- Performer Applications (Open October 1 – November 15)
- Songwriting Applications (Open October 1 – December 1)
- Young Artist Showcase Applications (Open October 1 – January 15)
- Vendor Applications (Open September 1 – March 1)
PERFORMER APPLICATIONS
The Tucson Folk Festival is a free-to-the-public music festival that annually features over 150 performances and 450 musicians, including both volunteer performances and paid featured acts and headliners. Performers include local, regional and national acts featuring a large range of styles. Performers are selected by a blind juried process that relies primarily on recorded submissions. The selection committee is made up of 5 – 10 TKMA members, past festival performers, musicians, longtime music fans, sponsors, and TKMA Board Members. Well over 300 performers apply each year for a coveted stage spot at the Festival. Historically, about 60% of our performers are from the Greater Tucson area, 20% are from Arizona (outside of Tucson), and 20% are from out-of-state.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jerry Martin, Festival Performer Coordinator, jerrymmartin@mail.com
| October 1 | Application period opens. $10 Application Fee through October 31 (refunded for TKMA Members). |
| November 1 | Late application period opens. $30 Application Fee through November 15 (refunded for TKMA Members). |
| November 15 | Performer application period closes at 11:59 PM. No applications will be considered after this date. |
| December 15 | Application Fees refunded to TKMA Members on Paypal. TKMA Membership of primary applicant must current as of November 15. |
| January 1 | Performer selections and schedule announced. |
| January 15 | Performer deadline for confirmation back to TKMA. |
SONGWRITING COMPETITION
The Stefan George Memorial Songwriting Competition is a beloved part of the festival each year – a chance for established and emerging songwriters to share new insights, new songs inspired by the times, and play for an audience that is hanging on every lyric. Each year, dozens of entrants compete for a spot in the finalist showcase at the Tucson Folk Festival. The winner and runner-up of this showcase receives a coveted evening slot at the Saturday night festival.
To read about the history of the competition, watch videos from past winners, and see awards for this year, please visit this page.
| October 1 | Application period opens. Includes a $30 Application Fee (Non-refundable) |
| December 1 | Songwriter application period closes at 11:59 PM. No applications will be considered after this date. |
| February 5 | Songwriting Finalist selections announced |
| Friday April 4 | Songwriting Finals Concert on Plaza Stage |
| Saturday April 5 | Songwriting Winner and Runner-Up Perform on the Plaza Stage at the Festival |
YOUNG ARTIST APPLICATIONS
The Roger Mikulas Young Artist Showcase is an annual performance opportunity at the Tucson Folk Festival open to anyone 18 years or younger. A great opportunity for young, up-and-coming musicians, the showcase is a fun and welcoming environment that offers a chance to perform on a professional stage at a popular community event! The tradition is named in honor of Roger Mikulas, who was a strong supporter and one of the founders of the Young Artist Stage in 2006. Organized today by Board Member Ron Pandy, the showcase continues to showcase some of Tucson’s youngest and most promising musicians.
Questions? Please contact our Young Artist Showcase Coordinator Ron Pandy at RonPandy@gmail.com.
| October 1 | Application period opens |
| January 15 | Young Artist application period closes at 11:59 PM. Applications will be considered after this date for any slots not filled on a first come basis. |
| February 15 | Young Artist Showcase Artists Announced |
| April 5-6 | Young Artist Showcase on the Wildflower Stage during the Festival Weekend |
VENDOR APPLICATIONS
VENDOR-EXHIBITOR APPLICATIONS OPEN: August 1
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: March 1