Busking in Nanaimo

[Piper]

The city issues a variety of grants on a yearly basis. All it takes is an application form and jumping through the hoops.

Organizing a buskers festival and applying for a grant with the right things filled in and reasons for the grant must be structured and firm with accurate numbers.

Give it a shot!

I think smokey I can handle that It's something I will look into for 2009 I think if my memory serves me right Queen of the waterfront applied for such a grant and was turned down. Perhaps she could explain what went wrong with her application.

[queen of the waterfront]

Smokey I put in an application for a grant for a buskers festival five years ago at the request of Ron Cantelon.. I spent considerable time researching festivals all over the world. i did my homework , figured out a budget, gathered volunteers .

My plan was to have three busking stages with world class acts. One at the Lions Pavilion , one at Diana krall plaza and roving buskers at The Old city Quarter.
I asked for 1500 dollars. The insurance costs alone would have been a thousand dollars.

i would have provided the PA equipment and I had a local sponsor who was willing to contribute an equal amount.I waited for six months to get an answer from the city and Parks and rec. by that time I was thoroughly discouraged by all busking issues in Nanaimo.I had been given an opportunity in Cowichan Bay.
One week before I moved I called LArry Mc Nabb to find out what had happened to my application . He told me that I had been awarded three hundred dollars. This to put on a three day festival.

i still have my proposal and I might do it again sometime as I have learned a lot about sponsorship. Since I have been back in Nanaimo I have helped raise thousands of dollars with my band the Grey Notes. I have a couple of businesses who would be willing to contribute. I have a website now which would be more than useful.
IS it worth my while?
Is it good for Nannimo?
Check out the HAlifax Busking festival to see how many millions of dollars are generated by their festival.
Also the Edmonton Fringe Festival is much about busking.

Do I have the time right now? Is it the right climate to be looking at such a project?

i have just completed two CDs of original music in less than a year and have another one lined up for MArch. These I funded with my own money which I earned by setting up my own small business . Playing paying gigs, busking, doing janitor work and childcare.

I am not sure I want to contribute the huge amount of time and labor to a project when the "Busking Crowd" such as we are, is regarded as so much flotsam and jetsam.

[queen of the waterfront]

Piper I was not turned down I simply was not taken seriously.

[Blue]

If it has been 5 years since the last time someone applied for a grant it may be time to try again. If anyone is serious about setting up a festival or getting grant money for the busking community, now might be the time.

In order to be taken seriously budgets and timelines must be detailed. I would suggest having venue costs, staffing costs, equipment prices etc outlined before submitting a proposal, and also have a list of those that would be volunteering/helping run the show. Where is the money earned going, etc.

Keep in mind when applying for a grant not to start up the discussion regarding bylaws and other problems with the busking scene, as this will only be harmful to your chances of receiving any money. Steer clear of any negativity and make sure to ask a lot of questions.

An aqquaintance of mine was successful in receiving over $3000 in grants to start a street artists festival in Newfoundland, he was prepared with a 10 page report outlining the marketing/staffing/budgeting for the whole event.

[queen of the waterfront]

Good info Blue

Thankyou.

I personally believe that the timing for the last festival was not right. My business skills are better now also.

Five years ago business was suffering. Since that time many new people have moved to Nanaimo and I sense a change in attitude.

Sometimes it is good to realise that if you cant beat them you must join them.

Music in Nanaimo is also 9on the upswing as more places like Basque and the Red Martini Grill provide unique venues for all kinds of music.

kudos to the Blues Underground and the vault for providing venues that are alcohol free so that kids get a chance to shine.

[Smokey©]

My plan was to have three busking stages with world class acts. One at the Lions Pavilion , one at Diana Krall plaza and roving buskers at The Old city Quarter.
I asked for 1500 dollars. The insurance costs alone would have been a thousand dollars.
One week before I moved I called Larry McNabb to find out what had happened to my application . He told me that I had been awarded three hundred dollars. This to put on a three day festival.

Three hundred dollars is not too shabby of a figure for a first time effort, as I have seen the city offer only a hundred and fifty to some organizations that put on events with a solid history. At least they didn't award you nothing!

[queen of the waterfront]

Smokey
I was not as choked about the three hundred dollars as I was about the process. I wanted to do a Labour day weekend.my application was in for months. When they finally decided to let me know about approval I had less than four weeks to put on a three day event.
no sour grapes . I have been involved with the Blues Fest , the Viex and the Kiwanis on fundraisers since then , as well as SaveOn in Duncan.

i realise that i had a lot to learn after that festival application. Any bad experience that causes you to move onward and upward is a good thing.

[Piper]

I realize that i had a lot to learn after that festival application. Any bad experience that causes you to move onward and upward is a good thing.Hopefully thats how it goes with the changes in the busking bylaw after our bad experience lets hope things get better. There are 2 issues here #1 the busking bylaw needs to be modified as construction continues to create a few problems for buskers and the modification of Mafeo Sutton park will also cause problems for buskers. More busking spots are needed on commercial street to accomodate buskers. #2 The Port Athority is discriminating against licensed buskers and not creating a level playing field for all who are street entertainers. They will be invited to join us in our meetings to change the street entertainers bylaw if they don't show up then we know where they stand on the issue.

[kickidee]

Was there a date for that event piper? it will be most intersting to see what happens there. I am totally hoping it makes evrything better and the street entertainers can keep humming along on that level playing field. Soon!!

[Piper]

Was there a date for that event piper? it will be most intersting to see what happens there. I am totally hoping it makes evrything better and the street entertainers can keep humming along on that level playing field. Soon!!

I know the meeting with the buskers and bylaws is in November Then everyone else who has an intrest in it like parks & rec Downtown partnership Port athority residents near busking sites will be at the next meeting I will post the dates as I get them from bylaws.