We are looking for ambitious, high-quality ideas for two new light-based commissions to tour the North's most iconic light festivals! What's included: The Tour: Your work could light up Blackpool, Leeds, Lancaster, Barnsley, Wigan, Salford, or Oldham! From urban centres to waterfronts, we need adaptable, engaging ideas. SHINE is aimed at artists in the early stages of developing their practice and profile. We define an emerging artist as someone who may: We particularly welcome applications from artists currently underrepresented in the light art sector, including people of colour and artists who identify as d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent. Your artwork will need to be: Your proposal should: You should also consider: We are especially interested in work that: Please complete the online application form in the link below. The application form includes applicant info, contact details and a short summary of your idea (500 words max). You will also need to attach the following documents: A proposal document outlining: Completed project budget template. You will need to include all potential costs and there is a section at the end to add your estimated touring costs.Job Summary
Job Description
This is more than just a commission; it's a career-changing opportunity to develop your practice, create work at scale, gain experience of working in outdoor festival contexts and build your profile within the light art sector!
Commission Fee: Up to £15,000 (Fees & Fabrication)
Touring Costs: Up to £2,500 (Travel & Attendance)
Support: Mentoring, production guidance, and technical delivery.
- Be in the early years of presenting work publicly
- Have not yet received a commission of this scale
- Be developing their practice and ready to take on a more ambitious project
- Be transitioning into working with light as a primary medium
Be experimenting with light within a broader practice
- You do not need extensive experience in light art specifically. We are interested in strong ideas, creative potential, and your readiness to develop work with support.Job Requirements
-Outdoor-ready: suitable for winter conditions in the UK
-Robust: able to withstand weather, transport and multiple installations
-Tourable: adaptable across different festival locations
-Ambitious: mid to large-scale, with strong visual impact
-Use light as a central element of the work
-Be suitable for outdoor presentation in winter
-Be durable and tourable across multiple locations
-Consider how audiences will experience the work
-Demonstrate awareness of environmental sustainabilityJob Responsibilities
-Installation and de-rig requirements
-Power and technical needs
-Environmental impact and sustainability
-Creates a strong visual presence in public space
-Encourages interaction or participation
-Engages a wide audience, including families
-Has potential for reuse or future life beyond SHINEUseful Links
How to Apply
-Your artistic idea
-Visuals to support the idea
-How audiences will experience the work
Initial thoughts on materials, scale and location
-Completed project budget template. You will need to include all potential costs and there is a section at the end to add your estimated touring costs.