This blog is about street performers who are struggling to make ends meet. In this blog, we will examine how local governments can assist street performers in their respective cities.
The term “street performer” can range from a musician on the subway to a mime, magician, or juggler. These individuals take their talents to the streets, hoping to make enough money to sustain themselves. Unfortunately, many of these performers have jobs after they perform and struggle to make ends meet.
Street performers are undervalued in our society today. People tend to view them as beggars instead of entertainers. I think it’s important that we change this perception by helping them out as much as possible.
If you would like more information about how local governments can assist street performers, please contact me at [email protected]
Street performers provide pedestrian and tourist traffic with a variety of entertainment such as live music, comedy, magic tricks and art. They promote local culture, diversity and community. Performers also contribute to the city’s economy: Business owners have reported that street performers increase their sales by attracting customers.
The Street Performer Program was established in 2003 by Vancouver City Council to help improve conditions for street performance. The program also provides permits for buskers, who are street performers who accept voluntary donations, and ensures safety guidelines are followed while they perform.
The program is free to join and open to all ages. Performers must be 19 years old or older to apply for a permit, which is valid for a year. Before joining the program, interested performers can send samples of their work to the Street Performer Program coordinator so that it can be reviewed by a panel of city staff.
The Street Performer Program has been successful in improving the conditions for performers in Vancouver. However, there are still many challenges facing these artists. As a student at UBC, I am interested in how local governments can better serve street performers in the 21st century.
As a street performer in the heart of downtown Edmonton, I get to see a lot of other street performers. And while I’m lucky enough to have a relatively popular spot (an outdoor mall), I’ve taken note that most performers struggle with their act. They don’t make much money, they’re not particularly entertaining and they’re just kind of there, like the guy who stands on Stephen Avenue in Calgary and spins his sign around all day.
This is the common stereotype of street performers – that we’re all homeless or hopeless people, trying to make a quick buck by singing badly or standing still. But it’s not true. In fact, many of us are highly skilled individuals who love what we do and are actively working towards building our audience and making ourselves known. We do this because we love it, but also because we know it can be lucrative if done right.
And yet, for all of this effort, local governments seem content to ignore us completely. We don’t have dedicated infrastructure like buskers in other cities – in Montreal there are certain spots marked out for performances on the street; some cities have an entire subway platform set aside for performers; in New Orleans you’ll find musicians playing in specially designated spots along Bourbon Street every night; and even here in
Street performers contribute to a thriving urban environment, but are often overlooked by local governments.
Street performers need a city-wide organization to help promote and protect their community.
Busking is a long tradition that has been enjoyed by people all over the world.
These performances contribute to the unique culture of a city, but also act as starting points for many performers’ careers or as supplemental income for those who are struggling financially.
In the past, street performers have been seen as nuisances or hooligans and have been pushed out of cities and towns. However, in recent years, many cities around the world have begun to recognize their importance and created organizations that assist buskers in finding suitable venues, creating safer spaces where they can perform, and providing better opportunities for funding.
The City of Cambridge (in Ontario) has developed an excellent model for assisting street performers through their “Cambridge Special Events Program”. This program provides free permits for performance locations throughout the city, ensures that performers are not performing anywhere that would distract drivers or pedestrians, and provides a small stipend to non-professional artists who do not make money from their performances.
As the days become warmer, street performers will soon make their way to the streets of Burlington. While there are a few regular performers, many others drop by for a day or two with their drum, flute, or guitar.
Street performers are not just entertainers; they also help attract visitors to Burlington’s downtown and waterfront. In fact, the economic impact of street performers is well-documented in numerous studies. An example of this can be found in a study released by the University of Waterloo that estimated the economic value of buskers at the Guelph Busker Carnival in Ontario. The study showed that on average, visitors spent $26 on top of their ticket price.
A study of street performers commissioned by the city council has found that performers in cities such as San Francisco and New York are required to obtain permits before performing, and that fines for performing without a permit are much higher than those in Los Angeles.
The study by the Santa Monica-based Rand Corp. also found that street performers in other cities must meet certain safety requirements, including having a fire extinguisher on hand and wearing certain kinds of clothing. Some cities also require a registration fee.
The study did not find specific examples of Los Angeles street performers being harassed by police or business owners. But it found that Los Angeles police officers had issued citations in the past to street performers, and some businesses have banned street performances outside their establishments.
“With regard to civic centers, city officials seem to be concerned about potential issues around health and safety,” said Michael Stoll, a co-director of the UCLA Center for Economic Development at the School of Public Affairs. “There is not very much in place for protecting performers from harassment.”
Los Angeles does not require street performers to get permits or register with the city, but Stoll said the city should consider requiring it.
Urban public spaces are often perceived as a poor utilization of space. What if they could be used to attract skilled performers and entertainers? Would this be more beneficial to a city’s residents? Could this add to the cultural experience of tourists?
Street performance, sometimes called busking, has been around for centuries. There is evidence that street performing and street musicians existed in ancient times. In fact, there are some who consider the first musicians to be the builders of Stonehenge. During the Middle Ages in Europe, minstrels would travel from town to town serenading people in the streets and performing poetry. Later on in the 1700s, street performers were banned due to a rise in religious fervor and concern over public safety. In fact, these bans are still seen in certain cities across the U.S., though many are starting to relax their restrictions.
Today street performance is becoming more popular with cities rather than being shunned like it once was. In fact, Boston recently created a Street Performers Program that allows performers to get licensed and perform in various locations across the city.
From a report by citylab: “The new initiative builds on an existing partnership between Boston’s Office of Arts & Culture and the Downtown Boston