Call for Artists: Belwin Bison Festival
Location: MN — Twin Cities Metro
Type: Call for Submissions
Categories:
Public Art
Deadline: 03/21/2025
No entry fee required
Open to artists statewide
Paid opportunity ($350)
Belwin Conservancy is looking for artists to create interactive ecologically minded art with the public. The art should connect with the surrounding prairie and/or the Bison and is created in collaboration with the public at Belwin’s Annual Bison Festival on Saturday May 17th, 2025. Applications of interest are due on March 21, 2025.
EVENT
Name: Belwin Bison Festival
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields, 15601 Hudson Road, West Lakeland, MN
Welcome a herd of bison from NorthStar Bison to their summer home, Belwin’s restored 250 acre Bison Prairie in Afton, MN. This event celebrates the bison’s critical role in helping Belwin maintain and improve our restored prairie. Events scheduled for the day of the release include a 5k “Run with the Bison”, eco arts and science activities, live music, and food trucks.
SCHEDULE
9:30 am: Artist(s) arrives at festival grounds to set up materials for art project
10:00 am: Bison Festival opens with activities in tent and 5k “Run with the Bison”
12:00 pm: est. time for Bison Released into Bison Prairie (pause on activities in tent until release is over)
2:00 pm: end of Bison Festival
GOALS
* Create art with the public on site.
* Create art with non-toxic materials (example: prairie grasses found at Belwin Conservancy).
* Educate the public about materials found on the prairie, how they function, and why they are important to the survival of all species.
COMPENSATION
Each artist (or group) will be paid $350 total.
TIMELINE
Application Process: Go to https://forms.gle/DYjyNaiFFq4dbsaR6 to submit three images of your work, a statement of interest, and provide contact information.
Submission Dates: February 1 2025 – March 21st, 2025
Notification of Selected Artists: March 28th, 2025 (by email)
Event Date / Time: Saturday, May 17th, 2025, 10am – 2pm
Location: Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields, 15601 Hudson Road, West Lakeland, MN
Questions:
Susan Haugh – susan.haugh@belwin.org
Amanda Hanlon – amanda.hanlon@belwin.org
Belwin Conservancy – 651-436-5189