We are launching ILLUMINE 2 – an ambitious commissioning opportunity for Black and People of Colour (POC) artists to create a bold new light artwork that will tour to festivals across the North of England.
ILLUMINE is a positive action programme that champions diverse artistic voices and responds to the under-representation of Black and POC artists within the light art sector. We believe that light festivals should reflect the richness and diversity of the communities they celebrate, and we’re looking for an artist or collective with a compelling creative vision to help shape the future of light art.
Application deadline: Friday 11 September 2026, 5pm
About the Opportunity
Our member festivals will come together to commission one artist or collective to create a striking new mid- to large-scale light artwork for the 2027–28 festival season. The finished commission will tour to multiple festivals across the network between October 2027 and February 2028, connecting with hundreds of thousands of audiences across the North.
This opportunity is open to Black and People of Colour (POC) artists with an established professional practice and a strong portfolio of work. Whether you’re already working with light or bringing your practice into the medium for the first time, ILLUMINE is designed to help you realise an ambitious new commission at scale.
If you haven’t worked with light before, don’t let that stop you. We will provide the technical expertise, creative production support and specialist guidance needed to help bring your vision to life.
More than a commission, ILLUMINE is an investment in artists whose perspectives, stories and creativity deserve to be seen on the biggest stages. Together, we want to create extraordinary experiences that inspire audiences while building a more representative and inclusive future for light art.