Portland Parks & Recreation’s Urban Parks and Summer Free For All programs produce over 200 free community events each year. These events build community, activate public spaces, and celebrate Portland! We are looking to highlight and support local talent – artists, bands, performers – from the Portland Metro Area. Performances should be high-quality, reflect the diversity of our community, and appropriate for audiences of all ages. We are specifically looking for:

• Multi-cultural performances that appeal to diverse audiences
• Family-friendly content (including lyrics), though not necessarily kid-focused
• Audience interaction and performances that encourage crowd participation
• Professionalism

Our programming is community-driven and community-focused. We strive to keep our selection process fair, transparent, and consistent. We work collaboratively across programs to create a well-rounded menu of arts and culture opportunities for all Portlanders. All artists are selected based on interest and input directly from our community partners. Occasionally, we will present artists who have not applied, but have been specifically requested by the community.

Our goal is to be equitable and book as many performers as possible each year. Because our programming is community-driven, and we receive more artist applications than event opportunities, selection to perform one year does not guarantee placement the next year.

Click here for a printable version of this information.

Submission Process and Timeline

1. Learn about our artist and performer opportunities by reading the information within these web pages, or read a printable version of this information.
2. Complete our online 2018 Performer Application by February 15, 2018 – let us know which performance opportunities you’d like to be considered for.
3. Urban Parks and Summer Free For All staff will review all artists and get community input on 2018 programming.
4. If you are selected to perform during our 2018 summer event season, you will be notified by email by Thursday, March 1, 2018. Applicants who are not selected will not be notified, but your application will be kept on hand for one year for consideration for other PP&R events.

Most of performance opportunities happen in the summer. Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2018, to be considered for our 2018 summer event season, which runs approximately May through September. We will keep applications for one year for consideration for special events and programs throughout the year.

Artists and performers may email concerts@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-5059 with questions about this application process.

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