CALL FOR ARTISTS |
CALL FOR ARTISTS |
Bemidji Regional Airport Artwork Commission
Deadline: September 30, 2026
R2Arts, AAIC, & BJI
Opening: September, 15th, 026
Deadline: October 15th, 2026
R2Arts and Sanford
Commission Budget: $5,000 (travel and installation costs covered by Region 2)
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
Funded by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment — Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (Line 3 Cultural Funds) Administered by Region 2 Arts Council | Anishinaabe Arts Initiative
Project Overview
Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) invites visual artists to apply for a commissioned artwork to be permanently or long‑term displayed inside the Bemidji Regional Airport terminal. This project is funded through the Minnesota Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Line 3 Cultural Funds) and supports the cultural heritage of the Bemidji region, including the artistic traditions uplifted through the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative.
The selected artist will create an original work that reflects the cultural, historical, or community identity of northern Minnesota and its Indigenous and regional heritage.
Commission Details
Total Commission Amount: $6,000
Funding Source: Minnesota Legacy Amendment — Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (Line 3 Cultural Funds)
Project Timeline:
Artist selection by September 30, 2026
Initial concept due November 30, 2026
Final artwork delivered by June 30, 2027
Eligibility
Artists must:
Reside in Minnesota, with preference for artists in the Region 2 service area.
Be eligible under Legacy Amendment guidelines (Minnesota resident).
Indigenous artists, especially Anishinaabe artists, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Artwork Requirements
The commissioned artwork must:
Be original and suitable for permanent or long‑term public display in the airport terminal.
Fit within the physical parameters of the designated installation space (provided after selection). The project will be mounted on a wall in a high-traffic area; it may consist of a single or multiple panels.
It should reflect Ojibwe artistic traditions (inclusion of florals)
Be delivered ready for installation by June 30, 2027.
Artist Responsibilities
The selected artist will:
Work under contract with Region 2 Arts Council.
Develop and submit an initial design concept for review.
Complete fabrication within the project timeline.
Collaborate with R2AC staff for approvals, documentation, and reporting.
Deliver the completed artwork to the Bemidji Regional Airport.
Installation will be performed by the Airport.
Selection Criteria
Artistic merit and originality
Cultural relevance to the Bemidji region and/or Indigenous communities
Feasibility within budget and timeline
Professional experience and capacity to complete the project
Alignment with Legacy Amendment requirements
How to Apply
Submit the following materials:
Artist statement
Portfolio (5–10 images of recent work)
Resume or CV
Brief proposal describing your concept direction for this commission
Contact information
Submission Deadline:
September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST
Submit Applications To:
Patrick Calder-Carriere, Executive Director Region 2 Arts Council Email: patrick@r2arts.org Phone: 218‑209‑7929 Mail: PO Box 693, Bemidji, MN 56619
Art of Healing: Fall
Currently the Art of Healing has a Summer Rotation until October 15th. The next application opening will be September 15th with a deadline of October, 15th.
Stay tuned for updated forms and information closer to September.
Eligibility and presentation requirements:
Open to all artists, regardless of medium, experience level, or background.
Works must be original and created by the submitting artist.
Collaborative pieces are welcome but must credit all contributing artists.
Works must be presentation ready.
Two-dimensional works must be framed or mounted and ready for hanging.
Small Three-dimensional works can be submitted as is, to be displayed in a locked case.
Labels must be securely attached with the artist's name, title, medium, dimensions, preferred form of contact and price (if applicable.)
Are you seeking artists? Would you like a call for artists put out for your event?
Tell us about it! If you are seeking to find artists in our area, please let us know by filling out the form to the right. Please include any information about your call, when is the deadline, what is the call for, who specifically are you seeking, or any additional information you would like staff to know. Please include a link to your website or wherever you would like the submissions to go, thank you!