Welcome Bass Coast 2023 Art Installation Artists

Bass Coast Festival is held on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people. Please take a moment to learn about the area. Bass Coast takes place on the shared Traditional Territories of Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx.

Ensure that your experience is both seamless and unforgettable by carefully reading this orientation welcome package in its entirety.

We invite you to be part of our innovative creative experience as we celebrate our 15th year. Our mission statement drives us forward, and our core values of respect, integrity, care, and accountability infuse every aspect of our team.

Bass Coast Festival is held in the city of Merritt in the Nicola Valley. Merritt is 270 km northeast of Vancouver. 

You can download the full directions to our Staff Gate and A Gate, where you will check in when you arrive on site, on our website: DIRECTIONS TO BASS COAST

Mandatory View: Bass Coast Training Videos

Bass Coast has produced 6 short training videos for all Bass Coast team members, artists and in-house participants. These videos will cover:

• The Land and River
• Harm Reduction
• Consent
• Harassment & Bystander Intervention
• Equity & Inclusion
• Incident Prevention

Please watch all 6 videos and complete the quiz before you arrive onsite.

Watch Here (Site password: AvantGarden)

Take Quiz Here

QR Codes

You will be sent a QR code to your email the week before the festival. Please make sure that each of your crew members are listed in your contract. They will each receive their own QR code which will be the festival entry and parking pass if assigned to them.

Where to enter the Festival : Staff Gate

The STAFF GATE - is located 1 km past Moon Shadows Campground at 1145 Neilson St, Merritt, BC. We ask that you drive slowly down the dirt road to reduce the dust for campground residents. 15km/hr max. 

Bring at least 1 piece of government issued photo ID. Our permit does not allow anyone under the age of 19 to attend the festival. No exceptions.

Please note you cannot gain access to the festival without a QR code. These can be printed or shown on a mobile phone. There will be no internet connection available to download tickets on site so please do so before arriving.

It’s best if the lead contact is the first person to arrive on-site.

Staff Gate Hours

• Wed, July 5: 9am-12am
• Thurs, July 6: 9am-12am
• Fri, July 7: 9am-1am
• Sat, July 8: 9am-10pm
• Sun, July 9: 9am-4pm
• Mon, July 10: CLOSED

All accreditation and your artist package will ONLY be available at the STAFF GATE

Arriving with GA Ticket Holders

General Admission ticket holders may arrive on site on Friday July 7 at 9:00 am at the earliest. No general admission ticket holders arriving before Friday will be permitted on site unless they have a Wednesday + Thursday or Thursday Entry ticket. NO exceptions.

Wednesday Entry tickets are still available on basscoast.ca.

If a GA ticket holder is sleeping in the same tent/vehicle as you then GA ticket holder can check in at A Gate.

Vehicle Passes

Artists have been allocated a specific number of vehicle passes as per the contract. The lead artist will receive the allocated vehicle pass(es) at Staff Gate.  If the lead artist does not arrive first, you must notify staffgate@basscoast.ca by June 30. If you have more than one vehicle pass assigned to your contract, please email staffgate@basscoast.ca to assign the vehicle pass to a specific team member.

Artists and their crew that do not arrive in the same vehicle or have multiple vehicles, will need to purchase a vehicle pass in advance to facilitate faster processing at the gate.  

PURCHASE A VEHICLE PASS

Next Steps

When you arrive 

• You will proceed through the Staff Gate to sign in and receive your wristband. 
• You will remain parked in Temp Parking Lot for now
• You will then be greeted at the entrance to the festival grounds by a member of the Art Installation Team  and shown to your gallery space. 
• After you have been shown to your gallery space, you can move your vehicle to set up camp in the Art Installation Camping area (or in Camp B or C if after Wednesday at 1pm)
• Artworks displayed in the field must be set up before 5pm on Wednesday, July 5th 
• Artworks displayed in the forest must be set up by 5pm on Thursday July 6th 
• The forest will be off limits to the public until Friday at 9am. All other locations open Thursday at 9am

If you have any questions about this please contact Cindy staffgate@basscoast.ca.

Parking 

If your art piece is in the forest you will be issued a temporary forest parking pass to drop off materials, then you can repark your car in the temp lot while you are working, but it must be moved before the expiration date to the art installation camping area.

If your art piece is in the field you will be issued a temporary parking pass to drop off materials, then you can repark your car in the temporary lot while you are working, but it must be moved before the expiration date to the art installation camping area.

Art Installation Camp

Art installation camping is located behind the Cantina Stage. Art Installation Camp is no more than a 5-minute walk away from your installation. As of Wed July 6 at 1pm anyone is welcome to move over to Campground B or C but there will be no access prior to that time. Please note we do not allow crew to camp beside their installations

Can I skip the line at Main Gate on Wednesday if I am an artist / in-house team / volunteer and already have my credentials?

No, there is no skip the line on Wednesday for any artist / in-house team.

Beginning Thursday at 11AM artists / in-house team are able to skip the line at Main Gate if they have already checked in at the Staff Gate and have all their credentials. Drive past the entrance to the Main Gate line up and turn left behind the Main Gate Office.  Security will stop and search vehicles and check credentials.

It is preferred to have all installation artists check in at the STAFF GATE and then make their way to the Main Gate to access Camp B & C.

Installation artists can enter through the Main Gate after Wednesday at 1pm and get a temporary wristband, HOWEVER all accreditation is handled at the Staff Gate. If you enter through the MAIN GATE you will need to check in again at the staff gate immediately after, as the temporary wristband will have an expiry time on it.

Camping with Friends

Campsite A, B, C and Ventura are closed until Wednesday at noon. Artists may join the entry line up at 1pm - not before. Please note it could take multiple hours to move through the line and set up camp. There is no 'skip the line’ for Artists on Wednesday - even with a wristband.

Thursday at Main Gate

Artists can skip the line after 11am if everyone in the vehicle already has a wristband. Drive past the entrance to the Main Gate line up and turn left behind the Main Gate office. Security will stop and search vehicles and check credentials.

Re-Entry

There is a  $20 re-entry fee per vehicle if you need to leave Bass Coast for supplies starting Friday July 7 at noon at all gates.

Payment

If your art installation received a grant, please pick it up on Monday July 11 before 5pm from the Staff Gate. Your site must be clean and approved by the Art Installation Managers in order to receive your payment.

**Leave no trace. Pack it in, Pack it out.

Art Installation team tickets

The deadline to submit your art installation team member names was June 15th at 12pm PDT. If due to exceptional circumstances, you were unable to meet the deadline, please contact Cindy at StaffGate@basscoast.ca and CC Grants@basscoast.ca, ProductionAssistant@basscoast.ca.

What Should I Bring / Festival Amenities

Reusable water bottles - Free water is available on site. Bring your own water bottle. Please do not bring glass of any kind. 

Food vendors - From July 6 - 10 there are healthy food vendors and bars open on site.

Appropriate shoes and clothing - The terrain and weather varies. Water or river shoes and waterproof clothing are recommended. 

Camping gear - headlamps / flashlights, sunscreen and bug spray. Prepare for all conditions. 

Camping -  It can be extremely windy. Please prepare your camp for high winds and ensure all tents are secured with rebar and loose items are securely fastened. 

Accessibility - Please read for updated information about Bass Coast accessibility ethos.

Fire ban - Please no fires, fireworks, open flames, or grills. Camp stoves are ok. 

Cash and credit - During festival days there will be ATMs available on-site. The bars, ice, showers and general store are cashless. Individual vendors may be cash or card. 

Showers - While there are 2 shower locations on site, all team members will have access to showers in Campground B. Locations available will be updated on site. Shower tokens details are included in your contract.

Checklist

• Headlamps / flashlights
• The terrain is a little uneven, bring appropriate shoes
• Water or river shoes are helpful
• Bankcard or cash (there are ATMS onsite)
• Don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray
• Fresh socks for every day
• Water bottle
• Coffee mug
• Plates and utensils (we have a washing station in food vending) 
• Warm clothes for night
• Chair for your camp
• Recycling system for your camp
• Bike if you are camping far from stages
• Snacks for camp

Shower price: 

• Team members: $5 
• General Admission: $9 

Show your wristband to the shower team to receive the reduced price. 

Please clean up after yourself and limit your showers to 5 minutes. It is costly to pump the tank.

Waste

Please plan to pack out what you pack in. If your installation generates any waste, you are expected to take it with you. You are not permitted to use our bins onsite for your installation waste, including waste from set-up and teardown. You are responsible for leaving no trace post festival. If you do not follow these guidelines we will withhold your art grant and you will not receive your payment until you either remove your waste from our bins or leave your site as you found it. Waste reduction is a key priority for Bass Coast, so we ask that you please upcycle as much material as you can and sort your materials correctly before you dispose of them offsite. You are expected to bring your own garbage and recycling bags, but please find a Green Team volunteer if you run out. Go to Sustainability - Leave no trace – Bass Coast Project for guidance on sorting materials.

Questions

If you have additional questions please ask Scott at grants@basscoast.ca . Due to the very high number of emails we receive, please be concise.

Festival safety is everyone’s responsibility, no matter what team you are on. Everyone on site plays a role in harm reduction, as we are all the eyes and ears of the festival. As you participate, please take care of yourself and each other. Remind people to take breaks, drink water and come pop by the Harm Reduction space for a break as needed. Check in with anyone looking confused, lost or unwell and remind them where Harm Reduction is located.  We will be offering support, harm reduction supplies and information all weekend.

Harm Reduction services are open to patrons and everyone involved in the festival. There is zero judgement if you come in needing supplies or to ground yourself in the Harm Reduction area. If someone is having non-medical distress such as anxiety, looking lost or upset, please walk them to Harm Reduction which is on the path to Slay Bay as you enter the forest (it’s a large space, you can’t miss it). 

Consent Culture

We are all responsible for promoting consent culture. Checking in on someone who looks uncomfortable is as easy as: “Hey! My name is Sam, and it’s my job to make sure everyone is feeling good all weekend. Are both of you alright? Can I help you with anything?” Don’t hesitate to involve security in helping address any creep vibes onsite.

Naloxone / Narcan FAQ

There are many team members and volunteers trained in administering Naloxone. We will not have formal training for additional teams onsite. There will be naloxone placed in strategic locations around the festival site that First Aid can administer if appropriate. Naloxone (Narcan) is for use with opioid overdoses only; fentanyl, heroin or codeine. In case of an overdose, First Aid will be on the scene within minutes. The best action to take is to open the patient's airway and assist them with rescue breathing if necessary. Getting rescue breaths into an opioid overdosing patient is the primary action to be taken. (See details below).

FIRST AID 101

If you see someone in need of medical attention, find someone with a radio immediately and have them call First Aid. Team members with radios are located at Camp A, B, C and Ventura outposts, harm reduction lifeguard chairs at the back of every dance floor, General Store, Volunteer Centre, bar managers or any of the festival gates. All security members have radios. First Aid teams will move quickly to help.

How to Call for First Aid and Manage Medical Distress

Ensure you provide First Aid with the three most important pieces of information they need: 

• Who you are 
• Where you are
• What is happening (keep it simple i.e. “I am with an unconscious patient”)

The First Aid l team will move quickly to help you, once you call for their assistance. The following are some basic steps that can help you while First Aid arrives at your location.

BASIC FIRST AID

ASSESS: Try to get a handle on the patient's condition. Breathing? Pulse? Somewhat responsive or unresponsive to pain stimulus (do not hesitate to apply a STRONG pain stimulus to an unconscious patient)? 

REPORT: Report the incident to First Aid: Who are you? Where are you? What has/is happening?

Open the AIRWAY.

Administer CPR if needed until medics arrive. Please do not administer any medications of any kind to the patient without notifying First Aid. If the patient is conscious and can instruct you to help them take life saving medications (eg. EpiPen) please do so and notify First Aid.

Fire Safety

If you see a fire:

1. Inform Security, First Aid or any team member with a radio.
2. Give Dispatch as much info as possible on location and what is burning.
3. FIGHT the fire ONLY if it is small and you are able to.
4. Evacuate all guests and patrons in immediate danger to a safe location. (200 ft away)
5. Help people requiring assistance
6. Proceed to a safe area and wait for the fire response team.

Bass Coast has a recovery and evacuation plan in place. Should the area require evacuation, our trained team members will give you instructions as to what to do should an event of this nature occur. 

Bass Coast takes place in a very dry climate and we need your help to prevent fires. Please dispose of any cigarettes in designated bins and encourage your community to do the same. Pocket ashtrays are available at the General Store. 

Lost and Found

Bass Coast Lost and Found is located next to the General Store. The Lost and Found station is for both team members and guests to inquire about any lost items, or to drop off any found items. The Lost and Found station will be manned during the day only from 10:00am - 5:30pm. The Lost and Found team cannot retain or store any large lost or found items.

• No pop up tents, if you use a tent it must be disguised
• No rental fencing
• No tarps, unless disguised
• Art that does not match the description provided in the application or offer, may be asked to be removed from the site and the grant revoked.
• We will not be providing you with any tools, lifts, ladders equipment or hardware unless discussed in advance

Power

The power team will set up main hubs in the forest and field.

Each installation is required to dig their own trench minimum 10 inches deep to that power hub and lay the power cords into the trench.

Do not cover the trench, only the power team is permitted to bury cables of any kind

You are responsible for making sure you have enough power cable to reach an outlet. Your installation may be 20-30 feet away from a plug-in point. Please ensure your power cords are suitable for exterior use.

Lighting, Tools and Upkeep

You are responsible for providing your own lighting for your installation at night. You are responsible for your own set-up and tear down and upkeep of your installation throughout the festival. Bass Coast will not provide any tools, lifts, ladders, extension cords, power bars or other equipment or hardware.

High Wind and Rain Action Plans

Bass Coast can sometimes be full-sun, torrential rain, thunderstorms, or high winds. You must ensure that your piece is properly anchored and can withstand high winds. Your piece must also be water-resistant.

The art exhibit areas are open and opulent playscapes. As such, no pop-up tents or unsightly tarps are allowed. Make sure your art is able to survive the elements without any clunky or plain looking weatherproofing interrupting the atmosphere. Be creative.

In the case of heavy rain , you are permitted to cover your artwork with a tarp for the duration of the storm. You must remove the tarp immediately after the rain has stopped.

Safety and Waiver

All art installations are required to be safe. If your art is going to be hung in the air or shackled to the ground, it must be secure. If your art is airborne, you may require a rigger on your team. If it is in the ground and could be a hazard by falling over or getting caught in the wind - use rebar stakes.

Once your artwork is installed on site, a safety check will be conducted. If there are safety issues we will ask you to address them. Bass Coast reserves the right to remove or take down without notice any art that is a safety concern.

All art installation teams assume liability for the safety of their installations. Once your artwork is installed and passes the safety check, Bass Coast will provide you with a waiver to sign.

Ground Protection

The festival grounds are prone to dust and all art installation teams are required to provide ground cover at their installations. At minimum Bass Coast accepts drop sheets. However, we encourage you to be creative and consider the ground cover as part of your installation.

Location of Art

The exhibit is curated by Liz Thomson, Bass Coast Co-Founder & Creative Director. Pieces are thoughtfully placed throughout the site at the forest, field, bridge, various buildings and entrance gates. We have reviewed your application and the specific technical and creative needs of your installation and will place your artwork based on the information you provided. If you have further specifications you would like to let us know, please list them.

You will be made aware of your general location in a forthcoming email. Once onsite you will be given your exact location, and you will be expected to place your art where directed.

Installation Period

Artists and crew can arrive on-site on Wednesday, July 5 at the earliest, unless you have confirmed other arrangements with us.

Any artworks being displayed in the field, must be completed and ready for a safety check before 5pm on Wednesday, July 5th.

All artworks being displayed in the forest,must be completed and ready for a safety check before 5pm Thursday, July 6th.

Facebook Group

We have set up a Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/712248900021683

For transport sharing, advice from alumni, weather tips and as a hub for conversations & knowledge. It’s a place to share resources and build community pre-show.

Sustainability

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

For more information and link please read https://basscoast.ca/pages/respect 

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.

Important Dates in 2023

Dec 15: Applications open

Feb 15: Final round of applications close

Mar 15: All successful applicants contacted

May 1: Art Installations description and bio for Bass Coast website deadline

July 5: Art Installations participants arrive on site

July 6: Installations must be completed by 11:59 PM

July 10: Art Installations must be removed by 5 PM