Kiosk Art Project
CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
The Bemidji Downtown Alliance (BDA) received a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council for the Blue Kiosk Art Project. The project is designed to highlight the natural charm of Downtown Bemidji by highlighting original artwork on information kiosks located at key street corners. Each kiosk will display two unique art pieces, offering artists the chance to help shape the community’s visual landscape. The selected artworks will be professionally photographed, and these images will be reproduced on vinyl sheets for installation on the kiosks. (To view the first complete kiosk, visit the corner of 3rd Street and Beltrami Ave).
Please send any questions regarding this application to: kiosks@bemidjidowntown.org
Artist Submission Guidelines
Eligibility is limited to artists residing in Reg2Arts Council area: Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen counties. The project welcomes applicants of all ages and is open to everyone, regardless of race, sex, religion, nationality, or disability.
Five artists will be selected for this project. Each artist will create two images per kiosk, with both designs reflecting their individual style and complementing each other. Artists will earn $350 for each image, amounting to $700 in total. After the project ends, a public artist reception will showcase completed artworks and allow artists to sell their designs.
Selected artists will get two pre-cut MDO sign boards (15″x34″) for their art, which will be enlarged to 30″x68″ vinyl images for kiosks. Artists must pick up boards in Bemidji and supply their own paint.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Community Arts Support Grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, funded by an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund and from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
To Apply
Artists need to upload three work samples created in the past three years.
Artists may submit up to four sketches per proposal. Each sketch must be 7 1/2″x17″ to match final art specs.
The artwork should highlight the unique qualities, natural beauty, and cultural heritage of the Bemidji community. Only paintings made using traditional techniques are accepted; digital art is not permitted.
Designs must not contain offensive content or promote any business, product, or opinion. Political themes are not allowed in submissions.
Each image installed will list the name of the artist, the title of the work and grantor credits. Artists retain ownership of their artwork but grant BDA a license to use them on kiosks.
All submissions must follow the application guidelines and be received by April 17, 2026. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Artists are responsible for ensuring their proposals are received.
Selection Process:
A committee from local arts organizations and community representatives including Bemidji Downtown Alliance, City of Bemidji’s Public Arts Commission, Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, Bemidji Sculpture Walk, Watermark Art Center will select artwork. Judges will assess entries on artistic quality, craftsmanship, originality, and their potential contribution to Bemidji’s culture and community.
Project Timeline:
Call for Art: February 16 – April 17, 2026, Deadline
Artist Notification by: May 15, 2026
Final Work Delivered by: August 7, 2026
Kiosk Installations: August 24, 2026
Artist Reception: Fall 2026 Date to be determined.
