Call For Art & Performance

Video edited by Isaiah Russell in collaboration with Mount Hood Community College.
Content courtesy of Steve Roberts.

Artists! we want you!

Why should you apply? PDXWLF offers a platform to showcase your art to a diverse audience, fostering connections with fellow artists and potential collaborators. Be part of reshaping our cityscape with your creativity, contributing to a mesmerizing display of light, color, and imagination.

This call is for individual artists, artist groups, and performers. One installation per application; multiple applications are ok. One designated contact per application. Artists from BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, artists with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply, even if they have not shown professionally in the past. 

The 2027 Festival is February 5 – 13, and the theme is In Other Words.

As in previous years, installations must include a lighting component and can take the form of light-based art, sculptures in windows, colorful and creative outdoor lighting, installations in your own yard or neighborhood, video projections, a performance that incorporates light, and more. All installations and performances must be family-friendly and suitable for a diverse audience. 

We encourage artists to find their own venue to show their installations. Light up your buildings, exteriors, houses, and yards. Find a local business that would like to showcase your work. Ask your neighbors to be involved and create a light community around your PDXWLF exhibition.

PDXWLF will work to match artists to available venues. In some cases, we may love your work but not be able to find an appropriate place for the installation. In that case, we encourage you to apply again next year.

We will place your art in either an indoor or an outdoor location. Indoor locations include pop-up sites in windows, storefronts, and empty retail spaces and can typically display slightly smaller pieces. Outdoor-suitable art may be placed at one of the outdoor anchor art locations or other venues. Please indicate on your application whether your piece is suitable for indoor or outdoor displays. Note that the weather can be severe in February, and if it is suitable for outdoor display, no coverage from the elements will be available.  

The Festival lasts nine days. When possible, we request that all art in pop-up locations be illuminated throughout the Festival. However, the outdoor art placed at anchor sites (World Trade Center, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and Electric Blocks) will only be illuminated on Fridays and Saturdays.

In some venues, artists must provide their own insurance policy.

The general call for art opens June 10 and closes 5 PM on August 28, 2026.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Chris Herring at[email protected] or Misty Post at [email protected].

Artists who need a venue

Do you have art that needs a venue? This application is for you! Click the green button!

Application deadline:
5 PM August 28, 2026

OPEN

Artists with Location

Do you have a confirmed location that wants to show your art? Great, click the pink button!

Application deadline:
5 PM August 28, 2026

OPEN
Video edited by Isaiah Russell in collaboration with Mount Hood Community College.
Content courtesy of Steve Roberts.

Performance

Application deadline: 5 PM August 28, 2026

OPEN

Frequently Asked Questions

Artwork is selected on a competitive basis, with light as a required central component. Proposals are evaluated on the quality of design, concept, and form, as well as feasibility and safety. We also consider the artist’s previous work, the vision for the installation, and how the piece fits with other selected works.

When placing installations, we take into account venue availability, logistical needs, and the quality and craftsmanship of the proposed work.

Yes. Competitive stipends between approximately $100 – $4,000 are available to assist artists with materials and supplies needed to create or bring artwork to PDXWLF.

If you are requesting a stipend, you must submit a budget detailing how the funds will be used. Clearly state the monetary amount you are requesting from PDXWLF. Your budget may include expenses such as transportation, materials, equipment rental, installation fees, insurance, accommodations, etc.

Please upload your budget to a file-sharing service (such as Dropbox or Google Drive) and include a direct link in your submission. Be sure to grant access to [email protected] and [email protected] so we can view your files.

Artists are responsible for installing and striking their artwork and should include all necessary equipment in their budget.

Performers will be paid a stipend for each performance.

We receive hundreds of submissions and carefully review each one to assess the strength of the proposal and determine the best fit for each venue. We consider how artworks will flow together and ask detailed questions about both the proposed installation and the artist. Artists will be notified on a rolling basis through October 30. 

Great! You should go to Art with Location!

We encourage artists to find their own venues! Please fill out this form: Art with Location. PDXWLF will be curating the location of artwork at all Festival venues. 

Yes, as long as there is a light component, we will consider 2D art. We are always looking for pieces that can go in windows, and it’s a bonus if they are double-sided.

No. Vending is not permitted at any official festival locations where we program artists or performers. While you may have your work available for sale online or elsewhere, on-site sales are not allowed.

If you secure and manage your own separate location outside of our programmed areas, you may handle sales there independently.

No. PDXWLF is a free public festival, and no cover charges are allowed during official festival hours (6–10 PM).

You may host other events at your venue, but free public access to the artwork must be maintained during festival hours.

Please contact Chris Herring at [email protected] or Misty Post at [email protected] before August 21st so the art team has time to respond.