Licencee Information

Licensing for

• artists
• jugglers
• musicians
• food vendors

The Inner Harbour

The Causeway Day Market and the Ship Point Night Market give both locals and visitors the opportunity to share their craft in the heart of Victoria.  GVHA is in constant search of inspired Artists, Musicians, Jugglers and Food Vendors to develop an already renowned pedestrian market into an even greater arts and entertainment experience.

ARTISTS: Original, self-made artwork is permitted for show and/or sale.  Artists are encouraged to create their art while on the Causeway to display the creative process and skilled workmanship behind it. 

MUSICIANS: We welcome Monteverdi to Metallica so long as it’s kept unplugged. Individuals and ensembles are invited to apply to perform at the Causeway.  Busking venues are scattered all along the Inner Harbour available for two-hour sets.

JUGGLERS: Family-friendly performances have become a staple of the lower Causeway’s daily events.  Forty-five minute show slots are available at the centrally located world class Jugglers’ Pitch, which has built-in seating on the lower Causeway and great views from the Government Street wall.

FOOD VENDORS: When visitors to the Inner Harbour want to fully enjoy the entire Causeway experience, they need a quick and easy way to eat.  There are four designated venues for food vendors in the Inner Harbour.  Food Vendors Application Policy

SAFETY
The Commissionaires provide security during daily operations at the Causeway and the Ship Point Night Market.  The Inner Harbour is well monitored to insure that all of our licensees are free to conduct business in a safe environment.

Causeway Day Market 

GVHA reserves the lower Causeway in the Inner Harbour for 24 full-time visual artists, 24 full-time musicians and 9 full-time street performers and offers 1 full-time musician venue at both Fisherman's Wharf and the Wharf Street Pier. All full-time licensees are guaranteed venue availability between 10:00am and 11:00pm. Visual artists and vendors are provided with a permanent venue location, whereas performers collectively schedule their daily and weekly venue rotation.

The option for annual licensees to be on the Causeway seven days a week during designated hours is certainly available.  However, if a licensed artist or performer can only attend certain days of the week or is aware of days she or he may be absent; that position in the causeway becomes available to other artists/ performers with weekly licenses, on waitlist or by invitation.

Ship Point Night Market

The Ship Point Night Market offers a unique collection of art and music every Friday and Saturday night (except on the BC & Labour Day long weekends & weather permitting). From 7:00pm to 10:30pm GVHA prides itself in presenting a more diverse cross-section of the national – occasionally international – arts community.  We invite both local and visiting artists, musicians and performers to join the troupes on the busiest nights in the Inner Harbour.  Night Market licenses are issued on a weekend to weekend basis and no preference to seniority or locale is taken.

Set-up begins at 6:00pm; sales and performances begin at 7:00pm.  All displays, tents, tables, and other necessary equipment must be supplied by the participant.  GVHA strongly recommends that all participants bring their own lighting (100w) and 25 foot extension cord in order to stay visible during the later hours.

Plan ahead: completed registration forms and full payment must be received by GVHA one week prior to the desired weekend of attendance.

Harbour Days Market

The Ship Point Night Market expands into the Harbour Days Market and runs for 4 days and 3 nights on two of the busiest long weekends of the year; BC Day weekend (July 30 - August 2, 2010) and the Labour Day weekend (September 3 - 6, 2010).  The BC Day long weekend corresponds with the Victoria Symphony Splash which attracts thousands of locals and tourists. On the Labour Day long weekend, Classic Boats fill the harbour adding to the festivities. Throughout both weekends, vendor tents can be left up overnight with security provided. Set up begins at 5:00pm on Friday and takedown is Monday at 5:00pm.

Applications and Juries

In order to participate as a musician, juggler, or an artist at the Victoria Harbour Festival an application form must be completed and submitted to the GVHA with a brief curriculum vitae.  Artists are asked to provide a description, sample or images of the type of artwork wished to be displayed.  An outline of performance type, length and repertoire is required from all performing applicants; sample scripts or audio/video recordings may be included, but are purely optional.  A jury time will be scheduled upon the receipt and approval of a completed application.

Juries for annual license applicants are conducted by representatives appointed by Greater Victoria Harbour Authority to evaluate both the merit of the applicant and how he/she will fit into the established market atmosphere.

Application forms can be downloaded from the navigation bar on the left. Completed application forms should be returned to the Victoria Harbour Festival Coordinator or to the GVHA office.  

Causeway Licence Rates 2010/2011 Season

All prices include 5% GST. Please note above rates will change July 1st due to HST.

*Payment for annual licenses may be completed in 2 installments.

Victoria Harbour Festival and Night Market Enquiries:
Joseph Gonyeau
Coordinator, Victoria Harbour Festival
(250) 413-6828
jgonyeau@victoriaharbour.org