48 Blocks AC is about tapping into your creativity and trying something new. We encourage applicants to really think outside the box, get creative, and collaborate with other artists and community members!

Apply to create a projecT

What do we mean by “project”?

A project can be anything that can take place at an event hub during the event weekend. This includes music, dance and theatrical performance, interactive workshops and activities, yoga and other group activities, as well as temporary installations (like yarn-bombing), and celebrations of culture and heritage, among other things!

I’m in a band and we want to perform during 48 Blocks AC. Would this be a “project”?

Yes! When describing your project let us know about your band - how many members, what instruments do you play, what type of music do you perform, and how many sets would you like to do? The same applies to individual performers, as well as dance & theatrical performances.

We encourage you to consider ways to collaborate and make your project unique. instead of applying to just play a set with your band, you could apply along with a dancer who will create an interpretive dance while you play, or visual artists who will live paint inspired by your music. Think outside the box & take advantage of the opportunity to try something new!

Examples of great projects:

Visual artist Billy Joe Michel painted on a dress worn by singer Bakko as she performed.

Yoga classes and short workshops, like the class offered by Paige Vaccaro, founder of C.R.O.P.S. or the aerial yoga mini-workshops offered by LAAFA Yoga!

South Jersey Poets Collective’s “Bard on the Boards” set up local poets on the Boardwalk to compose personalized poems for participants.

Dancer Srna Klotz created interpretive dance pieces in response to live music by Across The Globe Music Group Band & Steve Kuzma. She even invited audience members to join the dancing!

Calligrapher Ping Liu demonstrated calligraphy techniques and created personalized calligraphy for attendees.

Unity’s Theatre Troupe performed improv, using audience prompts! Leading up to 48 Blocks AC Weekend, they invited the community to attend their improv classes and audition to be part of the performance team for the event.

Artist & dancer Jodee Clifford’s interactive dance-painting project. Trained dancers and attendees were invited to wear special paint shoes and dance on the canvas to create unique art!

Noyes Museum of Stockton University’s Korean Lantern project. 100s of lanterns designed by Atlantic City youth were installed in O’Donnell Memorial Park. They also held a workshop during the event weekend so attendees could design their own lantern!

South Jersey Poets Collective’s “Longest Poem” project. A large roll of paper was affixed to the Atlantic City Free Public Library, and volunteers engaged with passerby inviting them to write a poem or message, sharing their personal story of Atlantic City.

Photographer Janelee Marcial took photos of attendees, and asked them to write about their personal connection to Atlantic City. The photos were displayed along with the stories and attendees received a copy of their photo to keep.

These are just a few examples of the unique, engaging, interactive projects that work well during 48 Blocks AC weekend. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Apply to create a project

Still have questions? Email Zach!

All photos by Ruben Garcia, 2019.