LUMENOCITY 2027: South African Digital and Interactive Light Artists Wanted by 6 November

A South African open call for ambitious light-based art

LUMENOCITY has opened applications for artists, designers, makers, studios and collectives from South Africa to propose original light-based artworks and installations for its 2027 public programme. The deadline is 6 November 2026. The programme has two planned presentations: 1–4 April 2027 in Company's Garden, Cape Town, and 3–6 September 2027 at the Rose Gardens in Emmarentia, Johannesburg. Artists can indicate an interest in either edition or both.

This is an opportunity for creative practitioners whose work treats light as a medium rather than merely a practical way of illuminating an object. The official brief seeks works capable of reshaping space and offering a compelling experience after dark. Artists with digital, projection, interactive or interdisciplinary practices may be suitable, provided their proposals make the role of light central to the concept and are technically feasible in a public setting.

Accepted approaches include projection, immersive and interactive art

The organisers explicitly list immersive light installations, illuminated sculpture, projection-based work, interactive installations, kinetic pieces, digital or technology-led artworks, architectural interventions and experimental uses of light. A project could combine several disciplines, but it still needs an articulate concept and a credible way for audiences to encounter it in a festival environment.

An artwork controlled through real-time software, for example, should explain how its digital processes create a meaningful experience rather than merely describing the use of code. A mapped projection should address the surfaces and infrastructure it would need. These are examples of project-planning considerations, not promises that LUMENOCITY will provide any particular projector, display, sensor, software licence or rigging system.

Who can apply? South African artists, studios and collectives

The call is expressly addressed to South African artists, designers, makers and creative practitioners. The submission form asks every applicant to confirm that they are a South African artist, designer or maker, or are applying for a South African studio or collective. Applicants must give their South African city or town and province. This is therefore a locally targeted call, not an unrestricted global competition accepting overseas proposals without a South African connection.

Both solo applicants and collectives may present an idea, and the form lets each applicant choose Cape Town, Johannesburg, or either or both. The public call does not publish a general age bracket, a specific minimum number of previous exhibitions or a fixed list of acceptable software. Applicants should not invent those conditions; their relevant experience is instead demonstrated through the previous-work examples and portfolio links requested.

Decorative lighting alone will not be considered

The official brief makes an important distinction: conventional decorative lighting is outside the purpose of this programme. Applications built mainly around standard lighting products, strings of lights, fairy lights or decorative arrangements without a developed artistic idea will not be considered. The presence of LEDs or illumination by itself does not turn a proposal into an eligible light artwork.

The curatorial team looks for an original artistic concept, a strong visual impact at night and a considered relationship between light, the audience and the space. An existing work may be submitted if it fits the requirements, while new works and adaptations are also contemplated by the application form. An artwork that already exists still needs a realistic plan for safe installation at its chosen venue.

Artist and production budgets: support is limited, not a fixed cash prize

LUMENOCITY says that a limited budget is available for selected projects, but it does not announce a single guaranteed grant amount or universal artist fee. Final budgets and the support available will be discussed with shortlisted or selected artists. It would be misleading to publish a particular cash award figure for every accepted proposal or to assume that all equipment expenses will be fully reimbursed.

Applications must set out the estimated cost of making or adapting the work, the materials required, specialist equipment, power demand and installation needs. The online budget field is denominated in South African rand (ZAR). An effective proposal distinguishes resources the artist already possesses from those that would have to be hired or fabricated; those distinctions are practical budgeting advice, not extra form fields.

The ten pieces of information every application needs

The organiser lists ten essential components: an artwork concept; a visual representation such as a sketch, render or photograph; an explanation of why light matters; proposed dimensions and materials; technical and power requirements; installation requirements; an estimated production budget; a realistic production timeline; examples of previous work; and a concise biography with relevant portfolio links. Incomplete applications will not progress to curatorial review.

The online form asks for personal contact details, city or town and province, an artist or collective name if relevant, a working title, whether the work is new, existing or adapted, the edition being applied for and a short project explanation. For technical information it also asks about equipment and control, power draw, installation footprint, fixing, rigging, ground conditions and installation time. That level of detail matters because these are artworks for public spaces rather than screen-only portfolios.

Visual links and evidence of past work must be accessible

Supporting images, renders, drawings, photographs, mock-ups and previous-work documentation should be supplied through accessible links. The form explicitly mentions Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer, Vimeo, YouTube and artists' websites. Organisers ask applicants to make sure links can be viewed without requiring a login, because blocked or expired material could prevent a proposal from being evaluated.

Applicants can present existing projects, adaptations or new concepts and should be truthful about what has already been built. For a projection artwork, it helps to document how the visual experience will function from a typical audience viewpoint; for kinetic or interactive artworks, the description should connect the interaction to the artistic premise and identify power and safety issues. These are editorial preparation tips, distinct from the organiser's required list.

How proposals are assessed for a public nighttime environment

Eligible applications are reviewed for artistic and conceptual strength, originality, visual quality, meaningful use of light, relationship to the audience and surroundings, technical feasibility and safety, weather resilience where relevant, budget and production practicality and evidence that the maker can realise the work professionally. Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee inclusion in either edition.

The outdoor settings make a realistic installation plan especially important. Artists should address whether an object can endure the environment, how it will be powered, whether access or anchoring creates hazards and what is needed to install and operate it. The programme has not stated that every work will be fully weatherproof, but it does expect applicants to demonstrate that their chosen technical solution is appropriate for the intended site.

Dates, official application and an important deadline detail

Applications close on 6 November 2026. The public page gives the calendar date but does not specify an exact closing hour, so do not assume submissions will remain open until 11:59pm. The first event is scheduled for 1–4 April 2027 in Company's Garden, Cape Town. The second is scheduled for 3–6 September 2027 in the Rose Gardens, Emmarentia, Johannesburg. The submission form allows applicants to select either or both locations.

Apply using the official form on https://lumenocity.art/ . That page also contains the complete creative brief, application requirements and evaluation criteria. The organisers advise supplying visuals and previous-work links that are viewable without authentication. This summary should be read alongside the current official call, particularly for any later changes to selection, available production support or event logistics.