---
title: "Call for Indigenous Artists: Public Art Installation Overlook Plaza Project La Crescent Minnesota"
description: $60,000 commission for an outdoor sculpture at Overlook Plaza, La Crescent, MN, open to Indigenous artists and artist-led teams of the Midwest.
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/1d54c734-11da-43ee-8032-ea7b2ce9c4d7
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-09-04"
updatedAt: "2026-09-26"
programType: Public art
organization: City of La Crescent Minnesota
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/city-of-la-crescent-minnesota
deadline: "2026-09-25"
location: Overlook Plaza, La Crescent, MN, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: $60,000 budget for the commissioned sculpture
disciplines:
  - sculpture
  - public art
---

# Call for Indigenous Artists: Public Art Installation Overlook Plaza Project La Crescent Minnesota

**Hosted by:** City of La Crescent Minnesota

**Type:** Public art | **Location:** Overlook Plaza, La Crescent, MN, United States | **Deadline:** September 25, 2026

## About This Program

> "Indigenous history, culture and resilience of the Mississippi River Valley and Driftless Region"

The city invites Indigenous artists and Indigenous artist-led teams with connections to what is now Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois and Montana to submit a proposal for an outdoor sculpture to be installed in May of 2027 at the proposed Overlook Plaza in downtown La Crescent. The public art sculpture may incorporate the use of languages, traditional teachings, symbols, and other cultural elements, honoring and reflecting on the fortitude and resilience of the Indigenous people with connections to this region. Proposals should give consideration to the site, materials, connection to the natural world, and how viewers will engage with the work.

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** Regional
- **Disciplines:** sculpture, public art
- **Age Requirements:** 18+ years old
- **Note:** Open to any Indigenous artist 18 years of age or older and/or Indigenous artist-led team who primarily live or work in the Midwest or that has an affiliation and connection to the area; artists must have connections to what is now Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois or Montana. Applicants must state their status as an American Indian identity, or enrollment status and/or ancestry in a project connected North American Indian tribe. An artist is defined as someone who has specialized artistic training (not necessarily in academic institutions), is recognized as a professional by their peers, is active in and committed to their art practice, has a history of public exhibitions, and has produced an independent body of work.

Submission limit: 1. Artist teams submit a single application indicating the Lead Artist. Artists must confirm availability to produce and complete the public art piece (ready for installation) by May 1, 2027.

### Additional Requirements

Artist statement (2 page max) including legal name, preferred name, pronouns (optional), address, phone, email, website and tribal affiliation; resume/references (2 page max) with artist bio and a list of at least three references familiar with your work including name, role, organization, addresses, phone numbers and emails; letter of interest (1 page max, no more than 200 words) describing how your work addresses perspectives of Indigenous people, your approach to Minnesota Indigenous culture and history, your artistic experience, your connection with Southeast Minnesota, and confirmation of availability to complete the work by May 1, 2027; proposal (1 page max) with a plan and description of the sculpture, rendering encouraged; budget (1 page max) with line-item expenses; portfolio of up to 10 images of past work plus links to audio or digital video (audio/video totalling no more than 10 minutes, public links) with a list of artworks or captions including title, year, medium, dimensions, location, description, commissioning body and budget; optionally up to three support materials such as reviews, news articles or web links.

Media limits: images min 1 / max 10, audio max 3, video max 3, total max 16.

## Compensation & Benefits

$60,000 budget for the commissioned sculpture

**Includes:** Commission fee

The artist is responsible for all associated expenses related to design, fabrication, transportation to the site and will coordinate installation with the city. Artists should factor these costs into their $60,000 budget. The City of La Crescent received a Blandin Foundation grant through their Boost Grant program to support the project.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** July 31, 2026
- **Deadline:** September 25, 2026

## Contact

**Email:** lkirch@cityoflacrescent-mn.gov

**Phone:** 507-895-4096

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17936