Event date Saturday July 14th, 2018, Davis Square, Somerville MA (Rain Date: Sunday July 15th)
ArtBeat is Somerville’s annual multi-media street party! The festival showcases the City’s diverse and vibrant arts communities and attracts ten thousand visitors to Davis Square. Presented by the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. ArtBeat is now its 32nd year and features an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, food, performance and interactive activities. More than 80 regional and local craft and fine art vendors, who create their own work, will be chosen to present from 11am-6pm on Saturday afternoon.
2018 theme: FLIP
This year’s ArtBeat theme is “flip”, a celebration of all things upside down, backwards and sideways. We invite artists and community members to explore how flipping things around can change your point of view. Does flipping things make them better, or worse? How does the idea of flipping things around inform a work of art or concept? “Flip” evokes many things: rapid change; inverting the status quo; changing your mind; flipping a coin; flipping houses; or turning the whole world upside down! Perhaps it’s time to flip a switch – literally or figuratively. Are there things that make you want to flip out? Does this winter make you yearn for your flip flops? For ArtBeat, perhaps we need acrobats flipping through the square, or someone flipping giant pancakes? Let’s flip this festival on its head!
How to submit:
Download an application via the Somerville Arts Council website:
http://somervilleartscouncil.org/sacfiles/imce/editor/artbeat18/artbeatcraftapp18.pdf
Submit 5 color photos or jpegs (on CD or USB) representing the current work you’ll be exhibiting this year. Label each image with your last name followed by a number such as “leeman01”. Please DO NOT send application via email.
Follow the instructions of the application and give corresponding information; include dimensions, materials and prices.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Previous ArtBeat participation does not guarantee placement. Submissions must include images of the current work you will be showing. Vendors are selected on the quality and strength of the applications materials. Shared spaces/applications are juried separately. If the jury does not approve one submission, the accepted applicant must pay the full fee.
All applications must be postmarked by Saturday, March 31st to the Somerville Arts Council. The craft jury will evaluate applications in terms of quality, originality, and marketability. Past participation at ArtBeat does not guarantee an acceptance for this year. Applications without visual support materials (photos or jpegs), and incomplete information will be disqualified. Please do not send slides. Notification e-mails will be sent by the end of April. Your complete packet with set-up information, directions, etc. will be mailed in early July.
Questions? Contact the Arts Council at (617) 625-6600, x 2985 or hbalchunas@somervillema.gov