Chamberlain Square

Another of ArtsFest’s central hubs, Chamberlain Square features ArtsFest’s second outdoor stage. The steps within the square create an amphitheatre in front of the stage and an ideal viewing platform for audiences to sit back and enjoy the fantastic range of performances hosted on The Midland’s Music Stage throughout the day.

Chamberlain Square pARTicipate Marquees with a variety of arts and craft activites.

Indoor Venues within the Chamberlain Square site are:
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham Conservatoire
Central Library (this will be self programmed and not available for selection)
The Library Theatre (this will be self programmed and not available for selection)

Venue Specific Information

The Midland’s Music Stage
(Chamberlain Square)

The Midland’s Music Stage is ArtsFest’s outdoor stage. The steps within the square create an amphitheatre in front of the stage and ideal viewing platform for audiences. The stage will provide the opportunity for emerging and established talent and acts that are showcasing new and original work, to present this in an outdoor arena.

If you choose to nominate this stage in your application please be aware that competition to perform here is high. ArtsFest will be looking for artists / groups that demonstrate one or more of the following in their application:

Why you ‘stand out from the crowd’?

Why you have popular appeal to a wide variety of audience types?

How your work is new, or innovative and cutting edge?

If you have been attracting wider acclaim whether through television / radio / internet; national / international gigs and festival appearances; or through record label interest.

Availability:

Saturday 8th September: 10.00 – 19.00
Sunday 9th September: 10.00 – 19.00

(Please note that these times are provisional at this stage and may be subject to change).

Access:

For artists bringing equipment that they wish to drop off by vehicle they will be able to do this by pulling up at the corner of Edmund Street and Margaret Street. Artists will then have to carry their equipment a short way to the stage. Artists will be required to move their vehicle as soon as they have unloaded.

The pARTicipate Village
(Chamberlain Square / Victoria Square)

Each year ArtsFest features a series of workshops, under the banner of pARTicipate, where visitors are invited to take part in a variety of art, craft, design or digital media techniques. Workshop applications are welcomed in any practical or digital media.

At ArtsFest 2012 workshops will be located in marquees around Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square. Those wishing to facilitate a workshop are asked to state a minimum size space they would need. Each marquee measures 3 metres by 3 metres. If two marquees are required then the size would be 6 metres by 3 metres.

Workshops may take place on either the Saturday or Sunday of the festival or for both days. They must however last for the entire duration of the day.

Availability:

Saturday 8th September: 11.00 – 18.00
Sunday 9th September: 11.00 – 18.00

(Please note that these times are provisional at this stage and may be subject to change).

Artists who wish to facilitate a workshop must be aware that all materials need to be sourced and paid for by themselves and visitors cannot be charged to take part in the workshop. ArtsFest are able to provide assistance with tables, chairs and a power supply but nothing else. These must be requested on your. Artists who facilitate a workshop at ArtsFest find that the cost of materials can be offset against increased attendance at classes and courses they run, or through the contacts and experience they gain to secure future paid work.

To be considered to facilitate a workshop artists are asked at the application stage to submit a minimum of ten examples of their work and previous workshop facilitation.

The pARTicipate Village will be managed by the pARTicipate Village Coordinator, who is a member of the ArtsFest team.

Street Performances

Each year, street performances play a significant part in ArtsFest. This year is no different as Chamberlain Square will be alive with an exciting atmosphere. The venue, however does not have any access to electrical points or technical support. Artists are welcome to provide their own electrical equipment, however this should be PAT tested prior to the festival.

Availability Times:
Saturday – 11:30 – 19:00
Sunday – 11:30 – 19:00