Opportunity: Curator for LUMINO 2026-2027
“Shadow” by TILT on Sainte-Catherine Street West, in front of the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership invites professional curators to apply to participate in the artistic development process for the next edition of LUMINO, which will light up Montreal’s winter from November 2026 to March 2027.
A luminous program in the heart of Montreal
Each winter, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership lights up downtown Montreal with LUMINO, a dazzling program that invites the public to explore numerous participatory, contemplative and luminous outdoor and indoor public artworks including video projections, installations and creative experiences. Sainte-Catherine St. West in the Quartier des Spectacles and downtown are the core of this polar adventure that people return to experience again and again all winter.
The successful candidate for the curator role will build a program that is accessible, relevant and grounded in a reflection on public space in winter. Projects will be selected in collaboration with the Partnership, based on the results of a call for proposals aimed at discovering new luminous public art installations, along with installations selected by the curator.
Application deadline: March 9, 2026, at noon Eastern time.
Exhibition locations
- Public spaces in the Quartier des Spectacles
(in coordination with events held in the district) - Sainte-Catherine Street West, between De Bleury and Saint-Laurent
- Private partner spaces and downtown Montreal (locations to be confirmed)
Mandate
- Research and select installations
- Complete space layouts for the installations, taking technical and logistical constraints into consideration
- Build relationships with the artists, communicate the curator’s vision and collect basic information (technical sheets, pricing, availability)
- Ensure compliance with the terms of rental contracts for the installations, in collaboration with the Partnership’s team
- Oversee installation setup to ensure consistency with the vision
Production schedule
- March 9 to 13, 2026 | Review of curator applications
- March 16, 2026 | Announcement of successful candidate
- March 17, 2026 | Opening of call for proposals
- May 15, 2026 | End of call for proposals
- May 2 to 25, 2026 | First review of proposals
- June 2026 | Second review of proposals
- Late June/early July 2026 | Final selection
- July/August 2026 | Signing of contracts
- Late November 2026 to March 2027 | LUMINO 17th edition
Selection criteria
Applications will be reviewed by a jury using the following criteria:
- Quality, clarity and innovativeness of the curatorial proposal, including coherence of the vision, originality of the approach and relevance of the themes described, if any
- Understanding of the public space context
- The curator’s career path, experience and approach, including previous achievements and professional recognition in the art world
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion
- Potential for outreach and public accessibility
- Potential to generate interest among the public and critics
Fees
Fixed-price contract to be determined based on experience.
Submit your application
Complete the online form
The form must include a download link to the following documents:
- Curriculum vitæ (including past accomplishments)
- Moodboard
Deadline for submitting your application: March 9, 2026, at noon.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be held between March 10 and 13, 2026.