Legal/ non-Obnoxious- Places to paint

festivals, events, kid nights at restaurants, downtown, a public park...

Hi there, I'm very new at this but other day I was wondering about work at a farmers marker .... do you need to contact them first or can you just show up, set up table, chair and start to paint?
Thank yours

I'm wondering the same as Gracie. Does anyone know?

Farmers markets are run by someone. The vendors have to sign up and pay for seasonal space, usually. I would not just show up and paint. However, you could show up and ask the vendors who to contact.

I know in my area they make you apply for a booth before the season starts, they want you to commit to the whole thing or you can pay per day. Either way you still have to do the application and get approved. They want tax #'s (or social security #) and all your personal and business information. May need to be insured as well but that part I'm unsure of. I do know that a lot of the painter's here have tried the farmer's markets and art and craft booths and from what I read they weren't worth it...hope that helps.

Yeah, I've heard they're not worth it either. But ... if you're new and don't have weekend bookings, it may be a way to practice and build your business. Make a sign board, paint at a more relaxed pace, etc.

Then again, there may be some markets that are booming and you could have a good experience.

Farmers Markets charge for stalls or to set up, yes. And you need to contact them beforehand, although some will accept vendors who don't require a booth on the spot. Some markets are run by associations and you need to be a member to set-up.

I have experience working farmers markets. I had to a) submit an application and be approved, b) have adequate insurance, c) have my own setup in terms of booth, tables, etc., d) commit to be there each Friday for the summer (setting up and tearing down each one), and e) pay a percentage of my profits to the organizer. I had a great time!! I painted a bunch of faces, made a ton of new contacts, booked several subsequent parties from folks I met there and made enough to definitely make it worth my while every day I painted there. I enjoyed it so much that I booked my booth space again for this year. Very mellow atmosphere, but plenty of people to keep things busy... and I am in a small town, so I was mildly surprised by how busy I was, especially in comparison to paying a huge fee to paint inside at a mall this past December in a very big town, where I didn't do well. Not. At. All....   

craft fairs, flea markets, swap meets, most state fair grounds run events all year round. you can also hit up local bars and do body painting (uv) with a rave like feel. shannon and I just set one of these up at a local club here.

Michael, I would love to hear how that goes.

our first event will be valentines day

"my naughty valentine"
leather and lace black light party

It all depends on what the laws are you where you are from. It's always best to look up the local, busking and vending laws in your area.

Most street fairs have paid some kind of fee to be there so they charge their vendors for space, and don't look too kindly on even a stop and drop face painter filling in a crack. But just outside of it, on the side walk is fair game.

Farmers markets where i am don't charge musical buskers or face painters for a space, but the trade off is we have to work 'by donation'. If you are smart you can make this work and actually make some decent cash. Also you have to sign up for the entire year trading off with other painters per weekend. If you get a booking for a paid gig, you just email or call to cancel and another painter will take your place that day.

In BC you are allowed to busk in any park, it's a provincial law. buuuuuut, in my city the 'Parks Board' rules and ignores this law in favor of their own, and MAN to they enforce it! I get bugged more for being in a park then on a public side walk. Have to be careful busking too because they can an will confiscate your stuff! It's never happened to me, but it did happen to a balloon twister friend of mine. Message is clear, stay out of the parks. :/