City of Bloomington Black y Brown Arts Festival rescheduled, still accepting artist applications

BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington Black y Brown Arts Festival (BBBAF) has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 18 at Bryan Park to place in collaboration with Fiesta del Otoño, the fall festival that is part of the National Hispanic Heritage Month observance in Bloomington. 

Fiesta del Otoño will begin at 10 a.m. and the BBBAF, at 2 p.m.  BBBAF is a free, family-friendly event featuring a visual arts exhibition, performance showcase, and food trucks.

Now in its third year, the celebration seeks to raise and expand art appreciation, create space that affirms persons of color in the community, and enhance Bloomington’s spirit of inclusion.  The BBBAF was originally scheduled to take place Sunday, August 8 at Switchyard Park.   

Visual, literary, and performing artists who identify as African, African-American, Hispanic, Latinx, and Native American are encouraged to apply for participation in the festival by exhibiting works of visual art or craft, or performing dance, music, spoken word, or another art form.  Participating artists will be permitted to sell their artworks or associated merchandise at the event. 

Artists may apply for participation at bloomington.in.gov/byb, where they will be asked to submit an image or recording of their work along with a biography and headshot.  Submissions are due Monday, September 6 at 5:30 p.m.  There is a $15.00 non-refundable application fee to reserve space, with scholarships available.  

The festival is supported by the City of Bloomington’s Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs and Safe and Civil City Program (part of the Community and Family Resources Department) along with the Bloomington Arts Commission and City departments of Economic and Sustainable Development and Parks and Recreation.