The artwork(s) will need to be:

• SUITABLE for exhibition at outdoor winter light festivals in the UK
• ARTISTICALLY challenging, interesting and of high quality
• STRUCTURALLY resilient enough to withstand the winter weather at multiple festivals between October 2024 and February 2025, and to withstand transportation across the festival network

For 2024, the successful commissions will also need to:

• FOCUS on environmental sustainability in their design and use sustainability best practice in their delivery.
• DESIGN artworks for reuse – consider the materials and equipment as well as what happens at the end of the exhibition. 
• CREATE artwork of mid / large scale – we are encouraging ambitious proposals
• DELIVER an experience for audiences to enjoy, be inspired by and engage with

As well as financial support, each artist will also receive a full induction to the programme, training and mentoring from across the LUTN network. We will work directly with commissioned artists to support their development, with guidance in areas such as marketing, finance, production, risk assessments method statements (RAMS) and fundraising. 

To be eligible to apply to the SHINE programme you must be UK-based and perceived as an emerging talent (aged 18 or over) with the ability to realise ideas to a high quality.

The deadline for submissions is Monday 29 April 2024, 9:00.

What can you create?

We are specifically looking for artists with ambitious, captivating ideas.  Proposals must be based on the creative use of light, possibly utilising digital technology.  The artwork needs to be weather-proof, able to withstand strong winds, be structurally sound (if applicable) and must be suitable for presenting outdoors at our varied locations and timescales.  We are interested in work which can cater for large audiences, especially projects with the potential for engagement in either the making or operation of the piece, and activities or events which are accessible to families.

The LUTN festivals where you may be exhibiting:

Lightpool Festival, Blackpool : 18–26 October 2024

Light Night Leeds: 24–25 October 2024

Light Up Lancaster : 7–9 November 2024

Barnsley Bright Nights: 22-23 November 2024

Lightwaves (Quays Culture at Salford Quays): 5 – 8 December 2024

Illuminate Oldham: 21-22 February 2025

The festival programmes vary and themes for 2024 are broad.  You will not be expected to specifically address them. The locations of the festivals are also varied with urban, parkland, industrial and city settings.  You should consider the ideal type of location for your artwork.

Our festival activities generally take place in the evenings, for the dates/periods listed above. You must produce an artwork that can exhibit for this period of time and tour to some of the commissioning light festivals.  You will also need to consider your install / de-rig schedule.

Each festival will provide standard infrastructure support for your arriving artwork; however, all artists fees and artwork production costs must be factored into your commission award.

How we assess your application

A panel of LUTN partners involved with curating SHINE 2024 will assess all applications.  We aim to ensure the selected commissions will be high-quality work and afford the best experience for artists, audience members and locations.  They will assess the applications based on 5 areas:

• Artistic quality – the strength & quality of the idea and the artist’s previous work (if applicable).
• Public experience– who it is aimed at and how will the public engage with it?
• Financial viability – can all elements of the activity be delivered effectively within budget?
• Project management – can the piece be created within the time available?  Is the work durable enough for the festival dates? What materials are you using when considering the environmental impact and outdoor display?
• Environmental sustainability – has this been considered in the design and proposed delivery of the artwork?  Is there a plan for what happens after SHINE?

When will you find out?

The deadline for submissions is Monday 29 April 2024, 9:00.  We will shortlist in the 2 weeks following, with provisional interview dates during w/c Monday 6 May 2024.