The Center Camp Plaza is a dynamic convergence of theme camps, interactivity, and mythic mischief – the heart of the city.
At its center rises The Canopy: a bustling crossroads where the dust settles, and community intertwines. This is Black Rock City’s living room—a circular acre of shade where the city gathers for respite, connection, and shenanigans, before returning outward.
The best part? You make the magic.
The Center Camp Canopy represents the ultimate “easy on-ramp” to participation. You don’t need a theme camp, a massive budget, or a polished plan to bring your gift to the heart of the playa. Whether you’re a first-timer or a 20-year veteran, the Canopy is your sandbox. What makes the Canopy grand is your idea and your presence. The city center is waiting for you to participate, even if that means simply showing up and taking part in the moment.
Fill the Vessel (Collaborators & Artists)
Low Stakes. High Impact. The Canopy is a grand stage and intimate playground rolled into one. Under the Canopy, your creative ideas become a city-wide moment. You provide the spark; we provide the shade, the stage, and the support.
How do you want to play? We have the infrastructure across many areas under the Canopy; submit your interest to the Canopy team to get placement and support.
- Build Out an Alcove: Create the vibe! Submit to build out a mini immersive space and host a week-long event activity zone.
- The Art Gallery: Bring hangable art or small-scale installations to our intimate, curated gallery—a rare place on the playa where art gets a reprieve from the elements. Small sculptures are featured throughout the shaded structure. See this page for art installation details.
- Take the Stage: With two stages and aerial rigs, the Canopy welcomes everything from jazz bands and DJs to comedy, circus acts, storytelling, and aerial performance. Or, present your knowledge and thoughts in the Speaker Series program or on the Spoken Word Stage. See this page for a detailed look at the spaces and specs.
- Facilitate: Lead a workshop, host arts/crafts, skillshare, or games in one of several spaces under the canopy.
- Serve: Whether it’s a brewed delight, a yummy cocktail, or something else tasty, we have the Grand Central Bar and a new BYOCup space. bistro.
- Host a Spontaneous Pop-Up: Walk in with a deck of cards, a bottle of essential oils, or a tray of cookies. You are now an official event.
No infrastructure? No problem. We have a bar ready for your beverage service, a stage ready for your show or panel, and nooks ready for your conversation. You can register in advance to be on the official schedule, or just show up and start something beautiful.
Start where you are. Bring what you’ve got. Let it be enough.
Build the Vessel (Volunteer)
The Canopy comes to life through the collaborative efforts of nearly 200 volunteers. No experience is necessary! You can wield a hammer, support artists or collaborators, support the production team, or decorate the space. There’s a spot for all levels of skill, and all types of interest and experience.
Build/Strike Teams:
- Decor & Production: The hands-on visionaries who build the vessel: carpenters, painters, decorators, flag-unfurlers, and stage gear wranglers.
- Crew Care: This team takes care of the whole crew through hydration, snacks, and team-building fun and games.
- Guardians: The soulful stewards. Guardians hold the space with presence and care, ensuring the Canopy remains a safe haven for all.
- LNT: Leave No Trace! This team is the master of MOOP and the sorters of all kinds of items discarded and repurposed at both the Canopy and Camp.
- Scribes: Scribes are the record keepers of all that we do: they document, photograph, and manage all the information that makes the workflow possible.
Event- Week Teams:
- SWIFT (Shenanigans Wrangling & Instigation Facilitation Team): The “Yes, And” team. You help participants bring their weird ideas to life, facilitate surprise-and-delight moments, and even make a little of your own.
- Stage Crew: The heartbeat of the show: The MCs, stage managers, and skilled audio and lighting engineers who keep the performances flowing.
Or, Just Come Play!
Under The Canopy, your participation is central to the magic. Here, you’ll encounter a kaleidoscope of experiences, from morning meditations, crafting sessions, and afternoon adventures to theatre, music, and aerial performances, alcoves of interactivity, an art gallery, late-night shenanigans, rejuvenating refreshments, and everything in between. It’s the perfect place to begin (or completely reroute) your Black Rock City journey and fill your cups!
Questions?
Reach out to us at CenterCamp@BurningMan.org!