Waterloo Greenway is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Creek Show from November 13-21, 2026, coming back to the banks of Waller Creek after a one-year hiatus. Beginning today, local architects, landscape architects, artists, and designers are invited to submit ideas for light-based, site-specific installations in the Creek Show Call for Ideas. Selected teams will be awarded a $20,000 installation budget, including artist honorarium and costs for labor and materials. The deadline to submit proposals is midnight on Friday, April 17.
This year’s Creek Show will be presented for the first time at Waterloo Greenway’s Phase II: The Confluence, which runs from 4th St to Lady Bird Lake and is set to open to the public on June 6, 2026. Creek Show will once again delight and inspire the community and celebrate the creativity of local artists and creators while sparking conversation about the transformation of Waterloo Greenway into a series of urban parks and trails around a restored Waller Creek. Throughout the 9-day event, Creek Show will illuminate Waterloo Greenway with light-based art installations nestled among the beautiful new park spaces and gathering spots of the Confluence for the entire community to enjoy, in partnership with Creek Show founding partner, AIA Austin.
“We are so excited at AIA Austin to embark on the 2026 Creek Show journey at Waterloo Greenway’s newest stretch near Lady Bird Lake,” says AIA Austin Executive Director and Creek Show Artistic Director Ingrid Spencer. “Partnering with Waterloo Greenway, we invite architects, landscape architects, and designers to embrace this opportunity to showcase local talent and celebrate the ongoing transformation of Waller Creek.”
Artists are challenged to explore different Waller Creek-inspired themes in their Creek Show submissions, ranging from environmental stewardship to our community’s rich history. Submitted proposals will be reviewed by a committee of local leaders from the design and art community, and selected teams will be announced later this spring.
Creek Show applications must include:
- A compelling story about Waller Creek and/or Waterloo Greenway
- Engaging design for attendees
- High-spectacle concepts
- Usage of common materials in uncommon ways
- Light as an integral element of the installation
Waterloo Greenway will host information sessions to walk through project goals, the submission process, and provide tips on preparing a successful application and installation. There will also be a best-practices Q&A with former Creek Show artists, designers, and fabricators.
Creek Show Call for Ideas Info Sessions
Tuesday, March 24, 1:00pm
Virtual
Tuesday, March 31, 1:00pm
In person at AIA Austin, 801 W 12th St
Visit creekshow.com to learn more and submit your ideas.