What is Art in Lou?

Art in Lou is a partnership of Fund for the Arts and Louisville Tourism to bring Louisville streets and public spaces to life with the arts. For the months of July through November 2019, Art in Lou provides artists (“buskers”) with paid opportunities to perform for the community in public spaces (i.e., street corners, sidewalks, plazas, etc.) providing a welcoming, lively atmosphere for tourists and residents. Art in Lou Performances are curated by the Fund for the Arts and made possible by the generosity of Louisville Tourism.

Arts in Lou Objectives

1. Promote the arts and culture sector in our city to authentically share the creativity, talent, energy, and character of our city to visitors and residents alike.
2. Recognize the economic impact of the arts and culture sector and its support to the city.

How do I become an Art in Lou performer?

• To be considered for Art in Lou, you must complete the Art in Lou Application:
• Click here to start a new application.
• Click here to access a saved application.

Please read all of the information below before completing the Art in Lou Application.

Artists of any art form may apply.

Artists from Greater Louisville (Jefferson, Shelby, Oldham, Bullitt, and Spencer counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana) may apply.

The Art in Lou applications ask you to provide the following information:

• Name of the primary contact
• Contact and social media information
• Name of your act
• One sentence about your act
• Is your act a solo act, a duo, or a trio
• Link to a video of a live performance (YouTube is preferred)
• Availability for any of the time slots in the table below

Art in Lou performers are needed for the following dates and times. Please note that these dates and times are subject to change.

• October 22, 11am-1pm
• October 22, 12pm-2pm
• October 22, 12pm-2pm
• October 25, 5pm-7pm
• November 15, 12pm-2pm
• November 16, 11am-1pm
• November 29, 5pm-7pm (Holiday Theme)

When are applications due? When will I be notified if I am selected?

Applications may be submitted any time between now and November 15, 2019. For any specific dates that you would like to be considered, we recommend submitting an application at least four weeks in advance.

Applications are reviewed regularly, and performances are booked approximately two to four weeks in advance, so please be patient.

What should I expect if I am selected as an Art in Lou performer?

If you are selected as an Art in Lou performer, you will receive a follow-up request for your performance availability.

Before and After your Performance

Prior to your performance, you are responsible for picking up signage and the tip bucket from the Fund for the Arts. After your performance, you are responsible for returning the signage and tip bucket to the Fund for the Arts.

After your performance, you are responsible for returning the signage and tip bucket to The Fund for the Arts. You will work with the Fund for the Arts to determine specific times for signage and tip bucket pick up and drop off.

Guidelines for Performing

• You must perform in your assigned space, which could include a sidewalk, park, plaza, downtown business, the Kentucky International Convention Center, the Louisville Visitors Center, or other venue or location.
• During your assigned date and time
• Next to the Art in Lou sign
• You may collect tips
• You must utilize the designated Art in Lou tip bucket provided to you
• Please provide a photo taken of your performance during your slotted performance. This photo may be used by the Fund for the Arts or Louisville Tourism for (but not limited to) social media and promotional use. Email photo to Eking@fundforthearts.org
• Do not ask for money out loud or on a sign. Do not approach or solicit pedestrians.
• Don’t perform for tips on any public transportation vehicle, bus stop, public parking lot, or structure.
• Don’t perform for tips in close proximity to an ATM or bank, outdoor dining, or school.
• Be careful not to block pedestrians on the sidewalk or the entrance to a building
• Watch the noise level and don’t violate the noise ordinance. A safe guideline is that people should not be able to hear you at all from a distance of about 100 feet.
• The Fund for the Arts will not provide amplification for your performance. if you would like to use amplifications, you must provide your own system. Please note that there may not be a publicly accessible power source at your assigned location.
• Performances must be family-friendly.
• Performers of all ages may participate. however, if your act includes a performer under the age of 18, an adult must be present for the entirety of the performance.

Documenting your Performance

• Before your performance, take a selfie in front of the Art in Lou sign and post it to Facebook, tagging Fund for the Arts and Louisville Tourism.

Please note that late arrivals and no-shows for booked Art in Lou performances may make you ineligible to participate in Art in Lou.

If your performance must be canceled for weather-related reasons (i.e. rain, high winds, etc.) you will not receive a cancellation fee but your performance will be rescheduled.

Payment from the Fund for the Arts

Artists selected as Art in Lou performers will be paid by the Fund for the Arts. Art in Lou performances will be required to submit a W9 and sign an Artist Agreement with the Fund for the Arts. Artists selected as Art in Lou performers are paid the following per two-hour performance:

• Solo acts: $100
• Duos: $160
• Trios: $210

Please note that the Fund for the Arts mails checks twice per month: the 1st and 15th day of each month. Your payment will be processed as quickly as possible in accordance with this schedule after your Art in Lou performance takes place.

Additional Questions?

If you have any additional questions about Art in Lou, please contact the Fund for the Arts at grants@fundforthearts.org