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Selection Process
Performing at the Northwest
Folklife Festival
Contact Us
Back to Online Application Page
1. What is the deadline
for submitting a performer application?
Wednesday, November 1, 2006.
Applications must be submitted
online, postmarked, or hand-delivered
by this date. Late applications
are accepted, but are considered
on a space-available basis.
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2. If I don't want to apply
online, what are my options?
If you don’t wish or aren’t
able to apply online, you can
download and print your application
or you can call us at (206)
684-4189. Leave your name and
address on the voicemail and
we’ll send you an application.
Here are the addresses for sending
or delivering your finished
application to us:
MAILING ADDRESS:
Northwest Folklife
305 Harrison Street
Seattle WA 98109-4623
HAND-DELIVERY ONLY:
158 Thomas St, #32
Seattle, WA
(South of Key Arena at Seattle Center)
3. Do you accept
late applications?
Late applications are accepted,
but on a space-available basis.
For the best chance at a spot
in the 2007 Northwest Folklife
Festival, be sure to apply before
November 1, 2006. Top
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4. Do I have
to send anything by mail, if
I apply online?
Every performer is required
to send in a complete technical
diagram and an audition recording.
If you did not upload this information
during the online application
process, you must send it to
us by mail or hand-deliver it.
The technical diagram form is
available for download.
For more information about the
audition recording, see the
next question. Top
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5. What is an
audition sample?
An audition sample is an example
of your work that helps us understand
what you do. Performers are
required to submit an audition
sample with their application.
An audition sample can consist
of one CD with a minimum of
three audio tracks OR
one VHS/DVD with a minimum of
5 minutes of visual material.
If you’re applying online,
you may upload your audition
sample to us directly. For audio
recordings, we require at least
three music files (min. 3 minutes
each). For visual recordings,
we require video files totaling
10 minutes of material.
If you choose not to upload
your sample, you must mail it
or hand-deliver it to us directly.
Be sure to label your sample,
or it may be lost.
We prefer clear samples, though
professional recording quality
is not necessary. Make sure
your sample accurately represents
what you plan to perform at
the Festival. If you’re
applying as a solo/duo, a recording
with a full band is not representative.
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6. Should I
send in photos and promotional
material with my application?
We don’t require performers
to send us promotional material,
but it can be helpful in evaluating
your application. We may also
be able to publicize your appearance
at the Festival if we have good
photos and promo material. We
prefer hard copies of photos
(5” x 7” and 8”
x 10”) but we accept digital
photos if they are .tif or .jpeg
files with at least 300dpi.
If you are submitting your app
online, photos and promo material
can be uploaded directly to
us, or you can email them to
us: programming (at) nwfolklife.org. Otherwise,
mail photos and promo to us
along with your audition sample
and tech diagram. Top
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7. When
will I hear back about my application?
We will contact performers by
late March concerning acceptance
to the Festival. Top
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8. How does
Northwest Folklife select performers
for the Festival?
We receive over 1,000 applications
each year, all of which are
reviewed by Northwest Folklife
programming staff and evaluating
juries. Our goal is to present
the highest quality performers
within a comprehensive range
and balance of traditional and
contemporary musical styles.
With so many applicants, not
everyone can be selected. Because
the Northwest Folklife Festival
is a community festival, we
make an effort to be as inclusive
as possible.Top
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9. Can I
apply to perform at the Northwest
Folklife Festival if I live
outside of the Northwest?
We are a regional, community
festival and give first priority
to performers from the Pacific
Northwest (Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, W. Montana, Alaska and
British Columbia). Though we
occasionally present performers
from outside the Northwest,
they are usually brought to
the Festival by a local community.
We welcome all communities of
the Northwest to work with Northwest
Folklife to sponsor special
guest artists from other states
and countries.
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10. Sometimes
I’m accepted to perform
at the Festival and sometimes
I’m not, are performers
rotated?
In our most competitive categories
(ex: singer-songwriters, contemporary
music, dance ensembles) groups
are often rotated every other
year. In addition, performers
who have performed for several
years in a row may not be selected
in order to allow new performers
a chance to participate in the
Festival. Top
of page
11.
Can performers perform more than
once at the Northwest Folklife
Festival?
Space and time limitations make
it rarely possible for performers
to perform more than once at
the Festival.
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12. What
is Northwest Folklife’s
policy on electric instruments?
We strongly encourage the use
of acoustic instruments for
performance at the Northwest
Folklife Festival in an effort
to reduce sound interference
from stage to stage. Due to
space limitations, it is sometimes
difficult to place bands that
perform with a drum kit and
electric instruments.Top
of page
13. How
much does Northwest Folklife
pay performers to perform at
the Festival?
Because we are a free festival
and do not charge any admission,
we are not able to pay performers.
Performers at the Festival donate
their time and talent. Top
of page
14. What do
I get for performing at Folklife?
Though we cannot pay performers,
we do everything we can to support
artists and make the trip worthwhile.
Performers can look forward
to massive exposure (250,000+
people attend the Festival),
a great stage and sound crew,
a chance to sell recordings,
possible travel reimbursement
and access to the festival hospitality
area (great jams & cheap
beer). Top
of page
15. How
do I sell recordings at the
Festival?
The Folklife Store sells the
recordings and books of any
Festival participant at the
Festival in the Alki Room. This
service makes your materials
available during the entire
weekend. A small percentage
is retained by Northwest Folklife
to cover related expenses.
Performers may also sell recordings
from the stage immediately after
their performance. Performers
are not permitted to solicit
funds or sell anything other
than their own recordings and
books from the stage. Details
are sent out with performer
confirmation packets. Top
of page
16. Does
Northwest Folklife provide lodging
during the Festival?
We do not provide lodging for
performers during the Festival.
We do partner with Hotel Nexus
(www.hotelnexusseattle.com)
and other hotel sponsors to
provide a lodging package for
the Festival at a special rate.
Check out our website starting
in January for more info on
lodging options in Seattle.Top
of page
17. Does
Northwest Folklife provide travel
reimbursement to performers?
Performers who travel from within
the Pacific Northwest (OR, WA,
ID, AL, MT, BC) but over 50
miles may be eligible for one-way
travel reimbursement, with a
maximum of $150. One-way miles
traveled will be reimbursed
for each driver at the rate
of 30 cents per mile. Reimbursements
will be made for other acceptable
forms of travel (ferry, bus,
train or airline) with proper
receipts submitted. A Travel
Reimbursement form must be completed
during registration at the Northwest
Folklife Festival in order to
be reimbursed. Top
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18. Where can
I find more information on street
performing at the Festival?
Please refer to our website
(www.nwfolklife.org) for more
info on street performing at
the Festival. Contact us at
684-4189 if you have any questions.
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page
19. I have
more questions, how do I get
answers?
If you have any additional questions
or concerns, please contact
the Performer Hotline at (206)
684-4189 or email us at programming (at) nwfolklife.org.
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page
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