Talent call 2026

This is your opportunity to create light art for GLOW.

Are you a creative thinker, visualizer or maker who is not a professional light artist? Then this open call is for you. GLOW invites everyone to transform an inventive idea into a light artwork. Submit your proposal, realize it in collaboration with GLOW and present it from 7 through 14 November 2026 to hundreds of thousands of visitors along one of the GLOW routes. Please note that the call closes on 5 April 2026.

Who is this call for?
GLOW is a festival for all of us. In addition to showcasing established national and international light artists, GLOW is committed to providing a platform for inventive regional talent. The result of this new direction is light art from the region that is unique in the world and unmistakably authentic. This open call is aimed at residents of all ages from the Brainport region (see list below). Ideas are welcome from experienced makers across disciplines as well as from original thinkers, individuals or collaborations, local residents or associations. Experience with light art is not required. A strong conceptual and visual proposal is essential. Professional light artists are referred to a separate call, found here. There are therefore two open calls.

Theme: Connect
Connect is the moment something begins to pulse between people, between glances, words and silences. It creates space for movement, response, expression or attentive listening and reflection. At the same time, Connect refers to networks and systems that gain meaning only when they are linked together. It concerns the relationship between you and the light artwork, between city and region within a constantly evolving environment, and between old and new. We are seeking a submission that reflects Connect and in which connection becomes visible, tangible and experiential between residents and visitors, between light art and people, and between personal stories and shared collective experiences. All forms of light art are possible, including projections, installations or innovative forms that remain to be explored.

Practical information
No artist fee is available for the selected project. GLOW makes a production budget of €5,000–€10,000 available to make the work production-ready and feasible. If you have a strong idea but lack the tools or technical expertise to produce it yourself, we will connect you with the appropriate experts if your proposal is selected. The light artwork will be placed along one of the GLOW routes, wherever it can best be presented, in Eindhoven or in Best, Oirschot, Helmond, Veldhoven or Lieshout.

What to expect
When developing your project proposal, please take the following into account.

• Submissions will be assessed on originality, relevance to the theme Connect, suitability for GLOW, feasibility within the available budget and technical and practical viability.
• The three strongest submissions will be invited to pitch their concept to GLOW. If you are selected to present your idea, you will be notified before 15 April. Due to the high volume of submissions, we regret that we are unable to respond individually to all applicants. We will therefore only contact you if your proposal is selected. We thank everyone in advance for the time and energy invested in this open call.
• Following the pitches, one concept will be selected for realization. Meetings with the selected applicant will take place in the final two weeks of April and  we will confirm the location of your work.
• From the end of April onward, you will work towards realization of your idea, with 23 October as the delivery date to our production team. During this period we will provide guidance, schedule regular contact moments and create space for consultation. If production is outsourced to a professional partner, we will coordinate jointly.
• The GLOW production team will test the artwork during the first week of November to ensure it is ready for the festival from 7 through 14 November. During this period your availability is required.
• Your project will receive significant exposure through GLOW communication channels. We ask that you actively contribute to publicity efforts.
• Dismantling will take place on 15 and 16 November and your presence is expected.

Participate
We look forward to receiving your idea. Please complete the application form before 5 April 2026 to participate.