North Dakota Council for the Arts has request for qualifications for Arts Across the Prairie: Placemaking in Rural ND – Region 3 for Arts Across the Prairie: Placemaking in Rural ND – Region 3.

Placemaking in Region 3 – North Central North Dakota

Arts Across the Prairie: Placemaking in Rural North Dakota is a statewide, public art program from North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA). This program will create eight large-scale public artworks – one for each geographic region in the state – that reflect the unique history, landscape, and cultural heritage of each region. All eight works will be placed in rural locations.

Region 3, located in north-central ND, is comprised of Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ransom, Rolette, and Towner Counties. Regional and local leaders from business, arts, education, and community were recruited as stakeholders to guide the development of one artwork and site to be the artistic, historical, and cultural representation for the eight counties. Since early 2024, the stakeholders have met to plan the sixth statewide Arts Across the Prairie project. They selected as their project’s subtheme the phrase “Heart of the Land, Spirit of Unity.”

Who We Are Looking For

Artists must live in North Dakota, or tribal reservations in SD, MN, MT, southern Manitoba, and/or southern Saskatchewan. Those with longstanding commitment to or history with these lands and communities may also be considered.

An artist or creative team may apply, although the total fee for the project will not change. Ideally, one would be an established artist, with experience in large-scale outdoor installations and public art and familiarity with placemaking, community work, and teaching.

Application Timeline

• January 6, 2026 at 3:00pm CT: Informational Webinar; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by January 1 to receive log-in information
• January 15 at 11:59pm CT: Request for Qualifications is due (Phase One)
• March 1: Notify finalist candidates with detailed Request for Proposals (Phase Two )
• April 12 at 11:59pm CT: Finalist candidates’ Request for Proposals, with design proposal, are due
• Week of May 4-8, TBD: Online interviews with finalists
• Late May 2026: Final artist selection announced

How To Apply – Phase One

DO NOT submit a project proposal or design at this time. If you need reasonable accommodation, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It is recommended that all potential applicants join an informational webinar to be held on January 6, 2026, at 3:00 pm CT. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Thursday, January 1, 2026, by 5 pm CT to receive the Zoom link.

Click here to view the PDF document on how to submit qualifications.

Click here to view the PDF document.