Performing Artist (without Booth)

Downtown South Bend, Inc. invites performing artists of all genres to apply to Art Beat 2026! We love to see a variety of entertainment, from ballet to bluegrass, belly dancing to barbershop. Share your performing arts talents at Art Beat!

Performing artists who want to perform and do not wish to have a booth at Art Beat should use this application. Otherwise please fill out the application titled "Performing Artist (with Booth)."
 
Each performing artist will be given the option to purchase a 10’x10’ booth space for $30 (50% off the 2026 booth fee.)  NOTE - Booths must be set up by 10:00 am, staffed all day, and must remain up until 7 pm. If a performer is just wishing to sell merchandise during their set and does not want to have a booth for the duration of the event, merch tables will be available by each stage for that purpose.

PARTICIPATION RULES

Eligibility: Nonprofits located in the following counties are eligible for participation: St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall and Starke counties in Indiana and Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph counties in Michigan.

Application must be submitted before the deadline: April 24, 2026.
Performers need to adhere to the stage schedule and should arrive early enough to be set up and ready at their scheduled start time. They must also finish at their scheduled end time. Stage managers will be on hand to provide timing cues.

Performers should be aware that this is a community event and that the content of their work should be suitable for all ages. If you feel your performance needs more creative freedom, please email Jessica at jbamber@downtownsouthbend.com to discuss the matter; it might be possible to place you in an indoor venue and include a “recommended for mature audiences” note in the program.

Performing artist applicants must include up-to-date information in their application, including an email address that is checked on a regular basis and a mobile number for text updates. DTSB and Art Beat will not share contact information with other parties.

Performing artists must agree to the terms and conditions included in the Release of Liability Waiver

FEES
Application fees are waived for performing artists.

COMMUNICATIONS: 
Informational e-newsletters will be sent out to Art Beat applicants on a regular basis. Applicants are requested to include an email address that is checked frequently in their application so as not to miss important announcements and instructions. Applicants should also check their spam/junk folders to make sure that important Art Beat emails are not hidden. Additionally, the Facebook group "The Artists of Michiana...Unleashed!" is a helpful resource for local artists and event updates. Event info and a list of accepted artists will also be available at ArtBeatSouthBend.org. 

Art Beat participants are encouraged to share and post in the official Art Beat 2026 Facebook Event page. PLEASE DO NOT CREATE YOUR OWN ART BEAT FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE as it confuses visitors as to which is the real one, causing them to miss out on important event updates and announcements. Any questions, comments, issues, or suggestions regarding Art Beat can be directed to the following email address: ArtBeatDTSB@gmail.com.

NOTIFICATIONS:

Applicants will be informed on or before May 22 as to the status of their acceptance.  

RAIN POLICY:
In case of severe weather, the event will be delayed 24 hours until Sunday, August 16, 11:00 am. - 7:00 pm. Event organizers will make this call by noon on Friday, August 14 and notify all participating artists by email as well as post information on the Art Beat website, and DTSB's social media.

NO-SHOW POLICY:
Art Beat organizers must receive notice of your inability to attend the event at least 4 weeks prior to the event so the space can be reassigned to another artist. Please note that application processing fees cannot be refunded. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by the Art Beat Committee. All participants must arrive prior to 9:30 am. on the event date. Participants failing to arrive by 9:30 am. will be declared a No Show and their booth space will be forfeited. Event staff will allow artists from end booths to fill in their place to eliminate gaps in the festival. Participants classified as No Shows will jeopardize their future participation in Art Beat. 

COMPENSATION
Art Beat is a free community event with the mission of celebrating the artistic talents within our local area. The goal of the event is not to make a profit - sponsorships and vendor fees just barely cover event costs, and no additional funds are available to compensate performing artists. Art Beat does however provide local performing artists the opportunity to reach a large audience, as Art Beat has an annual attendance of over 20,000 people, and thousands more people will view the performance schedules on our social media and website. 

ITEMS PROVIDED
Here is a list of what will be provided at each stage:
 
Main Stages (East and West):
- 20'x16'x3' stage w/ Shade Canopy
- Main PA speakers & subwoofer
- 1 Audio mixer
- 2 stage monitor speakers
- shared drum set
- 5 mics on stands
- 4 direct input boxes
- Ipod/mp3 input
- 1 technician
additional mic inputs could be accommodated with prior notice.
 
Dance Stage:
- 24'x20x'3' Mobile Hydraulic stage w/ roof
- 2 15" powered speakers
- 2 stage monitor speakers
- 1 Audio mixer
- 1 wireless handheld mic
- Ipod/mp3 input
- CD player
- 1 technician
 
Variety Stage:
-1 24'x16'x3' mobile hydraulic stage w/roof
- 2 15" main speakers
- 1 Audio mixer
- 2 stage monitor speaker
- 4 wired mics on stands
- 2 direct input boxes
- Ipod/mp3 input
- CD player
- 1 technician
 
Acoustic Stage:
- 1 16’x8’x18” stage with canopy
- 8 channel mixing board
- 2 wired mics
- 2 straight mic stands
- 1 boom mic stand
- powered JBL 15: speakers w/stands
- 6 XLR mic cables
- 6 ¼ in. cables
-1 technician
 
Here are some other important pieces of info:

Drum Set: A shared drum set will be available at the Main Stages and Variety Stage for ease in transition.
Changing Tents: A 10x10 tent with sides will be available at the Dance Stage and Variety Stage for the dancers and fashion show models to change.
Backing Music: A note about backing music for dancers and other performers who will be bringing their own music – stages will have a CD player and/or Ipod, but the sound technicians will require a representative of the performer/group assist with running the music (ie – skipping to certain songs on a CD or Ipod.)