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Do you have an event or activity that you want Region 2 Arts to add to the arts events calendar? Let us know! Fill out this form provided with information about your event, and a member of staff will review and add it to the events calendar. Please include any relevant information regarding location, dates, fees, if the event is funded by a grant, etc.
Looking for more events?
While Region 2 tries hard to ensure each event sent into us is put on our events calendar, some events mights slip through! If you would like to see the events calendars coming specifically from the organizations themselves, please visit the buttons below!
Calls for artists
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Calls for artists |
Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program
Deadline: Several, see info to the side
Who?: MAEP
It’s Only Clay Competition and Exhibition (IOC)
Deadline: August 31st
Who?: Watermark Art Center
Deadline: August 25th
Who?: Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance
Established in 1975, the MAEP is one of the oldest juried art exhibitions at an American art museum. The program aims to assist emerging to mid-career artists in advancing their practice by producing or completing artwork for exhibition.
The MAEP Open Calls run from the first day of the month to the last Friday at 11:59 PM every February, June, and October. Applicants receive decisions 6 to 8 weeks after the deadline. One application is selected to exhibit within one year; for example, the October 2024 Open Call will be exhibited from November 2025 to February 2026.
October 1--25, 2024
February 1--28, 2025
June 1--27, 2025
October 1--31, 2025
Note that degree-seeking students and Mia's permanent staff are ineligible. More information, including program updates, blank floor plans, and a "tips for applying" brochure, can be found at new.artsmia.org/maep
Housed in the U.S. Bank Gallery at Mia, MAEP exhibitions and programs are free and open to the public. Thomas Putzier's "Grief & Bureaucracy" is on display at Mia until October 27, 2024. Up next is Roshan Ganu’s “रातराणी: Night Blooming Jasmine,” November November 23, 2024 - February 23, 2025.
Questions? Click here to book a 20-minute virtual meeting with the MAEP Coordinator.
The CALL is OPEN for Watermark Art Center's national 20th Annual It's Only Clay Competition and Exhibition (IOC).
IOC is an exhibit of functional ceramics judged in four areas: function, form/aesthetic, craftsmanship, and surface design. The 20th Annual IOC will feature a workshop and select works on display by Guest Artist and 2025 Juror, Nick DeVries. The exhibit will be on display November 7 to December 23, 2025. Cash awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place along with BSU Harlow Collection Purchase Awards.
Applications are due on or before August 31. Read the full prospectus,complete and submit the application at WatermarkArtCenter.org. Inquiries should be directed to Watermark@paulbunyan.net or call 218-444-7570.
IOC is a partnership between the Watermark Art Center and Bemidji State University Department of Technology, Art and Design. For more information regarding exhibits, classes, or events at Watermark visit WatermarkArtCenter.org. Watermark is accessible and there is no fee to view exhibits or to visit the retail gallery. Regular hours are Monday - Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Additional support for IOC comes from Paul Bunyan Communications and Bemidji Area Arts Endowment.
People’s Choice Art Competition
People’s Choice Art Competition with cash prizes
The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) in Morris, Minn., is looking for artists to compete in the Fall Into Art Festival art competition — with cash prizes — on Sept. 6, 2025 at East Side Park in Morris.
The theme for the art competition is “Nature in 3-D.” We are looking for original three-dimensional artworks that include nature motifs. These could be sculptures in any medium; 3-D artworks in wood, metal, ceramic, fiber, found materials,
glass, mosaic, concrete, mixed media; furniture; garden or yard art; planters, bird baths, rain barrel art, etc. Be creative and push the boundaries of three-dimensional art! All sizes accepted.
Artworks should have a minimum value of $100. All contest entries will be eligible for cash prizes and a free artist booth.
The Fall Into Art Festival is a fundraiser to benefit the PRCA, a local, volunteer arts organization. Contest entries will be considered donations to the PRCA and will be auctioned off in a live auction following the contest.
How to participate in the Fall Into Art Festival Art Contest
1. Create a 3-D artwork with a nature motif to enter into the contest. All works of art entered in the contest are eligible for $600 in cash prizes, to be awarded by audience voting on the day of the festival. People’s choice awards will be given for 1st ($300), 2nd ($200), and 3rd place ($100.00). All works of art entered in the contest will be considered donations to the PRCA, and will be auctioned off in a live auction following the contest. As part of the auction, artists will have a chance to speak about their art. Auction proceeds will benefit the PRCA.
2. Every artist who donates an artwork to the art contest also gets a FREE vendor space to display and/or sell their artwork during the festival.
3. Contest art must be original, have a nature motif, and be viewable in three dimensions (contest does not include traditional photography or paintings). 3-D works may be any size and medium.
4. Register your artwork by August 25, by e-mailing prca@prairierenaissance.org Please include your
name, address, phone number, the approximate dimensions of your artwork, and the value of your artwork. It is very helpful if you could include a photo of your contest piece. Also indicate if you would like to have a booth to display or sell your artwork.
5. Bring your artwork to Eastside Park, East 7 St., Morris, MN on Saturday, Sept. 6, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. This free outdoor art festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and includes live music, dancing, food and beverages, art vendors, and free art activities.
PRCA is also looking for artists vendors to participate in the festival.
For more information or questions, contact Diane Trew at 320-314-2262, or email her at
prca@prairierenaissance.org
PRCA 630 Atlantic Ave., Morris, MN 56267 320-585-5037
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!
2nd Street Stage: Mae Simpsons Music
2nd Street Stage will celebrate summer with free concerts in Downtown Park Rapid from June 13th to August 15th. “People tell us they look forward all year long to these special nights that celebrate summer, time to reconnect with friends, and enjoy some great music. Just remember to bring a chair!” The beer garden opens at 5pm for a social hour, time to meet social hour sponsors and buy this year’s collectible button for $2 off of beverages at the beer garden. Social hour and band sponsors offer a variety of activities and give aways as well as a prize at the end of the evening to someone with a lucky ticket. Bands are chosen for their musicianship and stage presence, and to represent various musical genres including modern bluegrass, rock ‘n roll, soul, blues, Cajun, pop, and even classic country. Many of the bands have played at First Avenue and other venues in the Twin Cities and/or a part of the Duluth music scene. For more information about all of the bands, please visit www.parkrapidsdowntown.com/events