Licencee Information

Licensing for

• artists
• jugglers
• musicians
• food vendors

Harbour Festival 

The Harbour Festival give both locals and visitors the opportunity to share their craft in the heart of Victoria.  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.  Food Vendors Application Policy

GVHA reserves the lower Causeway in the Inner Harbour for 24 full-time visual artists, 24 full-time musicians and 9 full-time street performers and offers 1 full-time musician venue at both Fisherman's Wharf and the Wharf Street Pier. All full-time licensees are guaranteed venue availability between 10:00am and 11:00pm. 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

The Ship Point Night Market offers a unique collection of art and music every Thursday. Friday and Saturday night (except on the BC & Labour Day long weekends & weather permitting) from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

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 5 p.m.; sales and performances begin at 7 p.m.  All displays, tents, tables, and other necessary equipment must be supplied by the participant.  GVHA strongly recommends that all participants bring their own lighting (100w) and 25 foot extension cord in order to stay visible during the later hours.

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

Harbour Days Market

The Ship Point Night Market expands into the Harbour Days Market and runs over the 3 long weekends during the summer of 2011; Canada Day (Thursday June 30 - Sunday July 3); BC Day (Friday July 29 - Sunday August 1) and the Labour Day (Friday September 2 to Monday September 5, 2011). 

Market hours are 11 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. 

The BC Day long weekend corresponds with the Victoria Symphony Splash which attracts thousands of locals and tourists. On the Labour Day long weekend, Classic Boats fill the harbour adding to the festivities. Throughout these weekends, vendor tents can be left up overnight with security provided. Set up begins at 4:00pm and takedown is at 5:00pm.  Applications to participate in the Harbour Days Market can be found at on the left.

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. 
 

Applications and Juries

In order to participate as a musician, juggler, or an artist at the Victoria Harbour Festival an application form must 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 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 on the left. Completed application forms should be returned to the Victoria Harbour Festival Coordinator or to the GVHA office.  

Harbour Festival Programme & Night Market Rates 2011/2012 Season

10% discount if PAYING IN FULL before or on April 1, 2011 only.
50% payable upon approved contract signing on or be April 1, 2011.
50% remaining payable on July 5, 2011.

All prices include 12% HST. 

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