Art Installation Application Package

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

Bass Coast takes place from July 11-14, 2025, in Merritt, BC on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people.

Since the inception of the Art Installation program in 2012, Bass Coast has awarded over $300,000 in funding, showcased more than 450 interactive art installations, and has seen over 1100 artists participate in the program. The program offers professional and emerging artists an internationally recognised exhibition space to showcase their work. Artists are invited to present interactive installations alongside their idols & peers with the support and mentorship of the Bass Coast team.

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

Please thoroughly read the application questions and package before submitting to ensure your art meets the criteria.

We’re seeking the following:

Innovative ideas & unique concepts
Installations that are interactive with the viewer
Projects that showcase unique lighting and design
Work that initiates profound conversation
Designs that create an environment that encourages viewers to gather
Teams that use sustainable building materials and methods
Structurally sound designs, built to the B.C. code
Art designed for outdoor use with high winds and rain potential
Art may be pre-existing or in the design phase when submitting your application
Evolution of an existing piece 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 that uses science and technology.
Lighting Design: Installations with advanced lighting design.
Flooring: Applications which include carpets, rugs, floors or mindfulness of how the piece is landing/framed in its environment.

INSTALLATION SUBMISSION EXPECTATIONS

Bass Coast 2025 Art Installation submissions will consist of 1 round.

ROUND 1: Nov 15, 2024 - Feb 1, 2025

Submissions will be reviewed Feb 1; successful applicants will be notified by March 15, 2025.

Radius Clause: Installations receiving a financial grant of over $1000 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 will be made if the other event is willing to match the funding amount from Bass Coast.

Arrival: Art Installations are located in 2 areas with different opening dates. Installations in the field must be set up by Wednesday night at 11 PM, and those in the forest by Thursday night at 11 PM. All art Installations must be removed by 5 PM on Monday post-show.

Safety: Art Installation teams are expected to ensure that their installation remains safe, secure, and functioning throughout the entirety of the festival. Bass Coast Festival is not liable for any damaged art installations.

Exhibit Locations: Bass Coast will decide on the location of art, and artists must comply with the location awarded to them.

INSTALLATION 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 the grant 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 2025

Feb 1: Applications close at 11:59 PM
Mar 15: All successful applicants contacted
July 9: Art Installation participants arrive on-site
July 9: Art Installations in the field complete and ready for safety inspection before 5 PM and completed by 11:00 PM
July 10: Art Installations in the forest complete and ready for safety inspection before 5 PM and completed by 11:00 PM
July 14: Art Installations 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:

PROGRAM CATERGORIES
Bass Coast provides partial support for Art Installations in the form of both financial funding and tickets with an equivalent value. Bass Coast does not intend to fund 100% of the costs associated with each installation. Art Installation tickets are provided as an equivalent value and artists are expected to use this value toward their artwork. If these terms are not acceptable, please do not apply.

Category 1: 2 Art Installation tickets, which have an equivalent value of $900.
Category 2: 2 Art Installation tickets (equivalent value $900) plus financial funding up to $1000.
Category 3: 2 Art Installation tickets (equivalent value $900) plus financial funding exceeding $1000.
Category 4: 2 Art Installation tickets (equivalent value $900) plus financial funding exceeding $3000.

Additional tickets may be allocated upon acceptance, subject to approval. A very limited number of extra team tickets may be available for individual purchase, which includes art installation accreditation, camping, and early entry.

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

If your installation requires more than two tickets, you will be asked to 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

All 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.

Art Installation 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 tickets 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 BC 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 Installations curation team, you may be obligated to secure coverage before the festival and list Bass Coast on that policy.

All Art Installation recipients may need to add Bass Coast to their liability insurance depending on the design. A minimum of at least 2 million in liability insurance per installation will be required.

INTERNATIONAL ART INSTALLATIONS
Installation 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 10 at 12 PM.

ENTRY & CAMPING
Art installation teams receive Wednesday and Thursday Early Entry, which includes General Admission camping or Art Installation camping (located on the festival side of the river). Please note that art teams are not allowed to camp beside their installations. Art Installation 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.

APPLY NOW

ART INSTALLATION APPLICATION