Licencee Information

Licensing for

• artists
• jugglers
• musicians
• food vendors

The Inner Harbour

The Causeway Day Market and the Ship Point Night Market give both locals and visitors the opportunity to share their craft in the heart of Victoria.  The GVHA is in constant search of inspired Artists, Musicians, Jugglers and Food Vendors to develop an already renowned pedestrian market into an even greater arts and entertainment experience.

Artists: Original, self-made artwork is permitted for show and/or sale.  Artists are encouraged to create their art while on the Causeway to display the creative process and skilled workmanship behind it. 

Musicians: We welcome Monteverdi to Metallica so long as it’s kept unplugged. Individuals and ensembles are invited to apply to perform at the Causeway.  Busking venues are scattered all along the Inner Harbour available for two-hour sets.

Jugglers: Family-friendly performances have become a staple of the lower Causeway’s daily events.  Forty-five minute show slots are available at the centrally located world class Jugglers’ Pitch, which has built-in seating on the lower Causeway and great views from the Government Street wall.

Food Vendors: When visitors to the Inner Harbour want to fully enjoy the entire Causeway experience, they need a quick and easy way to eat.  There are four designated venues for food vendors in the Inner Harbour. 

Safety

The Commissionaires provide security during daily operations at the Causeway and the Ship Point Night Market.  The Inner Harbour is well monitored to insure that all of our licensees are free to conduct business in a safe environment.

Causeway Day Market

The GVHA reserves the lower causeway for 24 full-time visual artists, 24 full-time musicians and 9 full-time street performers. All full-time licensees are guaranteed venue availability at the Causeway seven days a week, 365 days a year, between the hours of 10:00am and 11:00pm.

There are a variety of venue locations designated for specific uses along the lower causeway, as well as more remote busking venues at Fisherman’s Wharf and on the Wharf Street pier.  Visual artists and vendors are provided with a permanent venue location, whereas performers collectively schedule their daily and weekly venue rotation.

The option for annual licensees to be on the Causeway seven days a week during designated hours is certainly available.  However, if a licensed artist or performer can only attend certain days of the week or is aware of days she or he may be absent; that position in the causeway becomes available to other artists/ performers with weekly licenses, on waitlist or by invitation.

Ship Point Night Market

Between the second to last weekend of June and Labour Day weekend, the Night Market at Ship Point offers a unique collection of art and music.  From 7:00pm to 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday nights, the GVHA prides itself in presenting a more diverse cross-section of the national – occasionally international – arts community.  We invite both local and visiting artists, musicians and performers to join the troupes on the busiest nights in the Inner Harbour.  Night Market licenses are issued on a weekend to weekend basis and no preference to seniority or locale is taken.

Set-up begins at 6:00pm; however sales and performances may not begin before 7:00pm.  All displays, tents, tables, and other necessary equipment must be supplied by the participant.  It is strongly recommended that all participants bring their own lighting (100w) and 25 foot extension cord in order to stay visible during the later hours.

Applications and Juries

In order to participate as a musician, juggler, or an artist at the Causeway Day Market; an application form must first be completed and submitted to the GVHA with a brief curriculum vitae.  Artists are asked to provide a description, sample or images of the type of artwork wished to be displayed.  An outline of performance type, length and repertoire is required from all performing applicants; sample scripts or audio/video recordings may be included, but are purely optional.  A jury time will be scheduled upon the receipt and approval of a completed application.

Juries for annual license applicants are conducted by representatives appointed by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority to evaluate both the merit of the applicant and how he/she will fit into the established market atmosphere.

Application forms can be downloaded from the navigation bar. Completed application forms should be returned to the Night Market Coordinator or to the GVHA office.

Plan ahead: completed registration forms and full payment must be received by the GVHA one week prior to the desired weekend of attendance.

Causeway Licence Rates 2008/2009 Season

All prices subject to 5% GST.

*If necessary, payment for annual licenses may be completed in installments.

Causeway Licence Rates 2007/2008 Off Season

All prices subject to 5% GST.

*If necessary, payment for annual licenses may be completed in installments.

Victoria Harbour Festival and Night Market Enquiries:
Joseph Gonyeau
Coordinator, Victoria Harbour Festival
(250) 413-6828
jgonyeau@victoriaharbour.org