Today, the City of Toronto is calling for local, national and international artists to submit proposals for art projects for Nuit Blanche, which will return on October 5, 2024. Planning for the event is already well underway, with Laura Nanni selected as the next Artistic Director. Local curators can also submit expressions of interest to curate exhibition areas.
After extensive recruitment, the City is pleased to announce Laura Nanni’s two-year appointment as Artistic Director. A globally recognized curator, producer and artist with more than 15 years of experience in large-scale events, public art and performance, Nanni was a featured artist at the first Nuit Blanche Toronto in 2006. She has produced and led programs with SummerWorks, Luminato Festival, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Harbourfront Centre.
The festival returns in 2024 with a new curatorial theme, Bridging Distance, which will explore the multifaceted ways people experience distance while reimagining how they can bridge distance through art. Nanni’s direction will prioritize public access and engagement with the artwork while amplifying the creative voices and perspectives that shape Toronto and collaborating with communities worldwide. For one night, from sunset to sunrise, artists will have the opportunity to express how to reconnect with the city, the world and each other in a shared public space.
The City seeks local curators to collaborate closely with Nanni to oversee the artistic vision of exhibition areas within Nuit Blanche Toronto 2024. Prospective curators interested in participating are encouraged to submit an initial expression of interest by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22. More details are available on the City’s Nuit Blanche website.
The Open Call Program is available to local, national or international artists and collectives from any artistic discipline. Projects are selected by Nuit Blanche’s Artistic Director and Curators from submissions. The City funds and produces the projects in collaboration with accepted applicants.
The Independent Projects Program consists of self-produced projects staged in neighbourhoods across Toronto that may include parks, galleries, storefronts, office towers, streets and sidewalks. Selected projects receive an honorarium towards artist fees and materials. Applicants for Independent Projects must be based in Toronto.
Open Call and Independent Projects applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Both program streams are open to practicing artists and collectives and submitted proposals should have a strong visual component. Projects by contemporary artists and collaborations between artists and researchers or creators working in other disciplines relevant to this year’s theme are welcome. More details and access to the submission portal can be found on the City’s Nuit Blanche Call for Submissions webpage.
Nuit Blanche Toronto is the city’s annual all-night celebration of contemporary art, produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community. Since 2006, this award-winning event has featured more than 1600 art installations by approximately 5,800 artists and has generated over $489 million in economic impact for Toronto. Information and updates are available on the Nuit Blanche website on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.