Cultural Arts Division

The City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division (the City) creates programming and events that activate public spaces and connect residents and visitors to Ocala’s arts and culture. These programs often feature performing artists (Artist) from a variety of mediums. Artists are invited to perform at Cultural Arts events through a Performing Artist Application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Submission of an application does not guarantee performance at city events.

• The following programs and events feature performing artists:
• First Friday Art Walk
• Retro Sounds
• West Ocala Music Series (currently known as the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series) This policy also applies to any other programs and/or events not listed above, that are coordinated through the Cultural Arts Division.

The following, but not limited to the following, are considered in booking performing artists for cultural arts and science programs and events:

• The sound and body of the artist’s portfolio
• The message, public persona, and reputation of the artist
• The suitability of the booking to the program or event (i.e. genre, theme, etc
• The suitability of the booking relative to Ocala’s goal of creating access to quality, diverse types of music, and performance art.
• Artists must have an active social media presence and/or website.
• Artists must, at a minimum, possess a professional promotional photo and biography.

• The City creates family-friendly and inclusive programs and events that entertain and connect residents socially, and civically while encouraging creative tourism. The following acts are prohibited at city performances.
• Use of profane, obscene, or indecent language, attire, gestures, or behavior.
• Performances that discriminate or include hate speech based on age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression; nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, are strictly prohibited.
• Smoking, chewing tobacco, or intoxication during performances.
• Religious or political proselytizing. Religiously-inspired musical or dance or other performance is welcome.
• Additional logistical restrictions may apply according to the venue of the performance.

If Artist has any concerns or questions, regarding their performance, they should contact the Ocala Cultural Arts staff at 352-629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org.

The safety of artists, staff, and attendees is paramount at City of Ocala events. Staff will consider safety and risk at city performances and may require artists to provide additional equipment and/or insurance to ensure safety and meet local and/or state regulations.

Artists are required to provide insurance or indemnify the City of Ocala for any performances at city venues and events. Artists should obtain a general liability insurance policy issued by a company authorized to do business in the State of Florida and with an A.M. Best Company rating of at least B+. Coverage should include also include claims for damages for bodily injury, including accidental death, as well as for claims for property damage. The amount of such insurance shall be not less than $200,000 for injury to one person arising out of a single incident and $400,000 for injuries to more than one person arising out of a single incident, and $200,000 for property damage with a reasonable deductible. Upon request by City, Artist shall provide City with certificates of insurance which shall list "City of Ocala, a Florida municipal corporation," as an Additional Insured and shall be active for the date of artist’s performance.

In cases where insurance cannot be provided, the artist can request an exemption of these insurance requirements. Artists will be required to complete a Vendor’s Acknowledgement and Agreement in Exchange for Waiver of Insurance Requirements agreement indemnifying the City of Ocala. Additional documents may be requested as determined by the City’s Risk Department.

Please note the following events are not managed by the Cultural Arts Division. Please contact the Special Event Manager, Amy Casaletto, at acasaletto@ocalafl.org in regards to these events:

• Light Up Ocala
• Bluegrass & BBQ
• Cattle Drive & Cowboy Roundup
• Earthfest
• Ft. King Heritage Site Events

First Friday Art Walk

The First Friday Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month, September through May from 6 to 9 p.m. First Friday Art Walk is a complimentary (free) event located within Ocala’s historic downtown. Event festivities include over 30 artist displays, monthly live entertainment, free family art activities provided by local arts organizations, and extended shopping hours at downtown businesses.

The following criteria are used for the booking and consideration of performing artists for First Friday Art Walk:

Musical Performance

• At least 50% of the performance material must be the artist’s original music or arrangement.

Dance Performance (physical choreography)

• Student or professional
• Solo or Group

Retro Sounds

Each March First Friday Art Walk travels back in time with Retro Sounds! Retro Sounds pay homage to the generations of past musical genres and performing artists. The evening features a musical performance by professional tribute artists or bands.

The following criteria are used for the booking and consideration of performing artists for Retro Sounds:

Musical Performance

• Tribute artists and bands are permitted if they apply to the era’s themes and genres selected for the event.
• Variety artists and bands performing a repertoire of music from the selected era.
• If selected, artists are required to submit a setlist of songs for review.

Dance Performance (physical choreography)

• All performances should be themed, choreographed, be accompanied by appropriate music for the selected era.
• Student and/or professional performance is accepted.
• Solo and/or Group performance is accepted.

 

West Ocala Music Series 

(currently funded through the Levitt Foundation as the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series)

The Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a private foundation that empowers towns and cities across America to transform underused public spaces into thriving destinations through the power of free, live music. Each Levitt venue and AMP grant city features family-friendly programming and fosters opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to meet, mingle, and connect.

The Levitt Foundation requires that every artist featured in a Levitt AMP Music Series is professional, high-quality, and family-friendly. The overall lineup must be diverse, which includes a mix of genres, sounds, genders, cultures, and more. The series is subject to funding and may be modified based on the funding secured.

The Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) and the City of Ocala (the City) develop each series’ lineup with careful genre selection and consideration. In addition to the Levitt Foundation criteria and goals of amplifying community pride, creating accessibility to music and championing public green spaces, MCA and the City seek to bring artists that underserved, and unrepresented populations and cultures can identify with and enjoy while introducing all of Ocala’s residents to new musical genres and art forms.

The following is used for the booking and consideration of musical headlining artists:

• At least 75% of the performance material must be the artist’s original music. Tribute artists/bands will not be considered unless there is a specific and creative re-imagining of the original music. (Examples: Bluegrass Beatles, Black Violin, etc
• Artists must be represented by professional management, talent agency, or agent.
• Artists must professionally perform and tour at a variety of venues.
• Artists must have an active website representing an artist or band.
• Artists must have an active social media presence for the artist or band (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
• Artists must have professionally released album(s) or EP(s Musical release that is solely released on established digital music platforms (iTunes, Spotify, etc will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Artists must possess professional press kit materials such as promotional photos, biography, and logo.

The following criteria are used for the booking and consideration of musical support-level performing artists:

• At least 50% of the performance material must be the artist’s original music. Tribute artists/bands will not be considered unless there is a specific and creative re-imagining of the original music. (Examples: Bluegrass Beatles, Black Violin, etc
• Must have an active website or Facebook representing artist or band.
• Artists must, at a minimum, possess a professional photo and bio.
• Support artists are selected based on their musical style and/or genre with consideration of headliners that are booked for the series.

Additional Levitt AMP Ocala Criteria

 

 

In addition to the consideration of budget (fee) and availability, the following, but not limited to, are considered in booking artists:

• The suitability of the booking relative to Ocala’s goal of creating access to quality, diverse forms of musical genres, and performance as well as the Levitt Foundation directive to access genres not typically represented in the community.
• The diversity of the artist relative to the Levitt Foundation’s goal for Levitt venues and Levitt AMP cities to present diverse lineups that represent every age, race, and gender on stage. 
• Please note that the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series celebrates black musicians during any dates in the month of June and hires artists that represent this demographic.

Interested performing artists, bands, talent agents, or managers should complete a Performing Artist Submission Form, for consideration and submit it by email or mail to artinfo@ocalafl.org with the Subject Title – “Performing Artist Submission” – [ARTIST NAME] or mail it to Ocala Recreation and Parks, Attn: Cultural Arts – Performing Artist Submission, 201 SE 3rd St, Ocala, Florida 34471.

All submissions are submitted to a directory for future reference. If selected, City staff will contact the Artist to discuss the performance at city events. Submission does not guarantee that Artist will be selected to perform at any city event. No additional solicitation is required or accepted.

If artists wish to organize and operate their own performance or event in a city space, public spaces can be permitted through the City of Ocala Special Event Permit Application.

For more information, click here for information on Staging an Event on City Property or call Ocala Recreation and Parks 352-368-5517

If you are interested in performing at City of Ocala Cultural Arts events and/or programs, please complete the form below. All attachments must be labeled with [ARTIST NAME - DESCRIPTION]. Items that are not labeled will NOT be considered.

Please note: This form will add you or your band/artist to the directory and it only should be completed once per each artist. Repeated applications will not be considered. Performance is not guaranteed through the completion of this submission form. 

For questions regarding this form, please visit www.ocalafl.org/performingarts or contact Ocala Cultural Arts at 352-629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org. Phone solicitations are not permitted.