2027 Black Rock City Honoraria Program: Letter of Intent

About this call

Every year the Burning Man Project's Art Department issues a small number of grants to partially fund artworks installed on the open playa at the Burning Man event in Black Rock City, Nevada. Applications begin with a Letter of Intent, which the Grant Committee uses to decide which projects are invited to submit a full proposal; the online form for the 2027 event opened on 1 October 2026 and closes at 5pm Pacific time on 29 October 2026. The programme funds work that stands on its own as a physical, sculptural installation, independent of performances or activities: visually appealing, three-dimensional, impactful, interactive and placed on the open playa. It does not fund performances, workshops, amplified sound or DJs, domes, tents or prefabricated structures, murals and other two-dimensional work unless incorporated into a sculptural piece, theme camps, mutant vehicles or bikes. Individuals, artist collectives and groups, and established 501(c)(3) organisations are all eligible, and the Project states there are no geographic restrictions on who may apply. Around 70 to 75 projects receive an honorarium each year, and applicants are advised to request 40 to 60 percent of their total budget. Letters of Intent must go through the online Burner Profile system; applications by email or mail are not accepted. Notifications go out on 8 December 2026 and invited full proposals are due on 11 January 2027.

Who can apply

• International applicants
• Medium: Sculpture / Installation
• Entry fee: See official site
• Individuals, artist collectives or groups, and established 501(c)(3) organisations may apply, with no geographic restrictions. The work must be a physical, sculptural, three-dimensional installation for the open playa that is visually appealing, impactful and interactive. Performances, workshops, amplified sound and DJs, domes, tents, teepees, stages and prefabricated structures, artwork containing sleeping spaces, standalone murals, food and drink focused experiences, theme camps, mutant vehicles and mutant bikes are not funded. A Letter of Intent must be submitted through the online Burner Profile; email and mail applications are not accepted, and a full proposal cannot be submitted without going through the LOI stage. Applicants are advised to request 40 to 60 percent of their total budget. LOI notifications are sent on 8 December 2026 and invited full proposals are due at 5pm Pacific time on 11 January 2027. Being an honorarium artist requires several mandatory meetings and firm deadlines. No application fee is stated on the programme page or the submission instructions.