Magic happens when artists come together to create. Whether it’s a film shoot, live performance, or art show, Peerspace aims to be there to accommodate your next masterpiece. Let your creativity bloom in one of the thousands of spaces available on the largest online marketplace for production and event venues. No matter your budget, you can make your performance art ideas come to life with Peerspace.
Think outside your garage or the local coffee shop, and book somewhere spectacular for your next project. You can rent a theater, loft, warehouse, or whatever fits your project for an hour at a time. There are filters that let you narrow your search to venues that have green screens, A/V equipment, and other amenities. If you are bold and want to make a statement with a live piece of performance art, we can help you find the ideal venue. Performance art is a powerful medium that creates an immersive experience for viewers
Often political, sometimes controversial and shocking, it often comes with a message. It can involve body art, costumes, props, or normal, everyday activities in strange places. Whether the goal of your performance art piece is to raise awareness about a particular cause or issue — or simply to make a statement — there are a few things you can do to make sure your display is a success. Here are eight performance art ideas that will grab your audience’s attention and leave them wanting to know more about your work.
1. Make it interactive and collaborative
If one of your performance art ideas is taking place out in public, invite passersby to contribute to your artwork in some way. Provide extra paint; have a fill-in-the-blank prompt or a question and some markers and paper; or ask permission to take photographs of people. Depending on what type of performance you are giving, there is a variety of ways you can allow people to collaborate. Think of it like a living community mural! People who participate are likely to take photos, equaling more exposure for your work.
2. Collect donations for a cause
If your art project is social change-oriented, consider raising money along with awareness. For example, if your art is about animal rights, donate any proceeds to wildlife conservation organizations or local animal shelters. You can even incorporate your donation collection bin into your artwork if you have constructed a sculpture of some sort. Think of it as similar to a street musician collecting cash in their guitar case, but keep in mind that it might not be obvious that you are accepting donations, so be sure to make proper signage saying as much.
3. Think of eco-friendly performance art ideas
Performance art can be messy and isn’t always the most environmentally friendly. Consider the earth when designing your piece. Avoid things like glitter, paints, and other non-biodegradable materials. Instead, use food, plants, costumes, and recyclable materials. That way, you have an easy cleanup job when you are done, and you won’t get into any trouble or slapped with any fines for littering. Your performance art ideas can easily be sustainable.
4. Choose a special date
Recognize a meaningful date with your performance piece. Plan to have the piece coincide with certain holidays or days of remembrance like Earth Day, Memorial Day, Election Day, Columbus Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, D-Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Harvey Milk Day, or International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Your local cultural center may be open to collaborating with you for the piece if it is associated with a major holiday and a particular community, which will in turn give you more exposure and support.
5. Be thoughtful about your choice of venue
Sometimes performance art ideas take on a meaning associated with the place where it is happening. Your performance art doesn’t have to only be done in a public space for unsuspecting passersby. You can make it an entire event, complete with a venue, and invite people to come watch. Your venue may even be a part of the performance itself, and not just a backdrop for it. No matter what you have planned, Peerspace can help you find the venue in which your wildest creative dreams can come alive. The platform is home to thousands of Insta-worthy spaces available for rent by the hour.
6. Give something to passersby
Leave your audience with a souvenir (even if it’s just your business card). If you can incorporate it into the performance by, for example, handing out flowers, then even better! Include your social media handles and website address on whatever you choose to hand out. It could be stickers, pins, small art prints, or even zines.
7. Host a public meal
Break bread with your community. Set up a table or lay down a picnic blanket and host a feast for strangers. This performance art idea can be adapted depending on which direction you want to take it. You can decorate with certain place settings, serve particular foods, and arrange things in specific ways depending on the goal of the piece.
This stunt would work particularly well on college campuses and in other high-traffic areas like parks in large cities. You can also send out invitations for the public feast performance, if that works for your project and your intentions. For the sake of saving time and ensuring food safety, make sure every food item in your display is store-bought and not easily perishable.
8. Wear a mirror everywhere you go
Find a cheap mirror or several small mirrors at Target or another department store, and make it portable so that you can carry it with you. The mirror itself can be the art, and it will change depending on what you are facing. This simple but versatile performance art idea can be adjusted for different purposes and is something you can do almost anytime, anywhere.
Creating performance art is a unique, deeply personal process that varies from artist to artist. While we cannot tell you exactly how to go about designing your performance, we do know that these eight performance art ideas can help get your creative wheels turning. Now go forth and put great art out into the world!
