EVENT LINK: https://artsmidwest.org/about/updates/call-for-pitches-short-form-video-from-your-community-winter-2025/

FEE: Free to apply

Call for Pitches: Short-Form Video from Your Community

Arts Midwest is looking for more community documenters: people with a passion for documenting creativity around them. Film 8–10 short, vertical phone clips of local art, culture, or community life, and get paid to help us amplify Midwestern creativity!

We’ll handle the editing, scripting, and posting on our channels. You’ll get credit and $250 for your footage and a short write-up.

Want to get involved? The first step is to tell us what’s happening in your community by submitting a pitch via our online form. Right now, we’re looking for events, activities, and creative happenings that will take place between December 8 – January 30.

Bring the view from your corner of the Midwest, and we’ll help share it with others.

EVENT LINK: https://www.dlstreetfaire.com/applications

FEE: Free to apply - see link for booth and vending fees

Call for Applicants

Street Faire at the Lakes

Friday & Saturday, May 29- 30, 2026

The 26th Annual Art & Craft Experience, Downtown Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Applications Open: December 1st 2025

Applications Close: May 28th 2026 (or until we have reached capacity)

The Historic Holmes Theatre is gearing up for the 26th annual Street Faire at the Lakes in beautiful Downtown Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, May 29-30th. HHT, as a part of the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center, has dedicated itself as a hub of arts to the area, and works to uplift and organize for the vibrant and thriving arts community in the region. With 130 artist booths, Street Faire at the Lakes is the first outdoor art show of the season in the Lakes Region and takes place on the beautiful Washington avenue in Detroit Lake’s downtown center. We see thousands of shoppers in We are looking for vendors who are ready to sell handmade/designed/crafted wares to visitors in the lakes area. Vendors are required to be present for the two full days of the faire. This is the earliest street faire in the region this year (happening before the Edina Art Fair the first weekend of June) and we always have a great turn out!

Jury Process:

All artist applicants, when filling out an application, must submit 4 digital images for jury process -- 3 images of work and 1 image of booth display. Artist images will be viewed anonymously and scored by a panel of jurors based on originality and craftsmanship. No scores or explanation of results will be given. Artists will be invoiced for booth payment upon acceptance.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• -December 1st 2025- Applications will open online.

• -February 2nd 2026- The first round of Jurying will be complete for anyone who applied from

• December 1st to January 30th and applicants will be notified of their status.

• March 2nd 2026-  The end of Early Bird pricing. The second round of Jurying will be completed for anyone who applied from January 31st to February 28th and applicants will be notified of their status.

• April 30, 2026 - Last day for full refund (cancellation request must be received in writing)

• May 1, 2026 - All certificates of insurance must be received.

• May 28, 2026- Food Vendor registration & set-up from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Artist registration & set up from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

• May 29, 2026 - Final registration & set up from 6:30 - 9:00 a.m. All artists/vendors must be ready by 9:30 a.m. Show opens at 10:00 a.m..

Booth Prices:

11 X 11 foot space: Early Bird $195 After March 1st $245

22 X 11 foot space: Early Bird $390 After March 1st $490

33 X 11 foot space: Early Bird $585 After March 1st $735

Corner Booth Request is an additional $60

EVENT LINK: ndmoa.com/limited-time

FEE: $40 entry fee

Limited Time Only | 2026

Exhibition Dates: February 5 – 22, 2026

Calling All Regional Artists

NDMOA invites all practicing artists to submit an original artwork to our non-juried exhibition titled “Limited Time Only.” This exhibition is a celebration of regional talent, showcasing dozens of artists across all media. The artwork will be on display for three weeks, but past shows have been some of the Museum’s most popular, drawing hundreds of guests. Imagine an exciting array of art from the Red River Valley and surrounding areas to brighten our lives in winter. This year we will also feature one cash prize and one people’s choice award.

Eligibility: If you are a serious artist from North Dakota, Southern Manitoba, neighboring Minnesota, and northern South Dakota, you are invited to submit one artwork of your choice to Limited Time Only.

Dates: The show will be fully installed by Thursday, February 5, 2026, and run through Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Delivery of Art: Museum staff will be on hand to receive works Monday, January 26-Friday, January 30, 2026, during the Museum’s regular hours: 9 am – 5 pm.

Entry Fee: $40.00 paid prior to or when the work arrives at the Museum.

Sale of Art: All work must be for sale and priced according to your current retail sales expectations. Remember, artists establish the sale price and split proceeds 50/50 with the Museum or you may choose to donate the proceeds to the Museum.

For inquiries: Anna Sigridur Arnar aarnar@ndmoa.com or 701-777-4195

See event link for full detail and to apply.

EVENT LINK: https://www.heartlandarts.org/pages/sculpture-trail/sculpture-trail.php

FEE: Free to apply

Call for Submissions
Park Rapids Sculpture Trail | 2025–2026

The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission invites artists to submit work for the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail for the 2025–2026 season.

A suggested theme of Water has been identified for this cycle. Submissions are not required to reflect the theme, but works that do may receive priority consideration.

Important Dates

• Entry Deadline: Monday, March 23, 2026

• Notification of Selection & Alternates: April 1, 2026

• Installation Deadline: May 14, 2026

• Opening & Guided Walk: May 16, 2026

• Sculpture Removal Window:

  • May begin as early as April 19, 2027

  • Must be completed by May 12, 2027

Questions & Contact

Lu Ann Hurd-Lof
📧 Email: luann47@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 218-820-2716

EVENT LINK: https://www.artsidc.org/call-for-artists

FEE: Free to apply

Call for Art: Electrical Box Wraps in Alexandria, MN

We are transforming electrical boxes around Alexandria into works of art—and your design could be featured on the next one!

• Artist Compensation: $400 per selected artwork (up to 4 artworks may be displayed on a single box).

• Exhibition: Wrapped boxes will be displayed at sponsoring businesses throughout Alexandria.

• Submission Requirements: All design entries must be submitted with a completed artist application (form below).

• Artwork Eligibility: Artists may submit new original designs or propose the use of existing original work. Existing works must not currently be displayed within 30 miles of Alexandria.

• Selection Process: All submissions will be reviewed by the City of Alexandria, Alexandria Light and Power, and The Arts Initiative committee. Approved designs will be included in an online design catalog, from which sponsors will select the final artwork.

EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org/think-off/the-great-american-think-off/

FEE: Free to apply

Call for Submissions / Contest / Live Debate

Great American Think-Off 2026:
Essay Contest + Live Debate

2026 Think-Off Question:
Is the pursuit of happiness making Americans unhappy?

The Great American Think-Off is a national philosophy contest and celebration of civil discourse, now in its 33rd year. Each year, people from across the country submit short essays responding to a timely question rooted in everyday life.

The 2026 question invites reflection and spirited debate on American culture, well-being, and what it truly means to live well today:

Is the pursuit of happiness making Americans unhappy?

Four essay finalists will be selected to travel to New York Mills, Minnesota for a weekend of community and conversation, culminating in a live debate for the title of America’s Greatest Thinker.

Key Dates

✅ Essay Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
✅ Finalists Announced: May 1, 2026
✅ Live Think-Off Debate: Saturday, June 13, 2026 (second Saturday in June)

Essay Guidelines

• Length: Up to 750 words

• Take a clear position on the question

• Root your response in personal experience

• No fee to enter

Finalist Support / Prize

Each finalist receives:

• $500 cash prize

• Travel reimbursement, lodging, and meals

• Chance to compete in the live debate on June 13, 2026

How to Submit

Submit your essay by April 1, 2026:

• Online: think-off.org (submission page available via kulcher.org/think-off/submit-your-essay)

• Email: info@kulcher.org

• Mail: NYMRCC, PO Box 246, New York Mills, MN 56567

More Info

Website: think-off.org
Phone: 218-385-3339

EVENT LINK: https://www.powderhornartfair.com/exhibit

FEE: Varies—see link for fees

Powderhorn Art Fair

Apply today!

The 35th Annual Powderhorn Art Fair is a fine arts and crafts festival that will take place in Powderhorn Park on Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd. 
 
In 2025, our art show welcomed over 17,000 record-breaking attendees over the two-day event. There are several ways for artists, local vendors, and community partners to participate!

Please note:** All fees are non-refundable. All artists must be at least 18 years of age. 

For further information contact events@ppna.org

EVENT LINK: https://grandmaraisartcolony.org/events/arts-festival/artist-info/

FEE: $35.00 (Jury Fee - non refundable)

Call for Applicants—Grand Marais Arts Festival

Arts Festival Applications are Open!

The Grand Marais Arts Festival is a juried fine arts festival and a microcosm of the Midwest arts scene. The event is known for its high-quality exhibitors, scenic location on the North Shore of Lake Superior, strong art-buying crowd, and exceptional support amenities for festival artists.

* Application deadline: February 23, 2026

* Invitations Issued: March 16, 2026

* Festival dates: July 11 – 12, 2026

Quick Facts:

• Average attendance: 9,500+

• Average booth sales: $3,400

Amenities and Unique Features of the Grand Marais Arts Festival

• Artist Support | The Art Colony provides application support and a small number of photo shoots to develop your portfolio and strengthen your application

• Overnight Security | is provided both Friday and Saturday nights

• Exceptional Volunteers | provide short booth breaks and other support

• Community Support | Local businesses support the event and its promotion

• Exposure | Marketing campaigns for the Arts Festival annually reaches over 2 million people