Whether you are a muralist, a sculptor, a digital dreamer, or a creator of the uncategorizable, the Canopy offers a unique, shaded, semi-protected space with high visibility and a constant flow of community energy. There are many ways to bring your creations. Read on to learn more!
Ways to Bring Your Art
- The Gallery (2D & Hangable Art) – A curated, immersive gallery space within the Canopy. This is ideal for framed pieces, tapestries, or 2D works that benefit from a reprieve from the elements. We also host Live Painting within the Gallery throughout the week.
- Mural Panels (The 6:00 Wall) – Make your mark on the Canopy’s back wall, greeting all who enter the Plaza from outer 6:00. We provide 8’ x 8’ pre-primed panels for your vision. These are high-traffic canvases for painters looking to display their work in the heart of the action.
- 3D & Free-Standing Installations – Strategic nooks and alcoves under the shade are available for sculptures and interactive pieces. This is the perfect sandbox to test a new idea or display an installation without needing the heavy infrastructure of an open-playa build.
Center Camp Canopy Art Guidelines
**You must have a confirmed ticket to Black Rock City to participate. The Canopy does not provide tickets or art grants.**
Curation & Timeline
- Rolling Basis: We review proposals as they come in. Space is a finite resource, so early applications are highly encouraged.
- Notification: You will receive a response from our Art Team regarding your proposal. Approved work will be notified by July 20th.
- Theme: While your work doesn’t have to align with the “Axis Mundi” theme, we love it when it does!
Installation & Safety
- Check-In Required: You must check in with the Art Team on-site before installing. We are here to help you orient and place your piece.
- Finished Work: Installations should arrive fully fabricated. The Canopy is an active build site; please bring a complete piece ready for installation.
- Power: Depending on the piece’s location, we may be able to offer one power source (up to 2 amps/250 watts) for lighting or low-draw tech. You will need to provide your own extension cords and power strips.
- Securing Your Work: You are responsible for your own hardware, tools, and ladders. All 3D work must be safely anchored (rebar/T-stakes) to withstand the winds. Always ask before staking—we have underground electrical lines!
- Interaction: If your project includes interactive or consumable elements, please include a clear plan for replenishing materials and containing them so they do not migrate to other artworks or create MOOP.
- Liability: While the Canopy is a communal and respectful environment, damage and/or theft can occur, especially when unsupervised. The Center Camp Canopy team is not responsible for lost or damaged artwork.
Respect the Canopy
- Leave No Trace: Your art must be “playa-proof.” If it sheds, peels, or creates MOOP, it’s not a fit for the Canopy.
- Look but Don’t Touch (The Canopy): To protect the integrity of the structure, nothing may be attached to the Canopy beams, cables, or wiring. Your art must be self-supporting.
- Strike: You are responsible for removing all of your art and hardware by Monday after the Burn. Anything left behind is MOOP. Please don’t abandon your art. Make prior arrangements if you need to remove your art earlier or later.
3D Installations
Size + Placement
- Free-standing work must not exceed 10 feet in height and should fit within a 6’ x 6’ footprint.
- For smaller pieces, please consider how they will be displayed, such as through pedestals or stands, so they are clearly presented within the space.
- Installations that include sound will be placed with consideration of the two Canopy stages, and volume levels will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Tools + Setup
- Artists are expected to bring all necessary hardware, tools, ladders or step stools, and any assistance needed to install their work.
- In some cases, support for heavy equipment (such as a forklift) may be available, though this cannot be guaranteed without prior arrangement.
- Thoughtful securing not only protects your work from environmental factors but can also deter unwanted movement or removal.
Safety
- Please design and install your work with participant movement in mind, ensuring that it does not create unnecessary tripping hazards.
- If your piece is physically climbable but not intended for climbing, include clear, visible signage such as “Please Do Not Climb.” It is important to recognize that participants may still choose to engage physically with the work, so keep safety in mind.
Muralists
- Dimensions: Panels are 8’ x 8’.
- Materials: All paints must be water-based. No exceptions.
- Self-Reliance: We have a tiny stash of community brushes, but please bring your own kit and fabric drop cloths to keep the floor clean.
- 2D Paintings: Mural paintings must be flush with the panel. If your concept involves elements to be installed on the wood panels, please include that in your response to the questionnaire. If your proposal is unsuitable for the Wall, we may be able to accommodate it in a different area of the Canopy.
The 2025 Center Camp Canopy Art Application Form is Live
We are excited to see what you bring to life. If you have questions, contact us at CenterCamp@burningman.org
Other Ways to Get Involved at the Canopy
Bring your Idea to the Canopy
Want to contribute a performance, installation, immersive game, or pop-up gifting experience?
Volunteer with the Canopy
Fill out the Volunteer Questionnaire and join our fantastic team!