YSU’s arts festival seeks participants

People are needed to assist with registrations, children’s activities and more.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Organizers of the Summer Festival of the Arts at Youngstown State University are looking for artists, performers and volunteers for the July 12 and 13 event.

The event is a collaboration between YSU and the local and regional arts communities. Area ethnic and cultural organizations also participate.

“The Summer Festival of the Arts has almost become a name brand, synonymous with a great summer-time activity designed for the entire family,” said Lori A. Factor, assistant director of the YSU Performing Arts Series.

The event draws thousands of people to YSU each year.

“We are encouraging our local artists to apply to the Artists’ Marketplace, the juried arts portion of the festival, because it makes good economic sense for them to sell their artwork at a show close to home. The application and booth fees are affordable so that an artist should be able to have a successful experience,” she said.

Last year’s show attracted more than 60 artists featuring a variety of artwork.

In addition to the fine arts area, bands and/or musicians are invited to apply for one of the eight available slots for performances at the Open Stage during the festival. Interested applicants will perform one 45-minute set in exchange for inclusion in the overall Summer Festival of the Arts print and Web performance schedule. Music must be suitable for an outdoor event where children and families will be close by, although the music need not be geared toward those audiences.

These performance times are dedicated to groups just starting out, and performers will not be paid. However, they will be permitted to sell CD’s.

Factor also noted that such a large event would be impossible without a strong corps of volunteers, who are needed for artist registration, information booths, the children’s hands-on art tent, technical assistance at performance sites and at the Festival of Nations international area, among others activities.

Various shifts are available for the two-day event. Each volunteer receives a festival tee shirt, cold water and reserved free parking.

Applications for artists, Open Stage performers and volunteers are all located at the Summer Festival Web site at www.ysu.edu/sfa or by calling (330) 941-2307.