New York, NY — The New York City Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNYC) announces the call for submissions for the 2026 Lumen Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in lighting design.
Each year, the Lumen Awards celebrate projects that exemplify excellence, professionalism, ingenuity and originality, showcasing how exceptional lighting transforms spaces and elevates the human experience. The program honors lighting design that redefines architectural beauty, enhances the built environment, or creates emotional connections through light—continuing the ongoing dialogue of design innovation.
Award Categories
- Lumen Award of Excellence — The highest level of achievement for a permanent architectural application.
- Lumen Award of Merit — Recognition of meritorious achievement for a permanent architectural application.
- Lumen Citation — Special recognition for a permanent or temporary lighting installation, technical detail, portion of a single project, or other exceptional lighting work.
Eligibility
The Lumen Awards are open to interior or exterior lighting design projects completed within two years of the submission deadline. Projects may be re-submitted during the years they remain eligible.
Projects must meet one of the following criteria:
- Designed by a New York City metropolitan area–based designer(s) for a project located anywhere in the world; or
- Located within the New York City metropolitan area, regardless of the designer’s location.
The NYC metropolitan area includes the five boroughs of New York City and the NY counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk, as well as Fairfield County, CT, and the Northern NJ counties of Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, and Union.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Friday, January 9, 2026
For eligibility details, submission requirements, and entry forms, visit https://lumenawards.secure-platform.com/a
Save the Date
The Lumen Gala is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers, in New York City, where this year’s award winners will be celebrated.
About the Lumen Awards:
Founded in 1968 by IESNYC, the Lumen Awards were created to publicly recognize exceptional lighting design. Over the decades, the awards have highlighted the best of the lighting profession, celebrating projects that demonstrate innovation, creativity, and technical expertise in the field.
About the IESNYC
IESNYC (www.iesnyc.org) is the New York City Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society. The IESNYC is a volunteer professional membership organization whose members share a mutual appreciation for and fascination with all things lighting. They are lighting designers, architects, engineers, consultants, lighting manufacturers, lighting representatives, electrical distributors, and allied professionals. IESNYC members are dedicated to promoting the art and science of illumination engineering to their members, professionals, the lighting industry, and the public through inspiring events, informative programs and educational series, social outreach, and networking opportunities.