Organizer Information
Canary Wharf Group is the force behind Winter Lights, London’s premier light art festival. For over a decade, this award-winning event has transformed the iconic skyline and public spaces of Canary Wharf into an immersive outdoor gallery. The festival is renowned for bringing together world-class artists to showcase technical innovation and creative brilliance, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the estate during the winter months.
Title & Description
Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2027: 11th Edition Open Call – RE(IMAGINE).
For its 11th milestone edition, Canary Wharf is seeking mesmerising and innovative light installations that can redefine the urban landscape. The theme "RE(IMAGINE)" invites artists to challenge perceptions of light, space, and the city. The festival provides a high-profile platform for large-scale interventions, from kinetic sculptures and architectural projections to intimate, responsive digital works. Successful proposals will demonstrate a mastery of light as a medium and a clear vision for how their work will interact with the unique architecture and diverse audience of the Canary Wharf estate.
Categories
Architecture, Installation, Sculpture, Light Art, Digital Art, Kinetic Art, and Public Art.
Eligibility
- Open to International and domestic artists of all backgrounds and professional levels.
- Welcomes proposals from fine art, architecture, digital, and engineering-led practices.
- Works must be designed to withstand outdoor conditions in a high-traffic urban environment.
- No restrictions on nationality or age, though technical feasibility is a core selection criterion.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Exhibition: Showcase work at one of London’s most visited and high-profile light festivals.
- Visibility: Extensive media exposure and inclusion in a major city-wide marketing campaign.
- Production Support: Collaborative coordination with the Canary Wharf Arts & Events team to integrate work into the estate.
- Professional Networking: Opportunity to exhibit alongside leading global names in light and digital art.
Fees
- Application Fee: Free to apply.
- Entry Fee: None.
Application Requirements
- Request Pack: Interested artists must first email Arts+Events@canarywharf.com to receive the official proposal pack.
- Portfolio & CV: Detailing previous work and professional experience.
- Project Description: Outlining the concept, audience experience, and relation to the theme.
- Technical Documentation: Including a project sketch, cost estimation, and an outline of the structure’s engineering.
- Submission Method: Online via the process outlined in the requested pack.
How to Apply?
Artists must email the organizer to request the detailed application guidelines and proposal pack before submitting.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: May 13, 2026.
- Festival Period: January 19 – January 30, 2027.
Location
United Kingdom, Canary Wharf, London.
Additional Details
Proposals are evaluated on artistic impact, technical robustness, and the ability to engage a diverse public audience. Given the scale of the estate, artists should consider how their installations will function across different urban contexts, such as parks, plazas, or waterfronts.