LIVING WATERS, PAINTED SKIES
Region 2: Request for Proposals – Artist/Creative Teams
ARTS ACROSS THE PRAIRIE: Placemaking in Rural North Dakota
Arts Across the Prairie (AAP) is a first of its kind, statewide Creative Placemaking program, developed by North Dakota Council of the Arts (NDCA). Eight large-scale art installations will be created that reflect the unique history, landscape, and cultural heritage as defined by Stakeholder Groups in each of these regions. All eight artworks will be placed in decidedly rural locations. (Rural = no buildings, no people!) The art installations will reference and represent the natural setting, as well as the cultural and economic history of each region.
Each of the eight installations will be selected through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process which includes two phases with separate application deadlines. The RFP process has been completed in Regions 1 and 4 with artists chosen and installation plans in development. Region 2 is next to announce a Request for Proposals.
Region 2 - Living Waters, Painted Skies; Third AAP Installation
North Dakota has eight distinct regions. North central North Dakota’s Region 2 is comprised of Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, and Ward Counties. Regional and local leaders from business, arts, education and community were recruited to formulate a roadmap for the development of one site to be the artistic, historical, and cultural representation for the seven counties.
NDCA is working with Lillian and Coleman Taube Museum of Art to facilitate the Region 2 project. The Stakeholders have met online since January 2022 to plan the third Arts Across the Prairie installation.
The Vision: Living Waters, Painted Skies
The vision is for a permanent large-scale art installation, and the finalist’s proposals should reflect your affection for and attention to place. Rural communities/residents will be living with the artwork for a long time, perhaps generations. The finalist selection for this project will also require the ability to teach and share with others as we train future North Dakota artists in the outdoor installation process..
Who we are looking for, Timeline
An artist or creative team may apply; the total fee for the project will not alter. You must be an established artist, with experience in large-scale outdoor installations, public art, placemaking or placekeeping, community work, and teaching.
The initial submission of materials deadline is December 1, 2023. From the submitted proposals, only three finalists will be selected to submit project designs. The Selection Committee will announce the artist/creative team for the Region 2 - Living Waters, Painted Skies, Arts Across the Prairie project, by February 8, 2024.
The goals of Arts Across the Prairie are to:
- Strengthen cross-county networking and regional collaboration
- Promote tourism for in- and out-of-state visitors
- Stimulate economic activity and development in rural areas of North Dakota
- Build stronger arts communities across the state
- Invest in North Dakota artists by providing professional training and support
- Celebrate and leverage existing assets with an infusion of creative expression
- Heighten visibility of North Dakota’s creative sector and talent
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The North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout North Dakota and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.