designed to attract thousands of new regional audiences from NYC, Fairfield County, New Jersey and The Hudson Valley. Performance activities will take place outdoors.

For complete guidelines and opportunity details, click HERE

To access the application portal, click HERE

This five-day Festival will feature a mile-long public art walk of more than 30 vibrant murals and art installations (some created live during the Festival), performances, arts parties, public artwork unveilings and art walks, pop-up galleries in restaurants and vacant spaces, and creative family art workshops.

Upbeat and appealing music, dance and theater performances, and street performers will be a central feature of the Festival, strategically chosen to tie into and enhance visitors’ enjoyment of the artworks. A thrilling headliner concert on Mamaroneck Avenue, between Main Street and Martine will add to the excitement.

Potential Festival performances will be upbeat and energized:

• Music, including funk, rock, soul, R&B, roots, global folk traditions, gospel, chamber or country
• Dance, including hip-hop, jazz, modern, ballet, tap, step, breakdancing, folk traditional or other contemporary styles
• Theater, including improvisation and sketch comedy teams, variety shows, immersive/participatory, puppetry, mask, mime or children’s theater
• Poetry and spoken word
• Street performers using any element of music, dance or theater performance, as described in those categories above and below
• Performance Art, either as part of an integrated visual arts installation; or, to amplify and celebrate one or more artworks in The Festival

In addition to fitting a standard of quality and excellence, the content and performers’ costume/attire, lighting or other elements should respond to, connect with and amplify the energetic, colorful and varied creative look and feel of The Festival’s artworks. Representative and actual images of works to be on exhibition will be shared as soon as available.
This request for proposals is a competitive process to identify outstanding performing and performance artists and groups who may be selected for inclusion in The Festival.

Selected performing and performance artists will be notified by June 1. They may be potentially matched with, or perform in proximity and relation to, visual artworks in order to amplify and enhance visitor engagement with the artworks.
Festival murals will either be completed prior to or during the festival.
Additional performing artist activities may include artist talks, workshops or other community engagement opportunities to be coordinated and scheduled as appropriate.

RFP DEADLINE: Proposals must be submitted online via the link provided by April 29, 2022.

ELIGIBILITY: Artists must be 18 or older to apply. Performers who reside, work or maintain a studio in New York State are strongly encouraged to apply. Artists outside of New York State will be considered.

TO SUBMIT: Access the online application click HERE

ArtsWestchester, working closely with public and private partners, including Metro North, the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, five major housing developers, the Westchester County Tourism Office and the White Plains Business Improvement District, will present a diverse set of high-quality performing artists and groups, to entertain and engage with audiences from the NYC-metro area, Connecticut, New Jersey, the Upper Hudson Valley and beyond who attend The Festival.