Open Call
2027

Light Art &Installations

LUMENOCITY invites South African artists, designers, makers and creative practitioners to propose original light-based artworks and installations for its upcoming programme.

Start your application
Submissions close6 November 2026
Cape Town
1 to 4 April 2027
Company's Garden
Johannesburg
3 to 6 September 2027
Rose Gardens, Emmarentia
Submissions close
6 November 2026
01The Brief

We are looking for compelling, considered works that use light as an integral part of the artistic concept. Works that transform space, create atmosphere, tell stories, provoke curiosity or invite audiences to experience their surroundings differently.

This is not a call for decorative lighting.

We are specifically looking for artworks and installations where light forms a meaningful part of the concept, material, experience or interaction of the work.

02What we are looking for

Proposals may include

Immersive light installations Illuminated sculpture Projection-based work Interactive installations Kinetic work Digital or technology-led pieces Architectural interventions Experimental light works Multidisciplinary works incorporating light

Strong submissions demonstrate

  • A clear and original artistic concept.
  • A considered relationship between light, space and audience.
  • Strong visual impact, particularly after dark.
  • An understanding of how the work will exist within the LUMENOCITY environment.
  • Appropriate materials, construction and finishing.
  • Technical and practical feasibility.
  • A level of artistic and production quality suitable for public presentation.

Existing works are welcome where appropriate, provided they meet the requirements of the programme.

03What this call is not for

LUMENOCITY is seeking light-based art rather than conventional decorative lighting.

Applications consisting primarily of standard lighting products, string lights, fairy lights or decorative lighting arrangements without a developed artistic concept will not be considered.

The presence of lighting alone does not make a proposal a light artwork. Applicants should demonstrate how light functions as part of the artistic language of the work.

04Artist & production support

A limited budget is available for selected projects.

Applicants should submit concepts that are realistic, achievable and appropriate to the available resources. The application should clearly indicate:

  • Estimated production cost.
  • Materials required.
  • Technical requirements.
  • Installation requirements.
  • Power requirements.
  • Any specialist equipment required.
  • Whether the work already exists or needs to be produced.

Final budgets and available support will be discussed with shortlisted or selected artists.

05Application requirements

Every application must include

  1. A clear description of the proposed artwork and its concept.
  2. A visual representation of the proposed work. This may include sketches, renders, drawings, mock-ups or photographs of an existing work.
  3. A description of how light is used within the artwork and why it is important to the concept.
  4. Proposed dimensions and materials.
  5. Technical and power requirements.
  6. Installation requirements.
  7. An estimated production budget.
  8. A realistic production timeline.
  9. Examples of previous work demonstrating the applicant's ability to execute the proposed project.
  10. A short artist or designer biography and relevant portfolio links.

Applications that do not provide the required information will not progress to curatorial review.

06How works will be selected

Eligible applications are reviewed on

  • Artistic and conceptual strength.
  • Originality.
  • Quality of the proposed visual outcome.
  • Meaningful use of light as an artistic medium.
  • Relationship between the artwork, audience and surrounding environment.
  • Technical feasibility and safety.
  • Ability to withstand the conditions of the intended site where relevant.
  • Feasibility within the available budget and production timeline.
  • Evidence that the applicant has the ability to realise the proposed work to a professional standard.

Meeting the eligibility requirements allows an application to be considered but does not guarantee selection.

07Before you submit

Ask yourself

Is light fundamental to the idea, or has it simply been added to the object?

What will the audience experience when encountering this work at night?

Does the work offer something visually, conceptually or experientially unexpected?

Can the proposed work be produced and installed safely and professionally?

Does my application give the LUMENOCITY selection team enough information to confidently understand what the finished work will look like?

If the answer is yes, we would love to see your proposal.

08Apply

Your application

All fields marked * are required. Share visuals, drawings and previous work as links (Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, Vimeo, YouTube or your website). Please make sure links are viewable without a login. Your answers are saved in this browser as you type, so you can come back and finish later.

About youWho we will be speaking to.
Please enter your first name.
Please enter your surname.
If different from your own name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter a mobile number.
Please enter your city or town.
Please select your province.
Please add a short biography.
Add more than one link separated by commas.Please add at least one portfolio link.
The workRequirements 1 to 3.
Please give the work a title.
Does the work already exist? *
Please choose one.
Edition *
Please choose an edition.
A clear description of the proposed artwork and its concept.Please describe the artwork and concept.
How light is used within the artwork and why it is important to the concept.Please describe how light is used.
Sketches, renders, drawings, mock-ups or photographs of an existing work.Please add a link to your visuals.
Technical & productionRequirements 4 to 8.
Width, depth and height, plus the materials the work is made from.Please add dimensions and materials.
Equipment, control, power draw and any specialist equipment required.Please add technical and power requirements.
Footprint, fixing, rigging, ground conditions, access and time needed to install.Please add installation requirements.
Please add an estimated budget.
Please add a production timeline.
Optional breakdown or anything else we should know.
Previous workRequirement 9.
Examples demonstrating your ability to execute the proposed project.Please add examples of previous work.
Confirm
Please confirm.
Please confirm.
Submissions close 6 November 2026.

Application received

Thank you. Your application has been sent to the LUMENOCITY selection team.