Culture Days

Open Call for Artists

• Program Purpose

  The City of Abbotsford’s Culture Days is an annual series of community programming hosted across the City between September and October. Community participants gain exposure to arts, culture, and 
  heritage in Abbotsford through free, interactive, family friendly activities and events. 

  Culture Days creates space for artists, performers, and organizations to connect to community through arts and culture programming. For the open call, we are looking for musical performances and artist facilitators to enhance indoor and outdoor public spaces. Performance opportunities are best suited for solo artists or duos, while artist facilitation opportunities are best suited for 1-2 hour workshops suitable to all ages and experiences.

• Schedule & Duration

  Musical performances and artist workshop opportunities are available between the program dates of September 19 - October 12.

  Applicants will be requested to share their preferred performance dates and times. Schedules will be finalized between successful applicants and the City.
  Performances should follow one of the below formats:
  One set: 1 - 2 hours maximum
  OR Two sets: 30 minutes - 1 Hour each, plus intermission

  Artist workshops should follow one of the below formats:
  Scheduled Workshop: 60-90 minutes maximum
  OR Casual Drop-In: 2 hour session, in which public can participate on a drop-in basis

• Locations

  The following venues have been identified for programming. Applicants are asked to specify preference for indoor or outdoor venues. Please note that final location selection is based on availability, and will be confirmed between successful applicants and City staff:

  • Abbotsford Recreation Centre Lobby
  • Matsqui Recreation Centre Lobby
  • City parks

  * Presentations in third-party venues will be considered as long as activities are free and open to the public.

• Supports Provided

  • Free use of City venues for programming (based on availability) 
  • Free access to cordless rechargeable audio equipment: PA system, amplifiers, and microphone system with stands (Please note that performers must arrange to pick up and return equipment from Abbotsford City Hall)

  City marketing and promotion of activities

• Eligibility

  • Performance and Artist Facilitation opportunities will be selected with priority given to applicants residing in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley 
  • Performance opportunities are best suited for solo artist or duos
  • All activities must occur between September 19 - October 12
  • Payment from the public during performances or workshops cannot be accepted
  • Performances and workshops must be family friendly, free, and open to all members of the public without restriction
• Renumeration

  Successful applicants adhering to the duration formats outlined above, will be offered payment 
  accordingly:
  - $300 per musical performance
  - $500 per artist facilitation (inclusive of materials)