City waives busking fee for second year running
A fee for buskers in Hamilton has been waived for the second year running to “enliven the city” and support artists.
The City of Hamilton decided to waive the $30 annual fee to help alleviate the added financial strain on visual and performing artists brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jessica Astwood, the City of Hamilton’s marketing and communications director, said: “Every year the City of Hamilton hosts a busker programme, which aims to promote and engage local artists by ‘taking the arts to the people’, on the streets of Hamilton.
“Performance and visual arts zones have been created in specific public places to enliven the city, promote creative expression and expose members of the public to Bermuda’s local talent in free, outdoor public venues.
“Typically, we require an annual $30 application fee for busking within the city, but we have decided to waive the fee this year, as we did in 2021, as we appreciate the added financial pressure that the pandemic has placed on our community and, in particular, on our artists and entertainers.”
All participants of the busker programme must be registered with the City of Hamilton, which will provide permits to local artists. Visual artists may exhibit and sell their work in the visual arts zones, while performing artists may showcase their talents in the performance zones.
Nellie’s Walk
In front of City Hall [Performance Zone].
Wesley Square
The south-west corner of the City Hall car park, [Visual Arts Zone].
Queen Elizabeth Park
Inside the main gates of the park [Performance Zone].
Dr E F Gordon Square
On the corner of Court and Dundonald Street [Performance and Visual Arts Zone].
Waterfront Square
On Front Street between the Bermuda Tourism Visitor's Centre and the Ferry Terminal [Performance and Visual Arts Zone].
In the case of rain, artists may relocate to the portico at the front steps of City Hall. These designated spaces are the only areas authorised by the City of Hamilton for busking.
Ms Astwood added: “This programme presents a unique opportunity for Bermudian artists to be seen and heard live in public space, to receive funds from the public for their performance or works and to promote themselves and their artistic works right in the centre of the city.”
To apply to take part in the busker programme or for more information, visit: https://hamilton.rja.revize.com/forms/875
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