Nocturne 2025 Waterfront Chalets Call for Community Groups
Nocturne and Build Nova Scotia would like to invite Kjipuktuk/Halifax-based Community Groups to submit a proposal to use one of eight Waterfront Chalets during Nocturne: Ground. Participating groups will be part of our signature night-time art experience on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 6pm-midnight.
We encourage proposals of all kinds: installations, performances, community engagement, workshops, collective creating, film screening, virtual, radio - and more!
Applications can be submitted via this online form and applicants should outline in their submission the project details and how they would use the chalet during Nocturne.
DEADLINE: August 4th or until filled
Please Note:
- Nocturne does not provide funding to participating Community Groups. These should be self-funded projects.
- Nocturne is a FREE event. Projects that will be selling products or services are not eligible to participate.
- Applicants should know that participation in Nocturne is not automatic, solely based on meeting the general eligibility requirements.
About the Space:
Located at the Foundation Wharf on the Halifax Waterfront, each chalet measures 2.87m x 2.24m and features a service window on the front.
Though the Chalets do not have built-in electrical outlets, power may be accessed depending on the needs of the proposed project. Please outline any power requirements in your application.
Respecting the space:
- Anything affixed to the interior or exterior of the chalets must be done without penetrating the walls (ie. no nails or thumbtacks) or framing of the chalet and instead must be done using products such as 3M Command Strips.
- Please leave the space as you found it and ensure all members of your group remove personal belongings, trash, etc.
For more information about the chalets, please visit: https://buildns.ca/news/pop-up-business-opportunity-on-the-halifax-waterfront/
About this year’s festival
Nocturne’s 2025 Festival Curator, Marite Kuus selected the theme Ground. For this year's theme of Ground, artists are invited to explore physical, social, cultural and political aspects of the ground beneath us. Gardeners, mycologists, walkers, archeologists and geologists, roadworkers, settlers; we all have a different relationship with this space which we interact with daily, and we encourage applicants to consider the multitude of possible meanings of this theme. To learn more about Marite and this year’s theme, click here. To view the Nocturne: Ground suggested reading list, Field Notes, click here.
DATE: Saturday, October 18, 2025 6:00 PM - MIDNIGHT
How do I apply?
Applications can be submitted via this online form and applicants should outline in their submission the project details and how they would use a chalet during Nocturne.
DEADLINE: August 4th, 2025 or until filled
Please see the FAQ section below for more information about suitable project proposals for this call.
This call is supported by Build Nova Scotia
FAQ's
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What type of groups are eligible to participate?
- COMMUNITY GROUPS
For-profit and non-profit community and cultural organizations, businesses (retail) and other cultural, educational and historical institutions, that do not meet the definition of a gallery, but will participate by coordinating their own nocturne arts event or activity, with the participation of artists or members of the arts community.
Includes other arts organizations (circus arts, dance, theatre), community groups, university galleries and other organizations.
- GALLERY
Organization or business whose day-to-day primary operations are the exhibition and/or promotion of visual arts and/or artists.
Includes public & commercial galleries, artist-run centres, arts cooperatives, university galleries.
- MUSEUM
Organization in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited.
- LOCAL BUSINESS
If you are a local business or for-profit group that does not fit the community group category, but wishes to participate in Nocturne: Art at Night, please contact us at [email protected] for further information.
- COMMUNITY GROUPS
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What are some examples of project proposals for this call?
- ART INSTALLATIONS - Chalets may be used to install artwork. Installations can be view-only displays or immersive (where the public can interact with the work).
- PERFORMANCES: Proposals may also include live performances from individuals or groups. Please note that performance-based proposals must not interfere with surrounding Chalet projects.
INFORMATION AND OUTREACH: Groups and organizations may also use the Chalets as an opportunity to share their work within the community and inform visitors about upcoming opportunities. Promotional materials such as posters, brochures, and free branded merchandise may also be handed out.
Selected applicants must agree to adhere to Nocturne's Festival Policies and Code of Conduct.
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How will projects be evaluated?
All applications will be reviewed and selected based on:
Merit, Presentation, Originality: Is your project high-quality, original, and reflects the scale and spirit of Nocturne?
Feasibility: Do you provide details about the production and technical requirements and how you plan to meet those requirements?
Accessibility: How is your project accessible to diverse audiences and equity-seeking groups?
Safety: All projects are reviewed for safety requirements as they are included under our liability insurance.
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Is there anything else I should know?
Nocturne encourages Community Groups and galleries to work collaboratively with an artist(s) or members of an arts organization. If working with an artist, Nocturne also encourages fair financial compensation to any artist(s) involved with creating or collaborating on a project for a Community Group or Gallery.
Nocturne is dedicated to providing safer spaces. We aim to host spaces that are widely accessible, amplify marginalized voices and leadership, and actively prioritize anti-oppressive principles. Our organizational goal is to provide inclusive events free from harassment and discrimination.
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Are there other ways I can get involved?
- Call for Community Groups & Galleries: In addition to this call, we are also accepting submissions to Nocturne's main Call for Community Groups & Galleries. Submissions for this call close August 4th. To learn more about this call, click here.
- Supporting Nocturne: If you are a local business or for-profit group that does not fit the criteria for this call, but wish to participate in Nocturne: Art at Night, please contact us at [email protected] for further information on sponsorship opportunities and more!
- Hosting a Project: Do you have an amazing space of your own that you would like to see activated by artists? Nocturne may have additional projects in need of venues throughout central Halifax and Dartmouth. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.
- Volunteering with Nocturne: If you are interested in volunteering for this year's festival, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on our upcoming call for volunteers!