Artist Call for Community Altars

Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Fruitvale Village | Oakland, California

For 31 years, the Fruitvale Día de los Muertos Festival has brought together artists, families, and community members to honor those who came before us while celebrating the traditions that continue to shape our lives today.

This year's theme, "La Lucha Continúa: Aquí estamos y no nos vamos," (The Struggle Continues: We Are Here and We're Not Leaving) builds upon the affirmation we made to our community last year. Rooted in the histories of civil rights, immigrant justice, and community organizing, it reminds us that the struggle for dignity, belonging, and the right to remain rooted in our communities continues today.

At a time when many families face displacement, uncertainty, and injustice, we draw strength from the generations who came before us. Their resilience inspires us to continue building community, preserving our traditions, and caring for one another.

This year, that spirit will be embodied in the arrival of a 34-foot Monumental Catrina, handcrafted by master artisans in Mexico City. With her outstretched arms offering welcome and embrace, she honors both the journeys many families have taken to El Norte and the sacred return of our ancestors during Día de los Muertos. As we gather to build altars, share stories, and remember those we have lost, we reaffirm that our histories, our cultures, and our communities endure.

¡La lucha continúa!

We invite artists, families, students, organizations, and community members to participate in this creative opportunity to celebrate Día de los Muertos and contribute to this year's festival.

Create an Altar

A traditional or contemporary Día de los Muertos altar (ofrenda) honoring a loved one, community member, historical figure, cultural tradition, or cause.

Selected artists will receive a $500 materials stipend to help offset production costs. Please review the altar guidelines below before completing your application. 

 

Considerations for Your Application

We receive many applications for creating artwork at the Día de los Muertos Festival. The Unity Council will give preference to altar applications with the following characteristics:

• Altars that incorporate most of the traditional elements listed on the following page
• At least 30% of the altar should include handmade or natural materials, such as fresh marigolds, papel picado, paper flowers, traditional foods, candles, textiles, or other artist-created components.
• Past participation in Día de los Muertos Festival and high-quality work in the past. 
• Application received on time, completed, and submitted through the proper channels. 
• Relationship to the 2026 theme: “La Lucha Continúa: Aquí estamos y no nos vamos”.
• The application contains drawing, sketch, diagram, or photographs of proposal.
• Artists from Fruitvale or neighboring areas in Oakland will be given priority

Violations of festival guidelines articulated in the "Participant Agreement" and shared during the mandatory orientation on Thursday, October 1, 2026, may result in disqualification from participation the following year.

If merchandise is sold without prior approval during the celebration, you will forfeit your participation stipend.

Important Dates:

• Applications are due Friday August 28, 2026
• Artists who are selected will be notified by Monday, September 4, 2026
• Mandatory orientation Thursday, October 1, 2026
• The Día de los Muertos Festival is on Sunday, November 1, 2026

Applications Submitted Online Only

If you have any questions about the application or experience issues with the online form, email us at bmartinez@unitycouncil.org or call us at 510-359-1916.

Requirements for Altars:

This year is the 31st  anniversary of the Día de los Muertos festival in Oakland, and the theme is “La Lucha Continúa: Aquí estamos y no nos vamos”. The Unity Council is committed to preserving the traditional arts surrounding the Día de los Muertos altars, but it also welcomes creative contemporary interpretations.

To preserve the artistry and sensory richness of Día de los Muertos altars, applicants are expected to incorporate a meaningful amount of handcrafted or organic elements into their designs. We recommend that at least 30% of the altar include handmade or natural materials, such as fresh marigolds, papel picado, paper flowers, traditional foods, candles, textiles, or other artist-created components. While commercially purchased decorations may be used to complement the altar, they should not be the primary visual focus.

Selected altar makers will be assigned a 10'x10' space (approximately the size of a parking space). A canopy and table will be provided, but you will be responsible for filling that space with your creations. Selected artists will receive a $500 materials stipend to help offset production costs. You will be required to be present the day of the event to build and narrate your creation. At the end of the day, you will need to dismantle and remove your altar.

Below is a set of guidelines to help you determine your altar category.

Photo by Evelyn Orantes Consulting: Altar by La Clinica de la Raza

Traditional Altars: 

The Unity Council requires that traditional altars remain faithful to the traditions of this holiday by incorporating specific elements into their design. Please review the elements that are required and highly recommended below.

Altars must contain:

• Arch / gate at the front of each altar representing the entrance
• Tiered or Elevated structure or "heart" of the altar - traditionally a 9 level platform where offerings are presented
• Lights - traditionally represented with candles (artificial flames only)
• Smoke - traditionally represented with burning of copal on a copalera
• Traditional Flowers for Day of the Dead - Marigolds
• Offerings of Food - examples of traditional foods offered include: Tamales, Mole: red, green,
• Bread of the dead, Chocolate, Fruit: oranges, bananas, mandarins, Grains: corn, beans
• Decorative Cloth
• Sugar skulls
• Photos of those who are dead
• At least 30% of the altar should include handmade or natural materials, such as fresh marigolds, papel picado, paper flowers, traditional foods, candles, textiles, or other artist-created components.

Photo by Evelyn Orantes Consulting: Altar by Fred Alvarado

Contemporary Altars
Contemporary altars offer artists the opportunity to interpret the traditions of Día de los Muertos through a modern lens. While they may depart from the structure of a traditional family altar, they should remain rooted in the spirit and visual language of the holiday.

Contemporary altars often honor a community, historical event, social movement, or current issue rather than an individual. They may explore themes such as immigration, social justice, environmental stewardship, public health, or other topics that reflect the experiences and concerns of our communities today.

Artists are encouraged to think creatively while maintaining a clear connection to Día de los Muertos. Strong contemporary altars typically incorporate recognizable elements of the tradition—such as marigolds, papel picado, candles or light, calaveras, offerings, photographs, or other symbolic references—in ways that support and strengthen the overall concept rather than simply decorate the installation.

Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate both artistic originality and a thoughtful understanding of the cultural traditions and symbolism of Día de los Muertos.

At least 30% of the altar should include handmade or natural materials, such as fresh marigolds, papel picado, paper flowers, traditional foods, candles, textiles, or other artist-created components.

Online applications should be completed through the JotForm link we provided in our initial email.

 Applications Submitted Online Only

Applications must be submitted on August 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR APPLICATION