Press release
New Haven, CT – The Shops at Yale and the Whitney-Audubon Retail & Arts District invite local visual artists and musicians of all skill levels to submit their information for participation in free contests as well as paid opportunities for events and activations in downtown New Haven. For more information about each opportunity, including a link to the electronic submission form, visit theshopsatyale.com/callforartists2022.
Musicians
Instrumental Soloists
Join us in creating a vibrant and inviting downtown by filling the air with the sweet sounds of music. Paid outdoor performance opportunities are available during key weekends and holidays throughout the year for instrumental soloists. Musicians will be asked to provide their hourly rate on the “Call for Visual Artists & Musicians” form.
Bands
Music is a key component of every public event that we do. Paid outdoor performance opportunities are available during our biggest events of the year, as well as our Live Outdoor Music Series, from 12:30pm-3:30pm on Saturdays, July 23, 30 and August 6, 13, 20, 27 (rain dates are the following day). Bands will be asked to provide their hourly rate on the “Call for Visual Artists & Musicians” form.
Visual Artists
Window Art Contest
We are excited to announce the return of the 2nd Annual Window Art Stroll & Contest, taking place in downtown New Haven in May. The Shops at Yale and the Whitney-Audubon Retail & Arts District invite all professional and amateur artists, students, and artist groups of two to submit their proposal to paint a family-friendly, summer-themed window on May 7 (rain date May 8). The artwork will be painted directly on storefront windows and will be displayed for 3 weeks, from Saturday, May 7 to Monday, May 30, along with a name plate and contact information for each artist. Winners will be chosen via a people’s choice voting system for chances to win more than $1,000 in gift cards to local retailers and restaurants. In addition, participating artists will be invited to sell their personal artwork at the inaugural Spring Outdoor Art Sale on Saturdays, May 14 and 21 from 11am-3pm on Broadway Island in New Haven at 56 Broadway.
Mural Demonstrations
Selected artists will be hired for a mural demonstration, where they will paint a provided 4ft wide by 8ft tall wood mural (primed white) from 11am-3pm on Broadway Island in New Haven at 56 Broadway. The outdoor mural demonstrations are in conjunction with the Live Outdoor Music Series on Saturdays, July 23, 30 and August 6, 13, 20, 27 (rain dates are the following day). The murals should reflect the theme of "Historic New Haven", “A New Haven Icon or Landmark”, or "Future New Haven". The finished murals will be displayed in downtown storefronts with the artist’s contact information. Stipends of $400 per mural will be provided to each selected artist.
Chalk Art Contest
Come one, come all! The Shops at Yale invites all professional and amateur artists, students, and artist groups to participate in our 5th New Haven Chalk Art Festival, on Saturday, October 22 (rain date, October 23) from 12-4pm. This event is a contest open to the public, where artists compete for more than $2,500 in gift cards, creating a family-friendly 4ft by 4ft fall-themed chalk artwork on the sidewalk using washable chalk sticks. Artists will register to compete in one of the following age divisions: Teen (ages 13-17), Adult (ages 18+), or Adult Group (18+ *minimum of two artists). There is no entry fee, and free chalk, free snacks, and free parking will be provided to participants.