Lumenocity Announces Open Call for South African Artists to Create Large-Scale Light Installations for Africa’s First Festival of Light

LUMENOCITY, the upcoming large-scale light art festival set to debut in Cape Town in April 2026, has officially launched an open call inviting South African artists, designers, technologists, and creative collectives to submit proposals for original light-based installations.

Taking place from 9 - 12 April 2026 in the historic Company’s Garden, LUMENOCITY will be the first light festival of its kind in Africa - presenting large-scale immersive artworks, projection-mapped facades, interactive light sculptures, and sensory environments created exclusively by local talent.

Artists working across digital art, sculpture, architecture, projection, coding, new media, sound design, interactive technology, and multidisciplinary practices are encouraged to apply.

“Lumenocity is a platform to showcase South Africa’s extraordinary creative talent on an international stage,” says Gareth Hadden, Founder and Creative Producer of the festival. “We are inviting artists to respond boldly to the medium of light - to explore its emotional, cultural, and imaginative potential, and to create works that can ignite wonder for audiences of all ages.”

The festival’s curatorial approach centers on immersive, interactive, and publicly accessible light-based artworks that engage audiences through movement, play, and sensory experience. Artists are invited to submit concepts that explore themes including (but not limited to):

  • Light and storytelling
  • Light and the natural environment
  • Light and community
  • Light as sculpture or architecture
  • Interactive or responsive light systems
  • Experimental uses of illumination

Submissions should include a concept statement, sketches or visual references, technical requirements, artist biography, and links to previous work. Selected artists will receive production support, installation infrastructure, and the opportunity to exhibit their work at a landmark event expected to attract both local and international attention.

The call is open to emerging, mid-career, and established South African artists, as well as multidisciplinary teams and collaboration partners.

Artists can submit proposals via: artists@lumenocity.africa or go to www.lumenocity.africa/submissions

Deadline for submissions Tuesday, January 20th, 2026.

LUMENOCITY - The Art of Light is Africa’s first festival dedicated to large-scale light-based art, presenting immersive installations, interactive works, and projection mapping by South African artists within Cape Town’s historic Company’s Garden.