Official Venue Application 2026

Q: Can any business located in the Quad Cities participate in Alternating Currents?

A: Alternating Currents is produced and primarily funded by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP). With DDP's affiliation with the Quad Cities Chamber, we are able to collaborate with other Chamber downtown affiliates in Bettendorf and Rock Island on AC programming.

Whilewe'd love to expand further into other parts of the Quad Cities, our team capacity and funding structure require us to focus on the Downtown Davenport and Bettendorf SSMIDs and the SSA in downtown Rock Island.

At this time, we are not able to add venues outside of these districts.

Q: What does it cost to be an official venue?

A: Because Alternating Currents is supported by several downtown districts, each with its own budgets and priorities, financial arrangements for official venues vary across the festival footprint. Some venues pay a participation fee, while others may receive programming support directly from their downtown district.

The specific structure for your venue will be outlined in your 2026 agreement after festival staff review your space and production needs.

Q: What if I want to produce my own event and co-promote through AC?

A: We have a number of ways for organizations to engage as affiliate events and/or showcase performances. If you want to self-produce an event during AC and be included on our schedule or have a new idea you want to bring to the festival, contact Alisha Espey at aespey@quadcitieschamber.com.

Q: When do I need to submit an application by?

A: The deadline to apply for AC 2026 is on December 19, 2025.

Q: When will I know if I've been selected as an official venue? 

A: Festival staff will reach out to confirm participation with an official venue contract no later than March 30, 2026.

What to Expect if Selected as an Official Venue

If your venue is selected for Alternating Currents 2026, our team will make the process as simple and turn-key as possible. Once your venue agreement is finalized, AC staff will take the lead on programming, scheduling, and festival logistics.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Festival-led programming.
  Our team will curate and schedule performances that best fit your space, your operations, and the overall festival footprint.
• A streamlined onboarding process.
  After reviewing your application and venue details, we’ll confirm your programming model and outline what to expect for festival weekend.
• A clear venue agreement.
  You’ll receive a formal agreement that includes expectations, load-in/out details, production requirements, operating hours, and your scheduled activations.
• Marketing and promotional support.
  We provide branded assets, marketing timelines and all information needed to promote your involvement.
• Festival-wide coordination handled by AC.
  We manage artist communication, scheduling, hospitality (if applicable), and day-of logistics unless otherwise noted.
• Consistent communication leading up to AC weekend.
  Our team will stay in touch with updates, final schedules and any details you need to prepare your space.

Venue responsibilities.
Participating venues are responsible for managing their space during the event, including:

• Providing a designated day-of contact
• Monitoring occupancy and guest flow
• Ensuring appropriate staffing and security for their space
• Maintaining standard operations and service
• Communicating any issues to AC staff during the event

Our goal is to keep the process easy for businesses while creating a seamless, high-quality festival experience for attendees across all downtown districts.

How Alternating Currents Programs Venues

Alternating Currents programs venues by pairing the right artists and creative experiences with the right downtown spaces across Davenport, Bettendorf and Rock Island. Because AC is a curated festival, programming is led entirely by festival staff to create a cohesive, high-quality and walkable festival experience.

Here’s how our programming process works:

1. We review your venue information from the application.
   Capacity, performance area, hours and basic technical capabilities help us determine what fits best.
2. Our team curates performers for your space.
   Artists are matched based on genre, production needs, audience flow and how your venue aligns with the festival’s footprint.
3. Programming is scheduled within a festival-wide grid.
   This helps us balance timing, distribute audiences and ensure a strong experience across districts.
4. We handle coordination and logistics.
   AC manages artist communication, scheduling, hospitality (if applicable) and day-of needs, keeping the process simple and turn-key for venues.
5. You receive finalized programming and promotional materials.
   We provide marketing assets, schedules and updates leading up to the festival so you’re fully prepared.

Our programming philosophy is rooted in showcasing downtown businesses as creative gathering places and ensuring every activation contributes to the energy, discovery and quality-of-place that define Alternating Currents.

Artist Fit & Venue Atmosphere

We always consider your venue’s atmosphere, layout and general preferences when matching artists to your space. At the same time, Alternating Currents is a discovery-driven festival; part of its value is introducing new audiences and creative experiences to downtown businesses.

We aim to strike a balance that feels authentic to your space while supporting a curated, diverse and dynamic festival footprint. Final programming decisions are made by AC staff to ensure a cohesive, high-quality experience across all districts.