Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual light art festival in the Netherlands that presents the rapidly developing concept of light art in all its forms. After five successful editions, the festival will return to Amsterdam’s city center for the 2017-2018 edition. From artists to designers, engineers to architects, and professionals to students, the festival invites creators from around the world to submit their creative interpretations of the theme EXISTENTIAL. The sixth edition of the international light festival will take place from 30 November 2017 to 21 January 2018.

Every edition Amsterdam Light Festival artworks are selected by a jury panel through a Call for Concepts, where artists from all over the world are asked to submit new ideas for the festival.

Deadline submission round 1 - curatorial selection: 31 January 2017, 11:00 CET

Amsterdam’s world-renowned canals and various waterfronts offer visitors a unique way to experience multidisciplinary light artworks. Amsterdam Light Festival presents two exhibitions, following two routes in Amsterdam’s city center, each with its own unique interpretation of the festival’s theme.



Water Colors boat route Amsterdam Light Festival champions artworks that connect the essential elements of light and people’s EXISTENTIAL needs and dreams, making people more aware of their existential being. For the Water Colors boat route, we are looking for monumental proposals on, above or in the water that connect with the city, its inhabitants, and its visitors.

Illuminade walking route For the Illuminade walking route, we hope to see beautiful interpretations and installations that bring the EXISTENTIAL qualities of light back to the basics and provide a stage for natural miracles and occurrences. We are looking for artworks that you can touch, walk through, connect with and react to.

Deadlines & Schedule 2017

Tuesday 31 January 2017 (11:00 CET) Deadline submission round 1 - curatorial selection. Late entries are not accepted.

Friday 17 February 2017 Notification whether the curatorial team has selected your submission for round 2 and presentation to the jury.

Friday 17 March 2017 (11:00 CET) Deadline submission round 2 - jury selection.

Tuesday 4 April 2017 Announcement of approximately 30 artists selected by the international jury members.

Tuesday 18 April – Friday 21 April 2017 The artists who are selected by the jury visit Amsterdam for the kickoff meeting and site visit (2 days). These dates are subject to change. Please fill out the form on www.amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/cfc to request the Artist Briefing. Any questions can be sent to cfc@amsterdamlightfestival.com.

Please note: there is a submission fee for concept entries

Top Photo: Greenhouse by Victor Engbers © Janus van den Eijnden Photography — at Hoftuin.

Lower photo: Twentse Ambassade Amsterdam © Janus van den Eijnden Photography