Most people can agree that street performers add vibrance to a city and are, by and large, a positive addition to the typical street noise; rounding a corner and being met by music is significantly better than the sounds of traffic.
So how does a performer end up busking on a Vancouver street? Do they have to audition?
And the answer is, it depends.
In Vancouver, busking falls under three different jurisdictions: the City of Vancouver, TransLink, and Granville Island. Here's a breakdown of the process for each of those three areas.
Busking on the streets in Vancouver
You’re not required to audition or even prove you can play an instrument to receive a permit to busk in Vancouver.
In fact, there are certain areas where you don’t even require a permit to perform:
- Library Square, specifically the sidewalks along the 300-block West Georgia Street and 700-block Homer Street
- Queen Elizabeth Theatre, specifically the sidewalks along the 200-block West Georgia Street and 600-block Hamilton Street
- Science World, specifically the sidewalks along the West side of Quebec Street, the Seawall from Science World to Cambie Bridge, specifically: East and north sides of False Creek
- SkyTrain stations, specifically the sidewalks adjacent to the stations (unless refused by TransLink)
- Terry Fox Plaza, specifically the sidewalks along the 700- and 800-blocks Beatty Street
- Vancouver Art Gallery, specifically the sidewalks along the 800-block Robson Street
Permits start at $45.64 for four months and $135.44 for a year and applicants are only required to provide a description of their act and an ID. Otherwise, if they agree to the City's entertainment guidelines, they're good to go.
Unpermitted performers are also still required to follow the city’s entertainment guidelines, which prohibit groups larger than three people, the use of sharp or dangerous objects such as swords and fire, and performances by children under the age of 12 (kids under 16 must be accompanied by a parent).
In addition, buskers can’t perform for longer than 60 minutes, within 10 metres of the Gastown Steam Clock, on a block that already has two other performers, or use a microphone or any kind of voice amplification.
“We understand the interest in amplifying a variety of instruments and providing accompaniment to enhance performances,” says the City in its guidelines. “However, the City experiences a high number of complaints related to excessive noise.”
The City refers to people who live and work nearby to street performers as a “captive audience” and asks that buskers “temper and balance their activities” to respect them.
Only battery-powered amplification is only allowed for instruments that require it to be heard. For instance, acoustic guitars don’t qualify.
If neighbouring businesses or residents complain about the amplification level, buskers are required to lower the volume and move to a different location.
V.I.A. has reached out to the City to see if they have ever received complaints regarding buskers that don't involve volume.
Busking at transit stations in Vancouver
In order to perform in transit stations, you have to apply through the TransLink Busker Program’s annual open call. The process includes submitting a short video and bio listing past busking and performance experience to a panel of five people.
There are a lot more hoops to jump through but successful musicians are issued a year-long license and given the opportunity to perform at designated times at 10 of the busiest locations across the system.
In addition, they receive artist profiling and promotion which is not offered through the City of Vancouver’s program.
Given that vetting process, TransLink says they don't often receive complaints about the quality of performers.
"TransLink may occasionally receive complaints about buskers, but these are mainly due to the volume of the music being played," a spokesperson tells V.I.A. by email. "Customers can let SkyTrain Attendants know if they have issues with any of our buskers."
However, the spokesperson notes that TransLink only has jurisdiction over approved buskers on TransLink property, not other musicians on city property.
"Busker licenses may be revoked in circumstances where the musician fails to comply with the conditions of the busker agreement," they say.
Busking at Granville Island
As an artistic hub, Granville Island has a pretty involved busking system, with 11 outdoor locations (seven amplified and four acoustic) and eight indoors.
There’s a daily schedule from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with hour-long slots that performers can sign up for, assuming they're accepted into the program.
“Granville Island is proud of its reputation for supporting lively street culture and greatly values the diversity of entertainment that buskers provide in the public realm,” reads the 23-page buskers' handbook. “Artistic and cultural life is integral to Granville Island’s creative environment as it encourages performers to showcase their craft.”
In order to become a performer at Granville Island, one must be prepared to submit at least two videos of their act and be ready to perform at least 20 minutes of material for an adjudication panel at an in-person audition. The act cannot be “in the works” or “in rehearsal” according to the handbook and applicants may receive notes on their performance.
Unlike the City of Vancouver’s busking program, performers at Granville Island are permitted to use fire or dangerous props but they must provide proof of insurance and relevant permits ahead of their audition.
If accepted into the program, performers are expected to comply with a code of conduct with a three-strike enforcement system.
Licenses are valid for a year from May 1 to April 30 of the following year and start at $80 for solo acoustic acts.
