Reykjavík Winter Lights 2027: Public Interactive Light Art Call Offers ISK 1 Million Per Project
Reykjavík City issued an open competition on 21 October 2026 to commission light art for its Winter Lights Festival in 2027. The city will select up to two projects, with ISK 1,000,000 allocated to each. Applications close on 15 November 2026 at midnight according to the municipality's notice.
Who can apply and what the city wants
The municipal invitation welcomes artists, designers, music and lighting professionals, computer scientists, and other creative people working with light or electricity. The selection committee encourages original works and interactive installations that bring new life to Reykjavík's public spaces in the dark winter season.
Concepts must be viable outdoors in winter weather and show a coherent relationship with their proposed site. Applicants may propose locations or ask the city for guidance. The committee evaluates artistic merit, public-space impact, originality and the cost and feasibility of the installation.
Funding and submission format
Two selected projects will each receive ISK 1,000,000, but this is a combined production and artist-fee budget, not a fee paid on top of separately financed fabrication. Proposals must include visual references, a written concept and a cost estimate covering both production and the artist's remuneration.
Submissions should be provided as PDF files or equivalent digital presentations using WeTransfer or a comparable transfer service, addressed to vetrarhatid@reykjavik.is by the deadline.
Anonymous judging and timetable
Every project submission must use a six-digit identifier chosen by the applicants, while a separate file carrying that identifier contains the entrant's identity and contact details. The jury must not see the identity during evaluation. The city expects to announce results in late November 2026, and may decide not to select any project if entries are unsuitable.
Reykjavík has run Winter Lights since 2002, placing light installations in the city to celebrate winter. The official English call contains a date inconsistency in its festival-year timeline; artists should confirm the exact February 2027 display dates directly with the city, rather than relying on the copied 2026 year elsewhere on the page.
Official call and application
The organiser's published information was checked on 23 October 2026. Read the complete official rules and confirm all dates, fees, permissions and immigration conditions before applying.