ABOUT CRITICAL
Critical Northwest is an official Burning Man regional event sponsored by Ignition Northwest.
2024 THEME: AS ABOVE, SO BELOW
THE TEN PRINCIPLES
Consent in All Things
Radical Inclusion
Gifting
Decommodification
Radical Self-Reliance
Radical Self-Expression
Communal Effort
Civic Responsibility
Leave No Trace
Participation
Immediacy
CODE OF CONDUCT
Conduct is expected to be of the highest standards and must at all times be appropriate for a family setting. The following are strictly prohibited and may result in expulsion from the grounds and/or revocation of ticket:
- Unwanted, harassing or inappropriately lewd behavior or language
- Over-intoxication
- Use of illegal substances
- Any conduct that is criminal
- Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening injury or damage of another person or their property
- Use of firearms or fireworks
- Photography or video camera use without permission
- Transphobic, Homophobic, Sexist, Ableist, Racist, or Hateful actions, threats, or acts against any person
Ignition Northwest / Critical Northwest, at their sole discretion, reserve the right to revoke the ticket of and/or require any person to vacate the premises for reasons of nuisance, improper conduct or other rule violations, without refund of ticket fees.
Don’t forget to check out Ignition NW’s Code of Conduct as well.
TICKETS
2024 ticket sale dates will be announced soon!
PARTICIPATE
Critical NW Sound Policy
Sound plays an important role in how we interact and communicate with each other. A part of this is understanding amplified sound and how it impacts those surrounded in a shared auditory space. The purpose of the CNW Sound Policy is to have a respectful environment for each other and our hosts, the Masons. It is our shared responsibility to create an event which sustains positive experiences for all participants.
Sound Policy Breakdown:
- Daytime Hours:
- Weekdays: 8 a.m. – midnight
- Weekends (Friday – Saturday nights): 8 a.m. – 2 a.m.
- During Daytime Hours, registered sound camps’ amplified sound levels may not exceed 90 dBC at 20 feet from the source.
- During Daytime Hours, all other camps’ amplified sound levels may not exceed 70 dBC at 20 feet from the source.
- Night hours:
- Weekdays: 12 a.m. – 8 a.m.
- Weekends: 2 a.m. – 8 a.m.
- During Night Hours, registered sound camps’ sound levels may not exceed 80 dBC at 20 ft from the source (approximately the loudness of a vacuum cleaner or garbage disposal). We do our best to place registered sound camps so as to direct sound away from quieter areas.
- During Night Hours, all other camps are expected to limit all noise levels to conversational volume (60 dBC at 10 feet from camp boundary), and may not use powered subwoofers.
- Loudness will be measured with a C-weighted SPL meter
- No sound source, regardless of camp or time of day, may exceed 90 dBC at 20 feet from the source.
- Rangers and production team members will have access to audio measuring equipment and will be available to assist with questions or concerns about sound levels and policy.
- Quick Reference laminates will be given to registered camps as they check in.
Apply for Theme Camp Placement & Frontage Grants
We encourage tiny theme camps too! How big does a theme camp have to be? One person with an idea & a plan! Creating a small theme camp with interesting interactivity can also be a good way to get a vehicle spot!
Every Theme Camp needs to apply for placement. If you wish to be part of a village or to be placed adjacent to another camp, you can indicate that on the application. Should it be helpful, you can find a PDF of the application questions HERE. You will additionally be required to provide a camp layout and footprint plan, and can find guidelines for that HERE.
Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email that contains a link to edit your submission, in the event that you need to make any changes. Applications close Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 11:59pm.Apply Now »
Apply for Art Placement, Art Grants, and Workshops
You can find a handy PDF of the application form questions HERE. Remember to keep your confirmation email, as it contains a link to edit your submission in the event that you need to make any changes. Applications close Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 11:59pm.
Contact spacement@criticalnw.org with placement questions or grants@criticalnw.org with questions about grants.Apply for Art Placement/Grants »
FAQS
Please arrive prepared to survive for one week on the provisions you brought with you.
We may or may not be offering in/out passes for 2022 – this will depend largely upon the status of COVID-19 and local requirements for safety at the time of the event.
We encourage all participants to bring water with them to help protect the water table onsite. That said, fresh, potable water is available at no charge at several locations around the event site and will be marked on the map provided for you. You can ONLY fill your water containers, no cleaning or dumping of any sort is allowed at these locations!
Commercial for-profit photography is not allowed. Anyone with a camera must agree to and sign a camera waiver at the gate.
It’s important to remember that Critical is held in heavily wooded Washington state, and thus we don’t have endless space like a desert. If you want to camp in any wheeled vehicle AND you are not part of a theme camp, you are required to purchase an RV camping pass.
Yes, you do need to be an INW member in good standing to purchase a ticket and attend Critical.
CONTACT US
Ask your questions here.