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SDF 2026 IN[FLUX]:
Block Party Pop-Ups
What can you propose for a Pop-Up?
A Pop-Up is an interactive experience created to engage the community and address a design need through:
Hands-on Activities / Workshops / Design Stations
With limited setup and staff required for the event duration, Pop-Ups require a moderate level of commitment. Explore Past Pop-Up Programs on our SDF YouTube channel➔ or via last year’s Pop-Up Event Pages found as you scroll down on the SDF 2025 Archive page➔.
Format
- Deliver hands-on activity, design challenge, or design station
- Footprint of no more than 10×10
- Timeframe: Less than 4 hours, not including load-in and load-out (limited to 30 minutes each)
Commitments
- Safety: Manually transportable and structurally sound
- Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time
- Minimal Set-up: Less than 30 minutes to load-in and out
- Staff: At least one team member for the full duration of your Pop-Up
- Designate primary contact committed to consistent communication with the Festival Planning Team via Submittable to finalize scheduling, logistics information, and any updates to your proposal
- Demonstrate connection to IN[FLUX] theme and Festival Goals➔
- Consider accessibility holistically
- No selling goods or services
Timeline + Key Dates
Pre-Festival
- April 9 / May 7 + 19 Attend a Design Mixer to learn more about the Festival
- May 27 Submit your proposal
- June 15 Submit any final edits to marketing copy
- July 30 Attend the Partner Social
- Invite others to attend your scheduled program
During Festival
- August 15 & 16
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled window for set-up
- Engage our community at the Block Party for 1-4 hours
- Unload and remove all materials within 30 minutes of completion
- August 20 Celebrate at the Closing Party
Pop-Up FAQ
You can be creative and propose anything as long as it follows submission requirements. The Festival Planning Team is always available to assist in refining your concept for better engagement.
A great Pop-Up should be:
- Maximum 10’ x 10’ in size
- Manually transportable (suitcases, hand or pushcarts) with minimal set-up required
- Free of power tool use; they are highly discouraged
- Structurally sound and functional regardless of inclement weather
Festival organizers will provide up to (2) 6’ tables and (4) chairs. Access to power is not provided.
No, anyone is welcome to propose a Pop-Up regardless of professional experience.
Review our practical recommendations and tips➔ to ensure your experience is inclusive.
- Ensure that at least one member of your design team staffs your experience during your scheduled window, and is ready to engage with Festival-goers.
- Keep it simple and approachable while encouraging attendees to interact and ask questions.
Yes, we encourage all Pop-Up experiences to consider partnering with a local organization to address an immediate design need in our community.
- Preferred time window
- Demonstration of connection to IN[FLUX] theme and Festival Goals➔
- Plan for set-up
- Plans for community engagement
- Plans for accessibility and inclusion