Burning Man Art
What is Burning Man Art?
It’s a towering sculpture you can climb, and it’s a tiny gem of a handmade necklace you can wear. It might be anchored into the ground, or rolling around on wheels, or walking past you on stilts. You could be wearing it, or sharing it, or, because some say Burning Man itself is one big art project, you just might be living it.
It’s not a style of art, or a school, but it is an art movement. A movement away from art as a commodity, and toward art as a birthright, available to every human. Away from an economy of controlled scarcity and toward one of creative abundance and joyful collaboration. Burning Man art is all these things, and it’s all a gift.
It is immediate and involving. It’s collaborative and it breaks down barriers between audience and art work. It’s based upon participation—it’s radically interactive.
—Larry Harvey
A Global Art Movement
It started on a beach, it’s grown up in a desert, and now it’s all over the place, shifting paradigms and making art-making accessible to countless people who never dreamed they could be artists until the Burning Man community gave them the permission and support they needed. That support increasingly comes in the form of grants, both from Burning Man Project and the Regional Network, for a combined total of roughly $3MM per year.
It’s also supported, increasingly, by cities, public arts institutions, and private citizens who want to help bring this art out into the world and give it a second (or third) life.
Art in Black Rock City
The best way to experience art in Black Rock City is to make it. Just remember there are a lot of ways to do that in a city that is in every sense an art project, assembled each year from the ground up.
Too many choices? Take a stroll through our Gallery collection for some inspiration.
Read more about the power of building Burning Man art!
Burning Man Art is Participatory
There are many ways to get inspired and get involved with Burning Man art, both in Black Rock City and year-round. We rely on the participation of talented, creative and passionate supporters – like you!
- Create art for the playa – Do you have a creative vision? Are you ready to jump in? Learn how you can register and bring your own art to Burning Man!
- Apply for an art grant – Each year, Burning Man Project distributes US$1.3 million in art grants for Black Rock City projects. Learn more about the Honoraria Program.
- Fund an art project – Many artists rely on the financial support of community members to help them bring their art to Black Rock City.
- Join an art crew – Help bring an artist’s creative vision to life by joining their build crew! Check with your regional contacts or the listings on Spark to find out who needs help.
- Volunteer with the Art Department – Raise your hand to join one of the Burning Man Art Department’s volunteer teams by filling out our Volunteer Questionnaire.
