Call for Artists for an Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
| Location: | North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Mar 30, 2026 |
| Due: | May 1, 2026 |
| Agency: | City of Bismarck |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Title: |
Call for Artists for an Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
|
| Category: | Planning |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
City of Bismarck
221 North 5th Street
P.O. Box 5503
Bismarck, ND 58506
Call for Artists
ART AND HERITAGE
DISCOVERY TRAIL
ISSUED
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
DEPARTMENT
March 30, 2026
May 1, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. CST
Planning
Call for Artists:
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
City of Bismarck
Planning
Table of Contents
Summary.....................................................................................................................................1
Project Overview..........................................................................................................................2
Project Goals ...........................................................................................................................2
Project Location .......................................................................................................................2
Project Theme ..........................................................................................................................2
Artist Eligibility..........................................................................................................................3
Art Eligibility .............................................................................................................................3
Artist Incentive.............................................................................................................................3
Community Profile .......................................................................................................................3
Resources ...................................................................................................................................3
Schedule of Process ....................................................................................................................4
Submittal Instructions..................................................................................................................4
Required Proposal Contents.........................................................................................................5
Evaluation Criteria .......................................................................................................................5
Other Information ........................................................................................................................6
Call for Artists Cover Sheet...........................................................................................................9
Call for Artists:
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
City of Bismarck
Planning
Summary
Call for Artists:
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
Schedule:
Event/Process
Call for Artists Issued
Deadline for Questions
Date questions will be answered through an
addendum posted on the city website
Proposal Deadline
Evaluation period by selection committee
Selection by City Commission
Development of artist agreements
Artist selections announced
Finalize artworks and narratives and sign installation
Sign unveiling event
Date(s)
March 30, 2026
April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
April 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
May 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
May 4 – May 15, 2026
May 26, 2026
May 27 – June 12, 2026
June 15 – 19, 2026
June 22 – July 31, 2026
August 1-30, 2026
Any interested individual or party may request to be on an email list to receive updates on the Call for
Artists process, including addenda to the Call for Artists if any are issued. The city may alter this Call
for Artists at any time.
Submittal Instructions:
Proposals must be received by the City of Bismarck no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on May 1, 2026.
Proposals received after this deadline will not be accepted. Send proposals and direct questions
regarding the Call for Artists to:
Lauren Oster
Planner
P.O. Box 5503
Bismarck, ND 58506
laoster@bismarcknd.gov
1
Call for Artists:
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
City of Bismarck
Planning
Project Overview
This Call for Artists is seeking artists to provide digital local literary art, visual art, performance art,
or other creative media to be shared via QR codes on semi-permanent signs throughout Bismarck,
ND. Twenty art pieces will be shared digitally via the QR codes, and one visual artwork will be used
as the background for all the signs.
The City of Bismarck was awarded funding from the ND250 Community Initiatives Grant Fund,
administered by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, to create an Art and Heritage
Discovery Trail to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. In addition to
showcasing the art, each of the artworks will provide a narrative on the piece and an interpretation
on how the art celebrates the past 250 years of North Dakota’s people, places, innovations, and/or
achievements contributing to the nation’s story.
Project Goals
The City of Bismarck adopted its first Arts and Culture Plan on November 13, 2025, and is currently
working to complete its first Historic Preservation Plan in 2026. Both plans call out strategies to
create interactive and educational opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the arts,
culture, history, and heritage of Bismarck.
Additionally, the City of Bismarck adopted its Strategic Plan in June of 2019 with a goal to enhance a
vibrant local arts community. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Bismarck,
adopted in December of 2022, includes the following strategy: “Utilize art to create and strengthen
a memorable identity for the community, buildings, parks, and districts through permanent and
temporary installations.”
This project will support the implementation of those goals.
Project Location
Twenty signs with QR codes will be installed all over Bismarck, including in downtown and at the
Bismarck Airport. Additional areas may be identified as the project progresses.
Project Theme
The theme for the project is “Celebrating 250 Years of North Dakota and Its Heritage” with sub-
categories described below. Artists are encouraged to submit artworks that fit these themes.
Artworks not related to the thematic categories will be accepted and reviewed.
• Culture of Bismarck/Burleigh County
• History of Bismarck/Burleigh County
• People of Bismarck/Burleigh County
• Landscape of Bismarck/Burleigh County
• Innovations and Achievements of Bismarck/Burleigh County
2
Call for Artists:
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
City of Bismarck
Planning
Artist Eligibility
This Call for Artists is open to artists or groups of artists that are residents of Bismarck, employed in
Bismarck, or any other North Dakota artist. Submissions by novice and professional artists will be
accepted. Previous experience working on public art projects is not necessary.
Entrants under 18 years of age must have parental or guardian permission to submit. The parent or
guardian must sign the cover sheet along with the entrant for the submission to be eligible.
Selected artists will be required to complete and sign an artist agreement.
Art Eligibility
Art submitted for selection must comply with the following:
1. All artwork must be original pieces from the artist. It is not required to be a new piece and
can be an earlier work from the applicant. Art may not violate any copyright restrictions.
2. Artwork must appeal to a broad constituency.
3. Artwork may not contain advertisements, political messages, religious statements, adult
images, or inappropriate words or offensive language.
4. Only digital versions of the art should be provided. No physical artwork needs to be
provided.
Artist Incentive
The State Historical Society of North Dakota, through the ND250 Community Initiatives grant, has
provided at least a $325 per artist incentive for each complete artwork selected. If there are not
enough eligible submissions received, the incentives for artworks that are selected may be adjusted.
The incentive is to serve as compensation for the artists’ work and talent. Alternate selections will
not receive the incentive unless the artwork is selected.
Community Profile
Bismarck has been a key commercial hub for North Dakota since its founding in 1872. Bismarck
served as the major shipping center for the military, freight, and settlers via the steamboat trade,
and, as Bismarck developed, the city grew into the financial, warehousing, and retail center of the
region. Bismarck has been home to several noteworthy hotels, restaurants, shops, and clubs,
representing the thriving social atmosphere of the capital city. It has been host to several United
States presidents, artists, celebrities, athletes, and residents throughout its time. Bismarck’s role
as the capital city of North Dakota creates an additional opportunity for artists to highlight in their
pieces. This opportunity to utilize and share Bismarck’s role in North Dakota’s history is a chance to
experience the capital city from a local perspective, expanding beyond the general North Dakota
narrative.
Resources
1. Art and Culture Plan
2. Strategic Plan
3
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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