Nocturne: Embodied City: Waterfront Chalets for Newcomer Artists

As a way to showcase and support the work of newcomer creatives in HRM, Nocturne and Build Nova Scotia are offering 8 Waterfront Chalets located on the Halifax Waterfront to be used for the festival on Saturday, October 17th. . 

Projects will be included in Nocturne: Embodied City as part of our signature night-time art experience, showcasing installations, static projects, performances, and community projects on Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 6:00 PM - midnight.

This opportunity is for newcomer artists, collectives or newcomer service organizations. Projects may span across multiple chalets, subject to availability. 

About the Festival

Founded in 2008, Nocturne: Art at Night Festival (Nocturne) is a free, independent, contemporary art festival in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). Annually, Nocturne brings 65,000+ people to the streets of Halifax and Dartmouth to experience art and celebrate the visual arts scene in Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia). 

This year Nocturne: Embodied City will take place from October 15-18, 2026.

Nocturne’s 2026 Festival Curator, Annalise Prodor selected the theme Embodied City to inform this year’s festival. In Annalise’s words, “to question what it means to be embodied in urban environments can offer relief and create opportunities to engage lived experience more directly. Embodiment, or tuning into the body’s sensory experience, can spark creation, connection, and change through art, collective practice, and site-specific interventions”.

To learn more about Annalise and this year’s theme, click here.

About the Waterfront Chalets

Located at the Foundation Wharf on the Halifax Waterfront, each chalet is 2.87m x 2.24m and features a service window on the front.

Anything affixed to the interior or exterior of the chalets must be done without penetrating the walls or framing of the chalet and instead must be done using products such as 3M Command Strips (no nails, screws, pins, etc.)

The chalets do not have power, and are not heated. If your project requires electricity, please indicate this in your proposal. 

How to get involved: 

Please send a brief email expressing your interest to [email protected] and [email protected] with the subject line ‘Waterfront Chalets’ and information about what you would like to do. 

Deadline: August 3, 2026, 11:59PM (ADT)

FAQ's

Who is this opportunity for?  

This opportunity is intended for newcomer artists, collectives or newcomer service organizations.  newcomer artists or collectives working in any discipline, at any level (beginner, emerging, established) may be presented.

Where are the Waterfront Chalets? 

The Chalets are located on the Foundation Wharf. There are 8 chalets in total to be allocated based on interest received. 

What support will Nocturne provide? 

• Free use of the Waterfront Chalets courtesy of Build Nova Scotia
• Promotion of the artists and their projects through our website and social channels 
• Installation coordination
• Projects must be coordinated, created and funded by your organization, with the support of Nocturne staff in the above areas. 
• Please note: 
  • Nocturne does not provide funding for this opportunity. 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. 

What are some examples of projects?

• Installations (interactive or view-only displays)
• Video projection 
• Sound
• Performances (please note that performance and sound-based proposals must not interfere with surrounding Chalet projects.
• Workshops/Demonstrations

Please note that these are just examples. Your project can fit into multiple categories and be multi-disciplinary in nature! Examples of previous Waterfront Chalet projects can be found in Nocturne’s online archive and searching ‘Chalet’: https://nocturnehalifax.ca/projects/archive

We also welcome collaborative proposals!

How many projects will be selected?

There will be eight (8) projects selected, one for each chalet, however projects may span across multiple chalets.

Is there anything else I should know?

• 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.
• Selected applicants must agree to adhere to Nocturne's Policies and Code of Conduct.
• All projects are reviewed for safety requirements as they are included under our liability insurance.