FAQS

Illuminate Arts Festival is a free outdoor event highlighting art and performance, from dusk to dawn, on unceded Wolastoqey Territory in Fredericton, NB.

Illuminate is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2022, on unsurrendered and unceded Wolastoqey Territory, in the colonially named city of Fredericton.

Keeping with Nuit Blanche tradition, this festival is intended to be presented over a 12 hour period, between dusk and dawn (6:00PM on Saturday to 6:00AM on Sunday). 

A map will be available shortly.

The majority of Illuminate will be held outdoors and all current Public Health guidelines will be enforced. We continue to work with the city and Department of Public health to ensure we present Illuminate in a format that allows engagement while presenting minimal risk. We are prepared to make changes, as necessary, to create a safer environment for artists, creators, performers, and the general public.  KN-95 masks will be available for all artists, volunteers, and attendees.

The majority of Illuminate will be held outdoors and tickets are not required. All official Illuminate projects and performances are presented free of charge. 

People of any age can attend Illuminate. The festival is intended to be physically accessible. Service animals are welcome at all venues.  

Pets (on leash) are welcome to attend all outdoor installations; however, we ask that you consult our Festival Map to determine whether any installations may overstimulate or concern your pet.  

We will be providing a Festival Map in advance of the event – this will include a legend that provides a brief description of each art installation and event (and scheduled times, if applicable). There will be an audio alternative offered as well, including audio descriptions of all art installations and performances. 

Maps will be available at local businesses in advance of Illuminate, and can be picked up at the Illuminate Info Tent on Carleton Street. More details will be available soon!

We intend to offer a variety of options for virtual participation. The audio map/audio tour will be available online in addition to an interactive map with additional information. There will be several live stream portions of Illuminate, which you may access during or after the event. 

Illuminate is presented by Fierté Fredericton Pride and funded in part by the Department of Canadian Heritage. 

We need volunteers to make this event happen! Click on “Participate” in the menu bar to access our volunteer application or email us at info@illuminateartsfestival.com – we appreciate your support!

If you’re a business or organization, please consider donating your space or services to help make Illuminate a memorable night for all! We are also seeking in-kind donations, particularly hot beverages and food. Please contact info@illuminateartsfestival.com to discuss further – we look forward to hearing from you!

We have an online application which you may access using the “Apply Now” button on the homepage or the “Apply” option in the menu bar. If you would prefer to complete a paper or PDF application or if we can provide a more accessible format, please contact us at info@illuminateartsfestival.com

16 years of age or older (younger applicants may apply with support of a family member, guardian, or mentor over the age of 16 – please contact for more details)

To be eligible, you must be:

• Currently based on Turtle Island in colonially named Canada. Applications from individuals currently residing on unceded traditional territories of the Wolastoqey, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples are prioritized.
• Committed to Illuminate’s values of intersectionality, innovation, inclusion, and independence
• Committed to creating and sharing work which reflects our Guiding Principles and does not violate our Festival Policy. 

We have a limited number of grants available to individual artists and creators as well as collectives and groups for the development of Illuminate Projects. Grants are not guaranteed.

Grants for individual artists start at $400.00 and grants for collectives start at $800.00. 

Performers are not eligible for grants (but performers can be a part of Illuminate Projects). Selected Performers will be paid an honorarium, not a grant. 

Additional funds to support the purchase of materials may be added to this grant, dependent on the number of successful applicants and the costs and labour associated with the execution of the project, to be determined by the organizers.

There are three categories for applications: 

Illuminate Project – Intended for individual artists/creators/performers and non-funded collectives. This includes art installations, performance art pieces, and workshops.  Eligible for grants.

Illuminate Performer – Intended for musicians, dancers, drag artists, and performers who wish to engage in the festival but are not affiliated with/proposing a full Illuminate Project. Eligible for honorarium payment, not grants.

Independent Project – Intended for established arts groups/institutions, galleries, or businesses. These projects are intended to be self-funded.

There are also other ways to get involved! Contact us if you would like to discuss providing support in the form of space, services, or in-kind donations, or partnering with Illuminate. 

No. We have a limited number of spots for artists, creators, and performers available (and a limited number of grants). 

We prioritize applications from 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous, racialized, disabled, neurodiverse, fat, underwaged, or otherwise underrepresented individuals. 

Submissions of new work will be prioritized; however, existing works may also be submitted. 

Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning the sooner you apply, the sooner you will hear back. We eschew colonial rubrics and juried review panels and encourage artists with any level of experience to apply. Submissions will be selected based on their alignment with Illuminate’s Guiding Principles, found at www.illuminateartsfestival.com/about/

Please note that submission does not guarantee acceptance. You will be contacted via email to relay the results of your application.

Art Installations are intended to be accessible from dusk ’til dawn. Volunteers will be available to provide breaks to artists and creators presenting Installations or Performance Art pieces. 

We understand that performances and workshops cannot go on for 12 hours straight. This will be discussed further with applicants upon acceptance; however, we intend to offer scheduled and recurring performance/workshop options in addition to other potential formats.