lumen 2025: call for artist proposals
City of Waterloo is inviting artists to submit a proposal to be part of Lumen, Waterloo’s annual festival of light, art, and technology-based installations. Lumen will take place on September 20, 2025 from 6 -11 p.m. in spaces throughout uptown Waterloo. Installations will be placed in public spaces to animate the uptown core. All work will feature the interplay between light, art, and technology and should include an interactive, collaborative, or participatory component.
The festival will take place in 30 locations in uptown Waterloo over one evening, September 20, 2025 from 6 to 11 p.m.
Artists are invited to submit proposals for their installation to be placed in one or more locations in uptown Waterloo. Work can be site specific; however, that is not a requirement.
There are several locations that are available for site specific work. However, some restrictions do apply to meet safety compliance. Staff will work with selected artists to ensure these standards are met. These include, but are not limited to:
- Waterloo Park East
- Memorial Park (parkette on Erb St. between Albert St. and Caroline St.)
- Park behind Manulife Tower
- Visitor Information Centre – South facade
- Visitor Information Centre – covered seating area
- Waterloo Public Library - exterior only
- Waterloo City Hall - interior and exterior
All proposals must meet the following criteria:
- Installations will be inclusive, engaging, and showcase the interplay between light, art, and technology
- Successful applications will include an interactive component that allows participants to engage in discussion or engage directly with the art
- Proposals must consider the limitations of a one day festival including installation and removal of the artwork after the festival (storage is available, but is very limited)
- Outdoor installations must be weather resistant- in the event of bad weather, we will do our best to accommodate all artists, but cannot guarantee indoor spaces unless specified by the artist
- Installations and presented work must comply with safety and accessibility standards
- Artists must consider accessibility features of their artwork
- Artist(s) must be available to set-up, dismantle, or provide clear, concise, and simple instructions for staff to install projects
Schedule and Compensation:
- Funds will be dispersed in two installments (July and September)
- Festival showcase: Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 6 – 11 p.m.