FLYWAYS, BYWAYS, & WATERWAYS
Region 6: Request for Qualifications – 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 first phase is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from artists and/or creative teams. During the second phase, the top three candidates will be asked to submit proposals. The RFP process has been completed in Regions 1 and 4 with artists chosen and installation plans in development. Region 2 is in the second phase of the process. Region 6 is next to begin with a Request for Qualifications.
Region 6 - Flyways, Byways, & Waterways; Fourth AAP Installation
There are eight distinct regions in North Dakota. South Central, Region 6, is comprised of Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells Counties. Stakeholders - regional and local leaders from business, arts, education, and various communities - were recruited to formulate a roadmap for the development of one site to be the artistic, historical, and cultural representation for the nine counties. The Stakeholders Group came together and met online for over a year to plan the fourth statewide Arts Across the Prairie project.
Vision - Flyways, Byways, & Waterways
The vision is for a permanent large-scale art installation, and the finalist’s proposals should reflect their affection for and attention to place. Rural communities/residents will be living with the artwork for a long time, perhaps generations. The selection process for this project will also require the finalist’s 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 Friday, January 26, 2024. From the submitted applications, only three finalists will be selected to submit project proposals. The Selection Committee will announce the artist/creative team for the Region 6 - Flyways, Byways, & Waterways, Arts Across the Prairie project at the end of March 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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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.