now accepting submissionS

Nuit Blanche Saskatoon is a free, night-time event that showcases and celebrates Arts, Culture and Community. Overtaking multiple venues and public spaces throughout Saskatoon's core neighbourhoods, this event features sculptures, installations, performances, music, theatre, visual arts, poetry, projections, and other contemporary art forms.

Become a featured artist in our 11th annual event on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, 7 pm-12 am!

S U B M I S S I O N   o v e r v i e w

  • We welcome applications from emerging and professional artists working in all mediums. 

  • Artists are invited to submit pre-existing, in-process and new projects for consideration.

  • Strong applications should incorporate light, encourage public interaction, engage viewers, transform public spaces, be fun, and/or share unique perspectives.

  • We are committed to practices that promote dialogue in culturally diverse communities. Nuit Blanche Saskatoon recognizes the importance of equity and diversity. If you feel comfortable, please self-declare on the application form if you identify as part of an underrepresented equity group, such as people with disabilities, BIPOC, or 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

E L I G I B I L I T Y

  • You are an individual artist or submitting on behalf of an artists’ collective.

  • You agree to install your work and attend to any issues throughout the night of the event unless other arrangements are made. 

  • Installations / static projects must be up from 7 pm to midnight; this means artists should plan for the weather conditions that might be an issue.

  • Events/Performances - must occur 3-5 times throughout the evening. The Curator will assist with finalizing a schedule. Performances must adhere to the schedule. 

  • You agree to share images of you and your work to promote Nuit Blanche Saskatoon. As well as allowing images taken during the event to be used by Nuit Blanche Saskatoon in promotional materials.

  • You must meet deadlines provided by the Nuit Blanche team to ensure the festival meets appropriate timelines.

P R O J E C T T Y P E S

S C R E E N I N G

We want to showcase pre-existing media-based work (film, gradient, animation, digitized super8, poetry on film, etc.) running 5 -15 minutes in length.

Budget: $85 flat rate screening fee based on CARFAC A.2.2.

Technical: The artist must provide the file—the NBYXE team handles all technical needs.

Location: Films will be screened on a loop with other films at a central location.

There is room for approximately six screening projects.

S T A N D A R D

We encourage projects incorporating spectacle and light that interact with public spaces; performance and transformative installation are also encouraged.

Budget: $908($508 artist fee* + $400 for material, equipment etc.) based on CARFAC A.1.6

Technical: All technical needs, supplies, setup, and takedown are to be handled by the artist(s).

Location: Nuit Blanche Curator will secure a suitable location partnership to host the work.

There is room for approximately 10-12 Standard Projects.

I N T E R A C T I V E

People love hands-on interactive projects, especially with a take-home artwork or item. The increased budget is to reflect the cost of extra supplies.

Budget: $1300 ($508 artist fee* + $792 for materials, equipment rentals, etc.) CARFAC A.1.6

Technical: All technical needs, supplies, setup, and takedown are to be handled by the artist.

Location: Nuit Blanche Curator will secure a suitable location partnership.

There is room for approximately 6-8 interactive Projects.

S P E C T A C L E

We are seeking show-stopping projects that are exceptional, large, impressive, and innovative. Artists who fall under this category should have a track record of successfully delivering extensive projects.

Budget: $4000 Flat rate

Technical: All technical needs, supplies, setup, and takedown are to be handled by the artist(s).

Location: Nuit Blanche Curator will secure a suitable location partnership.

There is room for approximately 2-3 showstopper projects.

Note: Projects with higher budgets will be reviewed more critically, and past work and history must be provided to prove the artist can pull off an extensive work of art.

*Multiple artists: CARFAC A.1.6 • Exhibitions in Other Public Places

  • Solo $549

  • two artists $275 /artist

  • three artists $181/artist

  • four artists or more $174/artist

H o w t o s u b m i t

  • Read over the Submission PDF

  • Fill out the Submission Form

  • Attach / email support materials

  • Submissions must be received by March 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact our curator, Jane McWhirter at programming@nuitblanchesaskatoon.ca

 FAQ’s

  • Strong applications should encourage public interaction, engage viewers, transform public spaces, be fun, and/or share unique perspectives. Projects should incorporate light and spectacle as this is a night-time event.

    Interactive - ways for festival-goers to get involved, interact with the art, and try something new. People love to engage with art in new, exciting ways.

    Transformative - art that wows viewers and transports them to another world. Lighting, installation, performance, etc, are great ways to transform a space. Recontextualize a Saskatoon street, building, alleyway or landmark.

    Perspective - art that shares a perspective, story or message. A way to nurture community and connect through creativity.

  • Be descriptive and clear. We don’t need fancy words. We want to know what you plan to do, how you plan to do it, what inspired the work and how you plan to get things together.

    Let us know if your work is large-scale or can be viewed/heard from a distance. Or if your piece is more intimate, we can consider how to showcase it best.

    Let us know the mood and atmosphere you are trying to create.

  • Projects are selected by our Programming Committee, comprised of local artists, NBYXE board members, and our curator.

    Reflecting Saskatoon's diversity, we are committed to incorporating work by people from underrepresented work equity groups, such as people with disabilities, BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+.

    We will inform selected artists by late spring.

  • Artists will need to secure the materials and equipment necessary for their installation.

    We might be able to coordinate community partnerships to provide in-kind donations and infrastructure support. Please outline which items you might need help securing.

  • We attract a wide range of people. Most work should be suitable for all ages and accessible to all people. Nuit Blanche Saskatoon is a family-friendly event.

    We can make accommodations/arrangements for works with more mature themes; please outline if this applies to your project, and we will consider ways to showcase your work.

  • Our team will work with each performer to establish appropriate performance lengths (generally half an hour or less) and schedule them throughout the night.

    Shorter or longer performances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

    Please include as much detail as possible in your application submission.

  • We will host Nuit Blanche Saskatoon unless there are severe weather warnings. Please be prepared to go ahead in unfavourable weather conditions.

  • If your dance company is interested in performing for a one-hour slot at the community dance stage, you don’t need to put together a full proposal. If you are interested, let us know at hello@nuitblanchesaskatoon.ca

  • Vendors are not permitted as part of the programming as NBYXE is a free event. However, we do encourage neighbourhood businesses to stay open late during the festival.