Centerfest 2025 Performer Application
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This page provides an overview of the performer application. To access the application, use the link at the bottom of the page to set up a free account.
APPLICATION DEADLINE - Monday June 9th, 2025
The 50th Annual CenterFest is the longest running outdoor juried arts festival in North Carolina. The festival boasts juried visual artists from near and far, great entertainment, lots of food and fun, and educational activities for kids. Located in Downtown Durham's vibrant city center district, CenterFest performers, artists and visitors will enjoy a setting filled with restaurants, shops and studios: a perfect space for an event that will bring 40,000+ visitors over the weekend. CenterFest 2025 will include several performance stages showcasing music, dance, street performers, and community groups. We are looking for a diverse array of performance groups and entertainers. The Durham Arts Council's goal is to showcase community artists, with a focus on performers who may not be represented in the wider arts sector. Performance artists and groups who identify as BIPOC are encouraged to apply.
CenterFest is Sunshine Artist's #1 Fine Arts Festival in North Carolina and is ranked #22 nationally.
We are excited to celebrate 50 years of Centerfest, and its evolution to becoming one of Durham's iconic events!
https://durhamarts.org/centerfest/
Centerfest dates and times: September 20 from 10am-6pm and September 21 from 11am-5pm
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Complete contact information
- Attach your technical needs sheet (upload file as word 'docx, doc' or pdf document, not exceeding 1MB)
- Provide description of your group
- Provide web link to online performance sample
- Upload press quality photo (png, gif, and jpeg files accepted, with file size not exceeding 1MB)
- Opportunities available for featured performers, well-loved bands, ensembles, singer/songwriters, dance groups, puppet shows, processions, juggling, music, marching bands and more.
BENEFITS, SCREENING, AND REGULATIONS
BENEFITS :
If selected to perform, you will receive the following festival benefits:
- Posting on the CenterFest website.
- Exposure through various local marketing, such as streaming, radio, tv, and social media.
- Inclusion in publicity campaign and social media.
- Payment of up to $100 for your 20 - 45-minute performance. More established bands may be considered for higher performance fees.
- A designated area for performers to sell and distribute CD's and merchandise. Performers are responsible for managing their own sales.
SCREENING
All applicants will be screened by the Centerfest 2025 Management Team and entertainment committee. The screening process will take into account technical and scheduling needs, diversity in performances, and record of previous performances. All 2025 Applicants will be notified in Submittable by July 21st, 2025, if they are selected or not selected.
*Once artists receive a contract, please review and sign by August 18th, 2025, at the latest. Failure to sign contract in timely manner may result in contract termination.*
REGULATIONS
- All performers and their crew must follow all rules and regulations for parking, load-in, load-out, and performance as outlined in the performer information packet and performer contract. Failure to follow the rules and/or follow directions from CenterFest staff onsite may result in being asked to leave the festival.
- Artists must perform work for which they were invited.
- Artists must provide technical specifications with the application.
- The DAC retains the right to use any festival documentation and photos to be used in future promotion of CenterFest without compensation to the artist.
- The DAC retains the right to use photos submitted by performer to be used in promotion of CenterFest 2025 without compensation to the artist.
- Stage performances will generally be 20 to 40 minutes.
- DAC provides professional quality sound systems, drum kits at main stages. No cymbals or amps provided.
- All staging areas will be outdoors and two will have coverings. No "green room" dressing room, or rugs will be provided.
- No application fee to apply.
- Load in areas, parking passes and information and festival map will be included in a formal contract between you and the DAC upon selection to perform.
- Rainout: CenterFest is a Rain or Shine event. Performers will be asked to proceed in the event of light rain when it is safe to do so. No compensation will be paid due to performers decision not to participate; performers will be paid in the event of rain if they are present and ready to perform.