VISUAL ARTIST EXHIBITOR INFO

Please see our detailed Exhibitor Guidelines in the Artists Gallery section.

FEATURED MUSICIANS

VENUE - The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) is a private community arts venue, funded by arts activities and private donations. We are not funded from public tax revenues, municipal funding or federal grants. TCAN is an IRS approved 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and as such must comply with state and federal requirements governing such organizations. Programming decisions for feature events are made by TCAN's staff based on artistic quality, cost and public interest.

TCAN seeks musical acts of all genres to play our main stage. Our seating capacity is 280 per show - professional audio system and microphones, stage lighting system and sound engineer are provided. The sale of CDs and other promotional merchandise is permitted with tables available, subject to venue commission. Volunteers are provided to staff merchandise table. Seating is flexible to support smaller audiences with a dance area. Featured performers are presented at several time slots each week, based on artist availability. Shows are all-ages and generally 2-3 hours in length, with bookings usually arranged 5-15 months in advance of performance.

LOAD-IN/SOUND CHECK - Load-in time is no later than 2 hours prior to performance. Sound check is no later than 90 minutes prior to performance. Doors open no later than 30 minutes prior to performance. Early load-in and sound check is based on availability of the performance space and must be approved by venue director.

PROMOTION - TCAN cannot guarantee you an audience. Artists are responsible for promotion to maximize attendance at their event. TCAN supports your efforts by distributing a seasonal mailer to 15,000 homes, listing the event on our website calendar, promoting the event in our weekly email newsletter and providing calendar listings to local media. You are primarily responsible for publicity and promotion. All performers are requested to provide publicity information FIVE MONTHS PRIOR TO EVENT including two high-resolution professionally photographed promotional images, 300dpi minimum, no exceptions. A sixty-word description should also be provided to TCAN. A list of local press contacts is available upon request.

Featured bands and musicians scheduled for Friday/Saturday are expected to draw an audience of 150 or more.  Our experience is that artists without professional websites, email lists, good promotional photos, a good CD recording and/or a resume of successful local performances are not yet prepared to perform in a 280-seat concert venue. If you fall in this category, we invite and encourage you to perform at any of TCAN's open mike events.

TCAN will use your press kit to provide additional promotion via weekly newspaper ads and create featured placement on its website and Program Guide calendars. Acts booked at The Center should not schedule local dates (50-mile radius) within 60 days of their TCAN performance without approval of the appropriate TCAN booking authority.

OPENERS - Acts still developing an audience following may be considered as openers for featured musicians or presented in showcase performances with other acts. Opener and showcase slots may be unpaid. All musicians are invited to participate in open mic performances (see details below).

If you are interested in performing at TCAN, please submit a press kit/CD with suggested dates, proposed ticket price and terms to:

The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN)
14 Summer Street
Natick, MA  01760
ATTN: Bookings Request

ROCK OFF MAIN STREET

Bands and musicians ages 15-24 are invited to perform at TCAN's ROCK OFF MAIN STREET program where local musicians are featured on the main stage. Bands receive audience exposure and the experience of performing for friends, family and fans in a first-class venue. Bands/musicians of all musical genres are invited and will be scheduled with complementary performers.

The bookings contact for Rock Off Main Street can be found on our MySpace page here. Each act/performer must submit a completed ROM Performance Agreement to receive a scheduled performance date. Bands may not extend invitations directly. No alcohol or drugs of any kind are permitted in TCAN. No violent dancing or moshing is permitted.

OPEN MIC PERFORMANCES

The public is invited to participate in all TCAN open mic programs including Jazz Jam, Folk/Acoustic, and Vox Pop. Participants are encouraged to arrive early with sheet music, musical instruments and any other required equipment. Program Directors request that all participants register for their performance by signing the performer list available at the café counter. Participants perform at the discretion of the Program Director, based on the night's schedule and number of performers.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Classical musicians and ensembles are invited to submit press kits and resumes to the Classical Music Committee for review. Address all material to The Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer Street, Natick, MA 01760 ATTN: Classical Music Committee.