Thank you for your interest in applying for the Bass Coast Interactive Art program.

Bass Coast takes place from July 13-10, 2026, in Merritt, BC on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people.

Since the inception of the Interactive Art program in 2012, Bass Coast has awarded over $350,000 in financial funding, showcased more than 500 artists, and welcomed more than 1,200 participants to the program. The program offers professional and emerging artists an internationally recognised exhibition platform for their work. With the support and mentorship of the Bass Coast team, artists are invited to present interactive installations alongside their idols and peers.

Exhibiting art outdoors in a festival environment comes with unique challenges. This application serves as a tool to help you prepare before you apply.

We’re seeking the following:

1. Innovative ideas and unique concepts
2. Installations that are interactive with the viewer
3. Projects that showcase distinctive lighting and design
4. Work that sparks meaningful conversation
5. Designs that create environments where viewers gather
6. Teams that use sustainable building materials and methods
7. Structurally sound designs, built to B.C. code
8. Art designed for outdoor use, able to withstand high winds and rain
9. Art that is pre-existing or in the design phase at the time of application
10. Evolution of an existing or returning piece to ensure a unique experience at Bass Coast
    

Applications exhibiting the following qualities have a higher potential for success.

• Increased Physical Size: Art that is larger than 6 feet high.
• Cause & Effect: Interactive art
• Lighting Design: Installations featuring advanced lighting design
• Flooring: Applications which include ground cover or mindfulness of how the piece is landing/framed in its environment. 

SUBMISSION EXPECTATIONS

Bass Coast 2026 Interactive Art submissions will consist of 1 round.

ROUND 1: Oct 15, 2025 - Jan 10, 2026

Submissions will be reviewed Jan 10, 2026; successful applicants will be notified by Feb 1, 2026.

Radius Clause: Installations receiving a financial funding of over $1,000 will be asked to sign a radius clause and cannot present the same project at any event within 500 km & 45 days on either side of the Bass Coast exhibition. Exceptions may be made if the other event matches Bass Coast’s funding amount.

Arrival: Interactive Art is located in two areas with different opening dates. Installations in the field must be set up by Wednesday at 11 PM, and installations in the forest by Thursday at 11 PM. All installations must be removed by 5 PM on Monday post-show.

Exhibit Locations: Bass Coast will determine the location of each installation, and artists must comply with the assigned location.

Safety: Interactive Art teams are responsible for ensuring their installation remains safe, secure, and functional throughout the entire festival. Bass Coast Festival is not liable for damaged installations.

BASIC STANDARDS

• No pop-up tents; if you use a tent, it must be disguised*
• No tarps, unless disguised*
• Blow-up pools & plastic seating must be disguised*
• No rental fencing
• Art must match the description provided, or event access and/or financial funding will be revoked
• Engineering stamps and liability insurance are required for all weight-bearing overhead structures

*If a tent, tarp, blow-up pool, and/or plastic seating is absolutely necessary, it must seamlessly integrate with the installation & not be visibly recognisable as a purchased product.

KEY DATES in 2026

Jan 10: Applications close at 11:59 PM
Feb 1:  All successful applicants contacted
July 8:  Interactive Art participants arrive on-site
July 8:  Interactive Art in the field complete and ready for safety inspection before 5 PM and completed by 11 PM
July 9:  Interactive Art in the forest complete and ready for safety inspection before 5 PM and completed by 11 PM
July 13:  Interactive Art must be removed by 5 PM

GENERAL INFORMATION
Bass Coast is a 19 plus event and photo ID is required to enter the festival site. This includes all presenters. No animals are permitted on-site before, during, or after the event.

ACCESSIBILITY
Please take a moment to read about our Accessibility services.

SUSTAINABILITY
All presenters must use environmentally friendly packaging products. We encourage all presenters to source products locally whenever possible.

Please take a moment to read our Sustainability Education Series.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Bass Coast is committed to fostering its safe and inclusive community. In order to do so, Bass Coast requires that its team, contributors, volunteers and attendees understand and agree to this Code of Conduct in relation to all activities regarding the Festival.

Please take a moment to read our Code of Conduct.

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
It is important for everyone to take responsibility for researching and educating themselves on this issue. When choosing your designs or wearing/selling items (including clothing, makeup, or stylings) for Bass Coast, consider the following questions:

• Does this hold traditional significance to a community or culture?
• Is this intended to express religious beliefs or political statements?
• Does this designate respect or status within that culture?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, or if there is uncertainty, reconsideration is encouraged.

Bass Coast’s harm reduction strategy includes a commitment to providing a culturally safe environment for the entire community. A culture of mutual respect is a fundamental part of the Bass Coast experience. Even if the intention behind using or sharing culturally significant designs or items is respectful, other community members may find it insensitive or upsetting.

To maintain a welcoming and comfortable environment for all festival attendees, we ask that participants avoid these designs and/or wearing/selling such items.

Please take a moment to read about our Cultural Respect ETHOS.

ETHOS
Please take a moment to read more about our ETHOS:

• Harm Reduction
• Cultural Respect
• Sustainability
• Towards Equity
• Harassment and Assault Policy with attention to Section 6.1

SUPPORT CATERGORIES

Interactive Art projects are supported through a combination of event access and financial contributions.

This support is intended to offset the costs of creating and presenting artworks. The program does not fund 100% of installation expenses. Artists are expected to use this support toward their project costs.

If these terms are not acceptable, please do not apply.

• Category 1: Event access for two (2) people (equivalent value $1,200)
• Category 2: Event access for two (2) people (equivalent value $1,200) + financial support up to $1,000
• Category 3: Event access for two (2) people (equivalent value $1,200) + financial support exceeding $1,000
• Category 4: Event access for two (2) people (equivalent value $1,200) + financial support exceeding $3,000

Additional event access may be allocated upon acceptance, subject to approval. A very limited number of extra team allocations may be available for individual purchase, which include Interactive Art accreditation, camping and early entry. Do not purchase through basscoast.ca, instead, a private purchase link will be sent in early June.

Final allocations will be confirmed upon contract signing. No further team members or event access can be added after this point.

If the installation requires access for more than two people, please provide the following:

• Specify the job duty per additional team member
• Provide a detailed explanation of why this role is essential for the installation

WEATHER
Bass Coast can be full sun, torrential rain, thunderstorms, or high winds. Your installation must be water-resistant, securely anchored, and able to withstand sustained rain, high winds, and gusts. Artists are responsible for ensuring both their work and themselves are prepared to handle these elements. The exhibit areas are open, opulent playscapes.

Artists will receive high wind warnings when conditions include a sustained wind of 70km/h or more and /or gusts up to 90 km/h or more. A sober member of your team must be available to respond at any point in the show. 

NOTE: We do not accept tarps and pop-up tents in the exhibit unless well disguised. In the case of heavy rain or storm conditions, you are permitted to cover your artwork with a tarp for the storm's duration. You must remove the tarp immediately after the rain has stopped.

Please consider the following when describing your rain and high wind plan: 

• Could rain damage or compromise the safety of this piece?
• Could any part of your installation act as a windsail?
• What is your plan to monitor and ensure the safety of your piece and the people around it in the event of high winds? 
• Who on your team will be responsible for responding to weather-related issues at any time during the event?

SAFETY

Installations are required to be safe. Remember, the exhibit is busy during the day and night.  

Consider the following: 

• Does your art have sharp corners or items that extrude at eye level? 
• Are there tripping hazards that may create an unsafe area for people in the dark?

The trees on-site are not to be used for any weight bearing rigging points. If your art is suspended in the air, it must be SECURED by its own uprights, not the trees. If your art is airborne, you may require a rigger on your team. All suspended elements must be pre-approved by our rigging team.

Interactive Art presenters and their team are responsible for mitigating all anticipated safety concerns before applying and or arriving on-site. If any unexpected safety concerns arise during setup or throughout the festival, immediately notify the Bass Coast curation team.

Once your artwork is installed on-site, a safety check will be conducted. If any safety issues are identified, you will be asked to address them. Bass Coast reserves the right to remove any art posing a safety risk, and financial funding and event access may be revoked.

ENGINEERING PAPERS
If your installation has more than one floor, large overhead components, or large moving parts, you must have an engineering stamp and carry liability insurance that lists Bass Coast Project Ltd. If you still need to get the papers, please note you will be required to obtain them if accepted to the exhibit. Please consult with a local engineer for an estimated cost. 

INSURANCE
All structures must be safe and built according to the B.C. Building Codes. An on-site safety inspection is mandatory for all installations. Large installations are required to have their own liability insurance. If you do not possess liability insurance, and it is determined to be necessary by our Art Curation team, you may be obligated to secure coverage before the festival and list Bass Coast on that policy.

All Interactive Art recipients may need to add Bass Coast to active liability insurance, depending on the design, with a minimum coverage of $2,000,000 Comprehensive General Liability. 

Additional Insureds: as specified in contract.
Bass Coast Site Address: 1000 Midday Valley Road, Merritt, BC V1K 1L4.

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
Artists may qualify for a work permit exemption letter for crossing the Canadian border. If your installation is currently located outside of Canada, please state its current location and any prior instances of border crossings associated with it. 

LIGHTING & TOOLS
Installation artists are responsible for the setup, tear down and upkeep of your installation throughout the festival. You must ensure your installation is illuminated for viewing at night. Bass Coast does not provide any lighting, tools, lifts, ladders, extension cords, power bars or other equipment or hardware.

Bass Coast has very limited access to heavy machinery. In special cases artists may request in advance assistance from the Bass Coast team to support them with bucket lifts, skid steers, tall ladders & lull (telehandler).

POWER
Power will be allocated on an individual basis depending on the needs of each installation. Main hubs will be set up in the forest and field. Each installation is required to dig their own trench minimum 10 inches deep to that power hub and lay your power cords into the trench.

Bass Coast does not provide power for tools during set-up, prior to main power hubs being turned on Thursday at 9am. If you require more power for set up than your own battery-powered tools, please make a note in your application. You are responsible for having enough power bar(s) and cable to reach an outlet. Installations may be 20’-50’ feet away from a power hub.

VEHICLES & PARKING
Vehicles used for installation may enter the forest area where the art will be installed for drop-off and pick-up purposes only. The forest is a small space and cannot accommodate excess vehicles for extended periods. Vehicles will not be permitted to enter the forest after Thur. July 9 at 12 PM.

ENTRY & CAMPING
Interactive Art teams receive Wednesday and Thursday Early Entry, which includes General Admission camping or Interactive Art camping (located on the festival side of the river). Please note that art teams are not allowed to camp beside their installations.  Interactive Art camping is no more than a 10-minute walk from your installation, but space is limited. Teams with more than two members may need to camp in General Admission if they wish to camp together.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Bass Coast is not responsible for any damage, theft, vandalism or any other incident regarding your installation, tools or property. You are completely responsible for your installation and property on-site.

Please take a moment to read our Liability Waiver.

COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Bass Coast Festival will continue to operate in accordance with provincial and local health guidelines and recommendations.