Brilliant 2021 
Competition information pack 
Sponsored by EMG solicitors 

Contents 
Introduction, page 2 
Changes for 2021, page 4 
Your idea, page 4
Your location, page 5
How to apply, page 6 
Budget, page 7
Selection criteria, page 8
Support, page 8 
Key things to remember, page 9











Introduction 
Thank you for your interest in applying for BRILLIANT 2021. 
Please read this information pack before you complete the application form. 
The closing date for applications is Thursday 11th February 2021 at 9am. 
This info pack is available in: 
Large print 
Plain text 
Easy read 
Audio recording 
Please download these formats from the Lumiere website: lumiere-festival.com/brilliant-2021/ 
If you would like additional support with making your application, please contact Artichoke on: 
020 7650 7611 or brilliant@artichoke.uk.com 











Lumiere 
The UKÕs leading light festival, Lumiere returns to Durham from 18th to 21st November 2021. Over four magical evenings, festival producers Artichoke will bring leading national and international artists to Durham, transforming the urban landscape with spectacular art installations made using light. Since 2009, Lumiere has attracted an audience to Durham of over 1 million visitors across six festivals. This is your chance to be part of the festival programme and become a Lumiere artist.
BRILLIANT: What is it? 
BRILLIANT is a commissioning scheme aimed at encouraging anyone (aged 18 or older) with an interest in using light creatively, to suggest their brightest idea for an artwork to be produced and exhibited as part of the Lumiere 2021 programme. 
BRILLIANT has been running successfully since 2011, and was previously only open to people living in or originally from the North East of England. 
In an exciting development of the scheme, the invitation to apply has now been extended to the whole of the UK. 
Successful applicants will be supported by Artichoke to develop their winning idea for their light installation to be part of the Lumiere 2021 festival programme. 
Artichoke is committed to developing creative talents and voices from a range of backgrounds and we are particularly keen to hear from Black People and People of Colour, as well as d/Deaf and Disabled individuals who are currently under-represented in our BRILLIANT Alumni. 
You donÕt need to be a practicing artist or have any previous experience to apply to BRILLIANT. You just need a brilliant idea. 






Changes for 2021 
The BRILLIANT commissioning scheme is now open to applications from anyone currently living in the UK (aged 18 or older). 
There will be up to six awards available, of which three will be ringfenced for those originally from or living in the North East as part of ArtichokeÕs ongoing commitment the development of local creativity. 


Who is it for? 
BRILLIANT is open to anyone currently living in the UK (aged 18 and over) with an interest in light to suggest their brightest idea to be produced and exhibited as part of Lumiere 2021. 
We are particularly interested in receiving applications from: 
Individuals who are currently living in or are originally from the North East and are local to Durham 
and those who are under-represented in our BRILLIANT alumni, particularly

Those who identify as Black People and People of Colour
Those who identify as d/Deaf and Disabled 


Your idea 
We donÕt set a theme for BRILLIANT. We just want to see your best and most inspired idea for an artwork using light. 
Ideas and inspiration: 
Something that is important to you
DurhamÕs unique history, people, stories or places
Something you think would simply look amazing

Something that reveals a familiar location or everyday object in a different way 
You can use any material, as long as light is at the heart of the final artwork. 
We like variety, so be bold and get thinking.
WeÕre not looking for something enormous
WeÕre interested in installations that can be added into the everyday life of Durham 
Your art installation must be able to withstand the elements and be resilient enough to be viewed by large audiences over four nights. 
Consider using sustainable technology or recycled materials if you can. 
Previous winners have made their installations using luminous wool and drainpipes as knitting needles, projected discs of colour and sound, and by upcycling thousands of illuminated plastic bottles. You can see some images here or take a look in the Lumiere digital archive on the website to find out more about previous BRILLIANT winning installations and get some inspiration: 
http://www.lumiere-festival.com/archive-home/?archive-category=brilliant 

Location for proposed artwork 
WeÕve already started programming Lumiere 2021, using lots of spaces across the city. Iconic sites such as Durham Castle, the Market Place and the Cathedral have already been allocated. Your application is less likely to succeed if you suggest these locations. 
You do not need a location in mind to make an application. If you are going to propose a specific site for your work, try to think of ideas that will work in smaller, more intimate locations. 
If your idea is successful, our producers will work with you and advise on spaces and locations. Permissions for the use of each site will be secured by Artichoke after the BRILLIANT awards are made. 
What happens if my idea is chosen? 
BRILLIANT winners will be supported by festival producers Artichoke to develop and create their own light installation. They will also receive ongoing mentoring and advice. 

BRILLIANT winners receive: 
A fee of £1000 
Support from an Artichoke Producer and Production Manager to realise their BRILLIANT idea 
Production/materials/fabrication/installation costs up to £7000 
In addition, Artichoke will pay for the costs of event management and security associated with your installation 
Bespoke professional development, including ongoing mentoring and advice after Lumiere 
An international platform to exhibit your artwork. Lumiere is attended by hundreds of thousands of people and receives significant coverage from local, national and international media 
Introduction to appropriate networks to support future exhibitions and showings of your artwork 

How do I apply? 
There is a two-stage application process: 
Stage One 
Complete our short application form to apply for BRILLIANT. We ask you to tell us a little bit about yourself, provide an outline of your idea and how the public might experience it. There is space in the application form to tell us what materials it might be made of, give a rough estimate of how much it might cost, and for where you think your artwork could go if you have a location in mind. There is also space to attach any photos or drawings. 
Applications can be completed online by clicking this link: 
lumiere-festival.com/brilliant-2021/ 
Artichoke is committed to equality of opportunity and access for all and welcomes and encourages applications from everyone, irrespective of their age, gender, class, marital status, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, religious belief or sexual orientation. We are particularly interested in ideas from those who are under-represented in our BRILLIANT alumni, particularly: 
Those who identify as Black People and People of Colour 
Those who identify as d/Deaf and Disabled 
To request the application form in an alternative format or to receive additional support with completing your application please call the Artichoke office on 020 7650 7611 or email brilliant@artichoke.uk.com 
Our website has the application form as a downloadable Word document and PDF format if you are unable to access the online form. 
Closing date for applications: 9am, Thursday 11th February 2021 

Budget 
BRILLIANT is a small-scale commissioning scheme. Successful applicants will receive a fee of £1000. Previous budgets for fabrication and delivery of the artwork have ranged from a minimum £500 up to a maximum of £7,000. 
We have included a space on the application form for you to give us a rough estimate of what your artwork might cost to make and install.Ê
If you are selected for Stage Two, we will support you to develop a comprehensive budget as part of your proposal.
Stage Two 
If your Stage One application is successful, you will be invited to an initial online meeting with an Artichoke Producer and Production Manager to discuss your application. You will need to be available for this meeting. Meeting dates are during the day on either Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th and Friday 12th March 2021. Each meeting will last about two hours, and we will be using the Zoom platform. 
Following this initial meeting you will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal. You will be given four weeks to do this, and will receive support from Artichoke to develop your idea further. This will include support with putting together a more detailed project budget, technical advice on how the piece could be made and help with possible locations. 
Once your Stage Two proposal is completed, you will be invited to attend an interview with a selection panel. We hope it will be possible to hold this in person in Durham on either Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th or Thursday 15th April 2021. Further details will be given if you are successful at this stage. 
If you cannot make any of these dates, please let us know this in your application. 
We will support applicants with travel/accommodation if required. 
Please let us know on the application form or by either email or phone if you have any specific requirements that will help you to attend a meeting and interview. 
brilliant@artichoke.uk.com 020 7650 7611 


The Selection Criteria 
Awards will be given based on: 
The quality of your idea 
How inspired it is 
How the idea might fit with other programmed artwork 
Your ability to work with us to create the artwork within the budget, taking into consideration the technical requirements, installation and material costs 

Support 
If successful, Artichoke will help you with:
Early production advice, including practical and technical support 
Support with developing your idea and budgeting
Permissions and licenses for use of the space
Production and technical support
Health and Safety management
Site security and stewarding
Press and marketing
Travel and accommodation 

Key things to remember: 
You must be living in the UK to apply. 
You must be aged 18 years or over. 
You do not need to be an artist to apply. We welcome applications from anyone with a BRILLIANT idea. 
Applicants can only submit one application and we will consider your first application only. 
Ideas must be original. Applicants who have previously applied to BRILLIANT but have been unsuccessful can only apply with a new idea. 
We cannot accept applications from previous BRILLIANT winners. 
You cannot change your application form once it has been submitted. 
BRILLIANT winners will be decided on by a panel working to agreed criteria. We will contact you after the closing date to let you know the result of your application. Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications we anticipate, we will not be able to offer feedback on unsuccessful Stage One applications. 
The first showing of this piece must be at Lumiere 2021. 
Your work must be exclusively available to show in Durham from 18th November 2021 for the entire festival period and for an installation period of up to one week in advance. 
You should be present for the install and deinstallation of your artwork or plan to provide an appropriate person on occasions where you cannot be present. 
You must be available to attend production meetings and site visits when required (dates will be discussed with you in advance). 
Artichoke producers will support you to create your artwork. You will need to agree to a fabrication timeframe and budget in advance. You will be issued with a written contract that will refer to this. 
You must be willing to assist Artichoke with the promotion of your work and the BRILLIANT scheme and be available to give interviews to the press and media if required. 
The final installation will be produced and promoted by Artichoke and its partners. 
The copyright and intellectual property of your artwork and services will belong to you. However, if your idea is selected for BRILLIANT, you will agree that Artichoke has the artwork exclusively for the purposes and period of Lumiere 2021. 
Following the festival, you will be responsible for the disposal or future storage of your work. 
If successful, when exhibiting your work after the festival, you must acknowledge it was commissioned by Artichoke for Lumiere 2021 in Durham.