Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the City of Bloomington. Bloom has republished it here with edits for style and clarity.
The City of Bloomington encourages local artists of color to apply for participation in the Bloomington Black y Brown Arts Festival (BBBAF), taking place Sunday, August 8, at the Switchyard Park Pavilion and performance stage beginning at 2 p.m. Now in its third year, the festival seeks to raise and expand art appreciation, create space that affirms persons of color in the community, provide a medium for local talent to showcase visual and performing arts in an environment that engages the audience with artists and their work, and enhance Bloomington’s spirit of inclusion. The festival is supported by the City of Bloomington’s Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs and Safe and Civil City Program (part of the Community and Family Resources Department) along with the Bloomington Arts Commission and City departments of Economic and Sustainable Development and Parks and Recreation.
The free, family-friendly event will include a visual arts exhibition in the pavilion and a performance showcase on stage, with food trucks offering wares for purchase. Visual, literary, and performing artists who identify as African, African American, Hispanic, Latinx, and Native American are encouraged to apply for participation in the festival by exhibiting works of visual art or craft, or performing dance, music, spoken word, or other art forms. Participating artists will be permitted to sell their artworks or associated merchandise at the venue.
“We’re excited to see the return of the Black y Brown Festival to our City’s proud lineup of cultural offerings,” says Mayor John Hamilton. “In just a few years, this newer addition to our arts calendar has served to connect a broader and more diverse scope of artists with audiences and expand what people know about Bloomington and Bloomingtonians.”
Artists may apply for participation at bloomington.in.gov/byb, where they will be asked to submit an image or recording of their work along with a biography and headshot. Submissions are due Monday, July 26, at 5:30 p.m. There is a $15 non-refundable application fee to reserve space. Additional information is available at bloomington.in.gov/byb.
