Luminaria is a dynamic non-profit arts organization that produces San Antonio’s annual after-dark contemporary arts festival. Luminaria’s FREE 2019 arts festival is scheduled on Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 7PM to midnight in Hemisfair, with additional community programming and ticketed events throughout the holiday weekend. Luminaria invites artists, bands, performers, and all creative organizations to submit a proposal for this competitive showcase.

Stipend: $2,500 for larger projects, $500 for small projects; travel/lodging support possible, basic production costs covered by festival
Eligibility: Professional artists
Deadline: 03/15/2019 11:59 PM Central Time

Review the full Call for Proposals at the project website.

Mission Statement
Luminaria delivers an annual contemporary arts program that includes a festival of international stature; supports downtown development; and brings attention to San Antonio arts and culture.

Artwork Goals
Luminaria showcases 50 featured artists annually. Works that are site-specific, highly effective outdoors at night (light art), cross-disciplinary, gallery installations or stage performances are all appropriate.

Artwork sales are prohibited at the arts festival on Saturday night (November 9), as it is a showcase event. However, Luminaria will host an Artist Market on Sunday, November 10 where merchandise and artwork can be sold by the festival’s Featured Artists. Artists are required to be present at both the tech rehearsal (Friday, November 8) and the festival (Saturday, November 9). We also request all artists be open to interacting with the public and media to promote the festival and their art.

Artwork Location Description
Anchored in Hemisfair, Where San Antonio Meets, the contemporary arts festival establishes this downtown district as a cultural and entertainment destination. Site partners for the arts festival include Hemisfair, Mexican Cultural Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Magik Theatre and the San Antonio Convention Center. At last year’s festival, an estimated 22,000 people attended, checking in from all over the city, the nation and the world.

Luminaria welcomes specific artwork site requests, but will make final artwork placement decisions within the footprint. Luminaria provides basic site elements, staging, lighting and electricity. Artists are responsible for their installation / performance needs and any special equipment. We will work with featured artists to confirm logistics.

HEMISFAIR

Hemisfair reconnects surrounding neighborhoods through pathways and multi-modal streets. Visitors to Hemisfair can enjoy Yanaguana Garden, an exciting 4-acre park that is dotted with public artwork created by many of San Antonio’s most prolific artists. Additionally, historic structures from the 1968 Worlds Fair that speak to San Antonio’s culture have been preserved. Here, not far from the San Antonio River, the past, present and future mingle.

Timeline

• Wednesday, February 6 – Application Information Session at the Schultze House in Hemisfair, San Antonio (6PM – 7PM)
• Saturday, March 2 – Application Information Session at the Schultze House in Hemisfair, San Antonio (11AM – 12PM)
• Friday, March 15 – Application deadline
• Week of May 1 – Artists Notified
• Friday, November 8 – Tech Rehearsal (featured artist attendance is mandatory), VIP & Press Preview (ticketed)
• Saturday, November 9 – Luminaria 2019 Contemporary Arts Festival from 7 PM to Midnight in Hemisfair (featured artist attendance is mandatory) (free)
• Sunday, November 10 – Community Day (free and ticketed)

Selection Process
Luminaria’s Curatorial Committee builds a comprehensive vision for the ever-changing arts festival. The applications are reviewed in both quantitative and qualitative methods to build a cohesive selection of regional, national, and international artists and to ensure all artistic disciplines are represented when possible. Through an open call for proposals and direct invitations, Luminaria’s curatorial committee ensures the festival’s dedication to artistic excellence. Members of the curatorial committee are appointed by Luminaria’s Executive Director, and represent a diverse group of San Antonio arts professionals.

Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated on their overall professionalism, creativity, originality, and innovation. There is only one application to submit, whether your work is visual, performance, literary, musical, architectural, fashion, film, dance, comedy or a combination of artistic genres. You must use the online application process to submit your proposal, (start with creating your user account on publicartist.org, it’s free). Cross-disciplinary works and site-specific works are encouraged. All works must be new or created within the last three years, and all artwork / performance must be entirely your own creation.

What to Submit

Upload the following information at PublicArtist.org:

1. Biography/Resume
2. 4-10 Work Samples
3. Project Proposal
4. Document upload

QUESTIONS?  Contact info@luminariasa.org