New Provincetown Business Guild initiative supports businesses and uplifts local artist community
Program information session to take place February 26
PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (February 15, 2023) – The Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) has announced the launch of the Carnival Parade Artists Matchmaking Program for this year’s Carnival Parade, August 17, 2023. In 2022 the PBG piloted a new initiative to pair Provincetown artists with local businesses to create floats for the annual Carnival Parade.
“We were looking for a way to inspire creativity for the businesses participating in the Carnival Parade, especially for the first parade in three years,” says Trevor Pittinger, Associate Director of the PBG. “Producing a float for Carnival takes a lot of time, energy, and resources, things that are not always easy for Ptown businesses to come by. This program made perfect sense to involve and engage Provincetown artists, pay them for their work, and help ensure the creativity of the parade truly represents Ptown as the oldest continuously running artist colony.”
The pilot program was a great success, with five sponsored floats created last year from partnerships between businesses and local artists for Bay State Cruise Lines, Linchris Hospitality, and The Crown & Anchor.
“I was overjoyed when the PBG brought this up last year,” says Mike Glasfeld, owner of Bay State Cruise Company. “I feel strongly about supporting the arts and artists community in Ptown, especially as the town becomes more gentrified and certain resources are no longer accessible to artists. Plus, to make this mode of artist community support so visible and to connect it to the business community is incredibly smart.”
“People were blown away by the inclusion of so much art in last year’s parade,” said Stephan Hengst, executive director of the Provincetown Business Guild. “It felt like the Carnival parades of yesteryear, a floating, walking art gallery showcasing our amazing and talented community of artists.”
This year artists will assist businesses with creative visibility and interpretation of the 2023 Carnival theme, Land of Toys. Businesses that participate can choose from a self-propelled or a large float. Both levels come with carnival float concept and creation by an artist, registration, insurance, and audio/visual outfitting. More information about the program, including participation fees and deadlines, can be found at Ptown.org
The program officially launches on Sunday, February 26th, with an information session at The Commons from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Register for this free session via Eventbrite. Artists matched with businesses in 2022 will be in attendance to speak about their experience and answer questions. Although it’s not required, all interested artists and business owners are encouraged to attend and learn more about the program. For those not able to attend in person, a link will be shared upon their registration that will allow them to participate virtually.
For Calendar Editors
2023 Provincetown Carnival Parade Artist Matchmaking Program
Information Session
February 26, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The Provincetown Commons, 46 Bradford Street
Provincetown, MA 02657
Free, pre-registration requested
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About the Provincetown Business Guild
The Provincetown Business Guild is a nonprofit organization promoting and supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer business community in Provincetown, MA. The Guild is committed to improving the Provincetown community by advocating for the acceptance of diversity and tolerance through projects, programs, and education. The Guild welcomes residents and visitors to experience America’s first LGBTQ+ tourist destination. For more information about the Provincetown Business Guild, visit www.ptown.org and on Instagram @VisitPtown.
