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If you are an artist or performer working with a participating venue, most venues will administer the listing. Artists and performers should contact their venues to ensure the venue's participation in First Friday. (Venues & vendors can learn more about participating in the First Friday Art Walk [here.](/ffaw-venue))

If you are an artist without a venue, you have two options: 
1. You can reach out to venues directly to arrange a show. 
2. You can participate as a street artist. Information and guidelines for street artists can be found below. 

Are you an artist or performer wishing to participate in the next First Friday Art Walk?

The City identifies a “street artist” as a person who is creating artwork or selling their own original artwork. Works of art protected by the First Amendment and thus permitted to be sold by the artist without a permit in Portland include expressive items such as paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures. 

**What's the difference between a street artist and a street goods vendor?**
- A street artist can ONLY sell their own original artwork. A street goods vendor is not restricted to selling original artwork and can re-sell items purchased elsewhere. A street goods vendor is only allowed to sell at a festival or permitted event. A special license is required from the City's [Business Licensing Office](https://www.portlandmaine.gov/364/Business-Licensing).

**Do I need a permit or license?**
- No, unless you want to set up during a city-designated festival. Street artists are required to follow rules and regulations for public safety and ease of commerce.

**Can street artists set up anywhere?**
- No. There are places that are off-limits, and special rules apply during Farmers' Markets and at the Waterfront Marketplace. Please review the map from our [Street Guide](https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/a6a92c72-4692-4692-ab31-2016b77fcd97?cache=1800).

**What places are off-limits?**
- Any area that blocks vehicles or pedestrians from being able to move freely, jeopardizes safety, or otherwise inconveniences the public.
- City-designated festivals, sidewalks sales, Farmer’s Markets, or other city authorized festivals without permission of the festival organizer.
- Any area that blocks an entrance or exit from private property.
- Public school grounds without authorization as a school function.
- Any area that does not allow four feet of pedestrian passage behind your customers.
- Private property (need permission from property owner).

**What’s the four foot rule?**
- Make sure that when you are sitting at your table and you have a customer, you leave four feet of open space to allow pedestrians to move freely behind the customer.

**What about displays?**
- The footprint of the artist’s entire display, including rack, table, and chair, cannot be greater than 12 square feet (except at the Waterfront Marketplace, where they can be no greater than 25 square feet). All displays need to be free-standing. You cannot use benches, monuments, public structures, or private property to display artwork. No vending from blankets or the ground.

We have made the official rules by the City of Portland available [here](https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/bafbe7f4-f800-4bd1-9147-130bdb804c84?cache=1800).

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Street Artists

Performance art is also protected by the First Amendment, though a few additional regulations apply. The City of Portland requires any performer using amplification (for your voice, instrument, pre-recorded tracks, etc.) on public property to obtain a concert license. For performances during First Friday Art Walk, they also require the prior approval of Creative Portland, so please email info@creativeportland.com prior to submitting your paperwork to the city. 
 
Acoustic performers DO NOT require a permit. All performers, amplified or acoustic, must adhere to [Section 4-57](https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/a17c21a3-56a7-4ece-8fab-7c3c8c1bde31?cache=1800) of the city code and keep their sound below 95 decibels as measured 8 feet from the source of the sound. 

Fire performers are further regulated by the following safety provisions:

1. There will be a 25-foot buffer maintained between the performer and the audience and any combustible material. 
2. Only one person may perform at a time.
3. There will be at least two safety spotters at all times, each with a fire suppression blanket.
4. Performers may not wear clothing made of synthetic materials.
5. There will be at least one five gallon bucket of water and one fire extinguisher on scene at all times.
6. No one impaired by drugs or alcohol may perform.


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Performers

## PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS

If you wish to set up a table to distribute information during the First Friday Art Walk, you are afforded the same First Amendment protections as street artists and are bound by the same public safety regulations. We do ask that political and social activism groups honor the mission of First Friday to provide a low-barrier way for the public to engage with its arts community.
 
Still have questions? Email us at info@creativeportland.com for more information.

First Friday Art Walk: Artists and Performers

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