RV Park for musicians, artist, and lovers of the arts?

If you're ever in Michigan, pull your RV into the Interlochen State Park, it's literally across the street from this place:

http://www.interlochen.org/

They always seem to have something going on.

There is a reason they call them "starving artists". It is an interesting concept, but I would doubt it would have wide appeal (read, be easy to fill).

Some kind of permanent burning man type place? I would definitely visit but there is not park or theme that would make be stay in one place.

Well, I think this could be a viable idea, depending on location. Imagine something like this on the northern California coast, for example. I recently saw a couple of distressed RV parks for sale near Ft. Bragg. And you would attract not only the artistic/musical folks -- you would attract people who like to listen to music, to buy arts and crafts, and so forth. There is a park in the redwoods -- Kamp Klamath -- where they have live music and a bbq every weekend, and it is a big draw (because the music and the food are both excellent).

The problem will be financing -- persuading a bank to fund a mortgage based on that business model. You'd have to find a bank that likes music, I guess.

You would have a chicken and the egg dilemma. Artists would want some kind of assurances that buyers will be there. Buyers generally don't flock from long distances to art fairs and festivals that are not well known. Musicians that have followings and are well known want to be paid. Can't very well afford to pay for very many well known acts unless you are reasonably sure there will be a payback. Most people who do art shows and music festivals don't travel in RVs. The RV parks benefit from those events, but the event is the draw and the RV park just gets a little extra wind in it's sails. For the venue to be a success, probably 90% of your business will have to come from non RVers. Music festivals and art shows also require the co-operation and assistance from the local government and police force. Finally, do RV parks and art fairs really have a lot in common? How are kids riding bikes and throwing Frisbees going to go over with the sculptors and painters? I am with another poster, going to be hard to make a good business case unless you have some very unusual contacts ( say Paul McCartney as a backer).

Are you talking about something like the Suwannee Music Park.? We spent a few days/nights there a while back. Lots of music.

Sounds like an interesting idea and I could see folks coming to visit to hear the music and see the works. But, my question would be how are you going to attract the musicians and artists on an ongoing basis?

To advertise it as a musician/artist's retreat, you will need to have musicians/artists there all the time. Each time you don't have a musician to play, someone will leave grumbling that it was a lousy trip.

It's a great idea, but you'll need to do a lot of fleshing out to create a workable business plan.

Here's another one, Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground in Morgantown, Indiana. (AKA Bean Blossom)

http://www.billmonroemusicpark.com/?page_id=140

And another down in Renfro Valley, KY.

http://www.renfrovalley.com/rv-park/

Maybe a visit to these places will give you an idea about how music and camping mix. Good Luck!

We stayed at an IN DNR park this weekend that had entertainment. I was talking with the manager and commented that it was very nice to have live music in the evening. He said he didn't have the budget for it but anyone who wanted to play a weekend could stay for free. Great idea I thought.

Get in touch with Roger "Hurricane" Wilson. I think he lives in the Metro Atlanta area and travels to parks up and down the east coast during the summer. He could certainly tell you what he looks for in an RV park that might put him up for the night if he "sang for his supper!" :D

For myself, I'd want to be your first camper!