2026 SWISH Live Performances Call Out:
Local musicians and performers wanted for downtown activations during the 2026 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®
Application: Apply online using this form.
Submission Deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Performance Fees: All performers will be paid at competitive rates based on group size and length of performance.
Project Description
The NCAA® Men’s Final Four® Local Host Committee, in partnership with Indiana Sports Corp, Indy Arts Council, GANGGANG, and Forty5, is seeking central Indiana-based musicians, spoken word poets, dancers, actors, and other performers to help activate downtown with pop-up live performances during the tournament across multiple venues between April 3-6, 2026.
This program began in 2021 as part of SWISH, the arts and culture festival associated with Indianapolis’ hosting of the NCAA basketball championship series, and SWISH will continue in 2026 to highlight local creatives as part of the multi-day event.
About the Event
From April 3-6, 2026, Indianapolis will host the largest celebration of college basketball in history, welcoming not only the 2026 NCAA® Men’s Final Four® for the ninth time but also the Division II Championship, Division III Championship, and the NIT Championship. This unprecedented convergence of national title events will bring teams, fans, media, and visitors from across the country together for a week-long celebration of the sport.
As Indianapolis prepares for this historic lineup of championships, Downtown will be transformed into an energetic, walkable festival environment that showcases the city’s spirit of hospitality, innovation, and community pride. Fan experiences, public activations, and cultural programming will immerse visitors and residents in the excitement of championship basketball and celebrate our storied history as a top host city.
With support from local partners and funders, including key philanthropic contributors, the city will again highlight its vibrant cultural and artistic community by creating paid opportunities for visual artists, musicians, dancers, spoken word performers, and other creatives. Their work will help activate public spaces, engage visitors, and reflect Indy’s rich creative culture.
Project Details & How to Apply
ELIGIBILITY:
- All styles and forms of music, dance, and performance are welcome.
- Artists must be 18 years or older and able to provide an IRS W9 form and sign a contract.
- Artist collectives and organizations can also apply to curate a mini showcase of performers.
- All performances must either be original work, considered free of copyright protection as part of the public domain, or work for which the artist has secured the proper permissions from the copyright holder.
- Preference will be given to artists living or working in Marion or one of the surrounding counties.
LOCATION: Performance spaces are currently being confirmed. All stages will be temporary, and most will be outdoors. Locations may include Monument Circle and various other pop-up locations throughout downtown Indianapolis.
COMPENSATION: All performances are paid based on a scale that reflects a commitment to paying all artists a fair and competitive wage.
TIMELINE:
This project is on a very aggressive schedule; please review the dates below to ensure you can meet the timeline if you are selected!
- Applications open: Friday, December 19, 2025
- Application deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
- Notifications sent and performers contracted: no later than Saturday, February 28, 2026
- Performances: 60-minute performance slots will be scheduled between 12-6 p.m. April 3-6, 2026. A team of curators and producers will be working directly with artists to support and coordinate their participation.
CONDITIONS:
- Technical Information: All audio production equipment will be provided based on artist/bands needs. Equipment could include a full PA, mics, mic stands, necessary cables, and a soundboard (if applicable), as well as an audio engineer. Electricity will be available at most locations. Back line will not be available.
- Dance performances will be in public spaces such as on concrete sidewalks, brick sidewalks, city streets, and other urban environments that do not provide sprung surfaces. If a sprung surface is desired, dancers must bring it. There is no extra compensation for renting the desired surface.
- You may be photographed and/or filmed for promotional purposes, but your set will not be published in its entirety. If contracted, the artist agrees to provide a completed W9, technical requirements worksheet, performance agreement, and promotional content in a timely manner.
- Payment will be made available via check to performers post-set.
- Performances must be appropriate for all people and ages.
SELECTION PROCESS: Artists will be selected by the local host committee, including representatives from Indiana Sports Corp, Indy Arts Council, GANGGANG, and Forty5.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Artists will be chosen based on the quality and professionalism of their submission, and to create a diverse and robust schedule of events. Preference will be given to artists living or working in Marion or one of the surrounding counties.
MEDIA/PROMOTIONS: The performing schedule and participating artists will be promoted by the local host committee and partners at Downtown Indy Alliance, Visit Indy, Indiana Sports Corp, Indy Arts Council, GANGGANG, Forty5, and other partners through an arts and culture guide, earned media, social media, and event websites/calendars.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please complete this form and be prepared to provide a minimum of two of the following items via links (artists who do not submit performance recordings will not be considered):
- high-quality video of a live performance and/or
- audio recording
Submissions may include up to five (5) links of performance recordings on your website, YouTube, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, and/or any other site where videos or audio files of your work may be seen, experienced, and reviewed. If you do not have a website, please use an online storage service (Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, etc.) to share the links.
Additionally, please provide two artist/band-specific online platforms to be reviewed – these platforms can include:
- Social media handles (no personal accounts accepted)
- Official websites
- YouTube
- Soundcloud
- BandCamp
and/or any other site where videos, and/or audio files of your work may be reviewed.
Please keep in mind that all submissions must refrain from a high volume of profanity and/or sexually explicit material. Music/performance should be appropriate for all ages.
Please apply using this form no later than Sunday, February 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Submissions sent via email will not be considered.
QUESTIONS? Contact Kavita Mahoney, Vice President at the Indy Arts Council: kmahoney@indyarts.org, or Jenny Boyts, at Forty5 Presents: jenny.boyts@forty5.com.