2025 Call for Artists

2025 Call for Artists Details:

CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour: May 17, 2025 – April 2026.
Entry Deadline: October 1, 2024 by 5:00 P.M.

2025 CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour is currently seeking artists for our 14^th annual walk.

The CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour is an exciting exhibition of outdoor sculpture displayed in the heart of downtown Mankato and North Mankato. Each year the CityArt sculpture exhibition draws thousands of community members and visitors to explore the wonderful art, making the Greater Mankato arts community highly recognized throughout the state and region.

The sculpture tour is a collaborative program between Twin Rivers (TR), Greater Mankato’s arts commission, and the City Center Partnership (CCP), a downtown development organization representing Mankato and North Mankato. Both organizations are committed to creating a vibrant community through arts and culture programming.

Since its inception in 2011, CityArt has added 30 sculptures to the city’s permanent public art collection and sold 40 sculptures through public and private sale and has commissioned multiple works and installations for public and private clients, which have been completed by artists participating in the CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour.

CityArt is a member of the SculptureOne Partner Network, a sculpture exchange program that provides artists the opportunity to exhibit sculptures in seven different communities. The Sculpture One Partner Network is a consortium of outdoor sculpture exhibits in Mankato, MN; Eau Claire, WI; Mason City, IA; Webster City, IA; Sturgis, SD; De Smet, SD; and Maryville, MO. Artists must apply separately to the Partner Network if they would like to be considered for all seven programs.

What Sets CityArt Apart?
The CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour is managed by the CityArt Committee and is supported by full time staff from both TR and the CCP ensuring there is timely and clear communication between the program and the artists.  The staff work year-round promoting the sculpture walk and the artists to facilitate sales and make Greater Mankato an arts destination.

Teams of volunteers give of their time for take-down and installation making the process smooth and efficient. There is a strong partnership between the CityArt program and the cities of Mankato and North Mankato. Each city provides staff and needed equipment to assist our teams during take-down and install. As an artist, you can rest assured that your sculpture will be well managed and taken care of.

The CityArt installation weekend is full of fun, artistic events to make our artists feel welcomed by the community and appreciated for sharing their talents with us.

How It Works
The 2025 CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour will include approximately 30 sculptures in the core blocks of Mankato and North Mankato, MN. CityArt obtains sculptures on loan from selected artists and provides each artist $1,000 stipend per sculpture paid upon installation.  The sculptures are displayed for about one year (May to April).

Artist Stipend
$1,000 per sculpture

Shipping Reimbursement: Artists will receive up to $250 in shipping reimbursement if their sculpture is not sold and needs to be shipped back to them at the end of the tour. Anything over and above this amount is paid by the artist.

Awards

Juror’s Choice Award
The Juror’s Choice sculpture (the sculpture selected by the CityArt Committee Jury) is purchased by the CityArt program (up to $18,000) for permanent installation.

People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice sculpture (the sculpture with the most votes from the public) receives a $1,000 cash prize.

Best of Show Bronze – $1,000

Best of Show Other Material – $1,000

Accommodations and Reception
Artists will be provided a one to two-night hotel stay during installation weekend, depending on distance traveled. The artists’ welcome/reception dinner will be Friday evening May 16, 2025 at the local Mankato Brewery.

Sculpture Selection
Entries will be critiqued on artistic merit, creativity, public safety, and durability in an outdoor, cold weather climate. The CityArt Committee made up of representatives from TR, CCP, the cities of Mankato and North Mankato and local business and art leaders, lead the selection process. All artists will be notified by November 1, 2024.

Artist Call for Entries
CityArt is open to professional and amateur artists of all backgrounds. Artists may submit up to three (3) of their own original sculptures (in concept, composition, or execution). The entry fee is $35.00. We welcome all sculptures and asking prices.

This year’s application will be moving to an online only format. If you have questions or would like to fill out the application via a phone call, please contact Wyatt Miller.

To pay the $35.00 entry fee, please click here

Or make checks payable to

CityArt – PO BOX 293, Mankato MN, 56002

Other Information

• All sculptures need to be in like-new condition when delivered to the CityArt program. We highly recommend that bronze be sealed and steel be repainted.
• The bases have a stainless steel plate that some sculptures are welded to. If your sculpture is made from a metal that is not compatible with stainless steel, you need to attach a steel plate or steel welding tabs to the bottom of your sculpture to ensure the weld will hold.
• CityArt provides liability and Inland Marine (collision and comprehensive) insurance coverage on all sculptures while on display.
• CityArt provides installation and volunteer support during installation weekend in May and during take down in April.
• CityArt receives 25% commission on sculptures sold and on any commissioned sculpture.
• If a selected artist declines to include his/her work in CityArt, an alternative artist will be selected.

Timeline
August 19, 2024 – Call published on TwinRivers and CityArt Website, and to MNArtists
October 1, 2024 – Entry deadline
November 1, 2024 – Selected artists are notified by phone.
May 19, 2025 – Deadline for sculptures being shipped to Mankato
May 16, 2025 – Artist Reception
May 17, 2025 – Mankato sculpture delivery, installation
(No later than) November 15, 2025 – Juror’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards announcement

For more information contact
Wyatt Miller – Program Manager
507-508-7165 / wyatt@twinriversarts.org