Festival to promote music and the arts set for Vancouver in August

Calls for Art are going out nationally, and locally, as the city of Vancouver prepares for the inaugural Vancouver Arts and Music Festival in August.

The event, hosted by the city, Vancouver Symphony, and the Columbia Arts Network, aims to offer a diverse selection of fine art as well as free music concerts. This free, all-ages festival, to be held Aug. 4-6, will be centered around Esther Short Park with additional venues throughout Vancouver.

The festival’s National Art Exhibit is reaching out to fine artists across the country to apply, and the Regional Art Exhibit will showcase local talent from Southwest Washington. 

Another Call for Art includes a Festival Poster Competition, which invites artists to create the official festival poster. A prize of $700 will be awarded to the winning entry.

There also will be several vendor booths, where artists can showcase and sell their work during the festival.

“By extending these calls for art, we hope to engage artists from all walks of life, providing a diverse and exciting offering for festival attendees,” according to a press release from Columbia Arts Network. “These platforms offer substantial exposure, fostering connections between artists and art enthusiasts.”

There is a reason that the event is free to the public, as well.

“Everyone is invited to learn, explore, and experience the joy of connecting with arts and culture, without worrying about ticket prices or entrance fees,” the release said.

The Calls to Art have deadlines.

Artists wishing to take part in the National Art Show and the Regional Art Show need to apply by June 20. Artists have until June 30 to submit work in the Poster Competition. 

For those wishing to showcase and sell their work as a vendor, the application deadline is May 31. For more information and for application forms, visit the Columbia Arts Network website at: www.columbiaartsnetwork.org