Call for Artists for an Art and Heritage Discovery Trail

City of Bismarck
221 North 5th Street
P.O. Box 5503
Bismarck, ND 58506
Call for Artists
ART AND HERITAGE
DISCOVERY TRAIL
ISSUED March 30, 2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE May 1, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. CST
DEPARTMENT Planning

Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
Table of Contents
Summary .....................................................................................................................................1
Project Overview ..........................................................................................................................2
Project Goals ...........................................................................................................................2
Project Location .......................................................................................................................2
Project Theme ..........................................................................................................................2
Artist Eligibility..........................................................................................................................3
Art Eligibility .............................................................................................................................3
Artist Incentive .............................................................................................................................3
Community Profile .......................................................................................................................3
Resources ...................................................................................................................................3
Schedule of Process ....................................................................................................................4
Submittal Instructions ..................................................................................................................4
Required Proposal Contents .........................................................................................................5
Evaluation Criteria .......................................................................................................................5
Other Information ........................................................................................................................6
Call for Artists Cover Sheet ...........................................................................................................9

Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
Summary
Call for Artists:
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
Schedule:
Event/Process Date(s)
Call for Artists Issued March 30, 2026
Deadline for Questions April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
Date questions will be answered through an
April 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
addendum posted on the city website
Proposal Deadline May 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
Evaluation period by selection committee May 4 - May 15, 2026
Selection by City Commission May 26, 2026
Development of artist agreements May 27 - June 12, 2026
Artist selections announced June 15 - 19, 2026
Finalize artworks and narratives and sign installation June 22 - July 31, 2026
Sign unveiling event August 1-30, 2026
Any interested individual or party may request to be on an email list to receive updates on the Call for
Artists process, including addenda to the Call for Artists if any are issued. The city may alter this Call
for Artists at any time.
Submittal Instructions:
Proposals must be received by the City of Bismarck no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on May 1, 2026.
Proposals received after this deadline will not be accepted. Send proposals and direct questions
regarding the Call for Artists to:
Lauren Oster
Planner
P.O. Box 5503
Bismarck, ND 58506
laoster@bismarcknd.gov
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Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
Project Overview
This Call for Artists is seeking artists to provide digital local literary art, visual art, performance art,
or other creative media to be shared via QR codes on semi-permanent signs throughout Bismarck,
ND. Twenty art pieces will be shared digitally via the QR codes, and one visual artwork will be used
as the background for all the signs.
The City of Bismarck was awarded funding from the ND250 Community Initiatives Grant Fund,
administered by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, to create an Art and Heritage
Discovery Trail to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. In addition to
showcasing the art, each of the artworks will provide a narrative on the piece and an interpretation
on how the art celebrates the past 250 years of North Dakota's people, places, innovations, and/or
achievements contributing to the nation's story.
Project Goals
The City of Bismarck adopted its first Arts and Culture Plan on November 13, 2025, and is currently
working to complete its first Historic Preservation Plan in 2026. Both plans call out strategies to
create interactive and educational opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the arts,
culture, history, and heritage of Bismarck.
Additionally, the City of Bismarck adopted its Strategic Plan in June of 2019 with a goal to enhance a
vibrant local arts community. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Bismarck,
adopted in December of 2022, includes the following strategy: "Utilize art to create and strengthen
a memorable identity for the community, buildings, parks, and districts through permanent and
temporary installations."
This project will support the implementation of those goals.
Project Location
Twenty signs with QR codes will be installed all over Bismarck, including in downtown and at the
Bismarck Airport. Additional areas may be identified as the project progresses.
Project Theme
The theme for the project is "Celebrating 250 Years of North Dakota and Its Heritage" with sub-
categories described below. Artists are encouraged to submit artworks that fit these themes.
Artworks not related to the thematic categories will be accepted and reviewed.
* Culture of Bismarck/Burleigh County
* History of Bismarck/Burleigh County
* People of Bismarck/Burleigh County
* Landscape of Bismarck/Burleigh County
* Innovations and Achievements of Bismarck/Burleigh County
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Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
Artist Eligibility
This Call for Artists is open to artists or groups of artists that are residents of Bismarck, employed in
Bismarck, or any other North Dakota artist. Submissions by novice and professional artists will be
accepted. Previous experience working on public art projects is not necessary.
Entrants under 18 years of age must have parental or guardian permission to submit. The parent or
guardian must sign the cover sheet along with the entrant for the submission to be eligible.
Selected artists will be required to complete and sign an artist agreement.
Art Eligibility
Art submitted for selection must comply with the following:
1. All artwork must be original pieces from the artist. It is not required to be a new piece and
can be an earlier work from the applicant. Art may not violate any copyright restrictions.
2. Artwork must appeal to a broad constituency.
3. Artwork may not contain advertisements, political messages, religious statements, adult
images, or inappropriate words or offensive language.
4. Only digital versions of the art should be provided. No physical artwork needs to be
provided.
Artist Incentive
The State Historical Society of North Dakota, through the ND250 Community Initiatives grant, has
provided at least a $325 per artist incentive for each complete artwork selected. If there are not
enough eligible submissions received, the incentives for artworks that are selected may be adjusted.
The incentive is to serve as compensation for the artists' work and talent. Alternate selections will
not receive the incentive unless the artwork is selected.
Community Profile
Bismarck has been a key commercial hub for North Dakota since its founding in 1872. Bismarck
served as the major shipping center for the military, freight, and settlers via the steamboat trade,
and, as Bismarck developed, the city grew into the financial, warehousing, and retail center of the
region. Bismarck has been home to several noteworthy hotels, restaurants, shops, and clubs,
representing the thriving social atmosphere of the capital city. It has been host to several United
States presidents, artists, celebrities, athletes, and residents throughout its time. Bismarck's role
as the capital city of North Dakota creates an additional opportunity for artists to highlight in their
pieces. This opportunity to utilize and share Bismarck's role in North Dakota's history is a chance to
experience the capital city from a local perspective, expanding beyond the general North Dakota
narrative.
Resources
1. Art and Culture Plan
2. Strategic Plan
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Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
3. Together 2045 Bismarck's Comprehensive Plan
4. Call for Artists Cover Sheet
Schedule of Process
The schedule of the Call for Artists issuance and evaluation process is intended to occur as follows.
This schedule may be revised by the Planning Director to accommodate unforeseen circumstances
or contract negotiations.
Detailed RFP Schedule:
Event/Process Date(s)
Call for Artists issued March 30, 2026
Deadline for questions April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
Date questions will be answered through an
April 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
addendum posted on the city website
Proposal Deadline May 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST
Evaluation period by selection committee May 4 - May 15, 2026
Selection by City Commission May 26, 2026
Development of artist agreements May 27 - June 12, 2026
Artist selections announced June 15 - 19, 2026
Finalize artworks and narratives and sign installation June 22 - July 31, 2026
Sign unveiling event August 1-30, 2026
Submittal Instructions
All proposals should be submitted in the preferred formats identified below. Digital files may be
transferred via email, and physical copies, if confirmed with staff, may be sent by mail or delivered
in-person to:
Lauren Oster
Planner
P.O. Box 5503
Bismarck, ND 58506
laoster@bismarcknd.gov
1. PDF, MP3, and/or MP4 files are preferred. Other formats may work - please contact staff for
confirmation before submittal.
2. Files shall be named ArtTrail_FirstNameLastName (...1/2/3 if submitting multiple)
3. The file(s) should be sent via email. Emails over 10MB in size will be rejected by City servers.
Email city project contact for an upload link to submit.
4. Please do not send .ZIP files.
5. The City is not responsible for communication errors. Applicants are advised to call the
Planning Department at 701-355-1846 to confirm that a submittal has been received.
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Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
Required Proposal Contents
Artists intending to submit art for the project should submit the following:
1. Call for Artist Cover Sheet
2. Image, voice, or video files (PDF, MP3, and MP4 preferred. See Submittal Instructions above.)
3. Draft Art Narrative - (one page maximum)
a. This should include information on how the art celebrates the past 250 years of North
Dakota, how it may inspire or educate North Dakotans to renew and strengthen our
democracy, and how it contributes to the nation's story as a whole.
4. Bio or Resume - (one page maximum)
5. Art Documentation - (one page maximum)
a. This should include, where applicable, the following:
i. Title of artwork
ii. Name of artist
iii. Art medium
iv. Dimensions
v. Year of artwork completion
Twenty-one artworks will be selected for this project. Twenty pieces will be shared digitally and can
be any type of art, including literary, visual, or performance. A singular visual artwork will be used for
the background of all the signs.
Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria will be used as a standard to evaluate all proposals fairly. The evaluation will be
conducted by a selection committee, and a recommendation will be presented to the Board of City
Commissioners.
The following criteria, not in any particular order of priority, will be used:
1. Project Theme (30%). The artwork is aligned with the project's proposed theme,
"Celebrating 250 Years of North Dakota and Its Heritage."
2. Community Connection (30%). The artwork will appeal to and provide an opportunity for a
broad range of people to connect with it.
3. Narrative (30%). The draft art narrative provides a clear interpretation on how the art
celebrates the past 250 years of North Dakota's people, places, innovations, and/or
achievements contributing to the nation's history.
4. Originality (10%). Artwork is original work from the artist, whether new or an earlier work.
The evaluation will be conducted by a selection committee consisting of the following:
* One representative from the Downtowners
* One representative from the Bismarck Historic Preservation Commission
* One representative from Dakota West Arts Council
* One representative from the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District
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Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
* One representative from the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau
* One City Commissioner and the City's appointed project liaison (non-voting member)
The selection committee will be presented with the art, art documentation, and the art narrative for
a brief discussion. The committee will then vote, and the top 21 will be selected. Up to three
alternates will be selected.
Other Information
Modifications to the Request
The City of Bismarck reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, make counter proposals and/or
engage in negotiations with any or all individuals, waive any requirements or otherwise amend this
Call for Artists, or cancel the Call for Artists in order to achieve the City's goals and objectives. Any
changes in the status of the Call for Artists will be brought to the attention of all parties that provide
contact information for updates. The information contained in this Call for Artists represents the
City's best information at the time of the release of the Call for Artists and the City reserves the right
to modify any term or condition contained herein.
Communications
The City prohibits communications initiated by a proposer to the City Official or employee evaluating
or considering the proposals prior to the time an award decision has been made. Any communication
between proposer and the City will be initiated by the appropriate City Official or employee in order
to obtain information or clarification needed to develop a proper, accurate evaluation of the
proposal. Such communications initiated by a proposer may be grounds for disqualifying the
offending proposer from consideration for award of the proposal and/or any future proposal.
Responsibility for Proposal Preparation
Except as otherwise specifically agreed to in writing by the City, all individuals submitting proposals
shall provide and pay for all materials, labor, transportation, charges, levies, taxes, fees or expenses
incurred, including all costs to prepare a response to this Call for Artists, travel and presentation
costs, and all other services and facilities of every nature whatsoever necessary for the preparation
of the Call for Artists.
It is neither the City's responsibility nor practice to acknowledge receipt of any proposals as a result
of the Call for Artists process. It is the proposer's responsibility to assure that a proposal is delivered
and received in a timely manner.
Civil Rights
Title VI assures that no person or group of persons may, on the grounds of race, color, national origin,
sex, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise
subjected to discrimination under any and all programs or activities administered by the City of
Bismarck.
The City of Bismarck will consider every request for reasonable accommodation to provide:
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Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
* An accessible meeting facility or other accommodation for people with disabilities,
* Language interpretation for people with limited English proficiency (LEP), and
* Translations of written material necessary to access City of Bismarck programs and
information.
Appropriate provisions will be considered when the City of Bismarck is notified at least 10 days prior
to the meeting date or the date the written material translation is needed.
To request accommodations, contact the City of Bismarck Title VI and ADA Coordinator, at 701-355-
1336. TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 711 or 1-800-366-6888.
No Conflict of Interest
No member of the Board of City Commissioners, member of the selection committee for this Call for
Artists, and any other officer, employee or agent of the City of Bismarck who exercises any functions
or responsibilities in the selection of a proposal, shall have any personal interest, direct or indirect,
in the project, unless said conflict is disclosed prior to any discussion and the member is recused
from participation in selection of an individual.
Open Records/Proprietary Information
The City of Bismarck recognizes that in responding to this Call for Artists, the proposer may desire to
provide proprietary information in order to clarify and enhance their response. To the extent
permitted by law, the City of Bismarck will keep confidential such information provided that:
1. The information submitted is arguably proprietary, and
2. The proprietary information is submitted in a separate file or section that is clearly identified
as containing proprietary information
Only information that is credibly proprietary may be included in the sealed portions of the submittal.
Inclusion of non-proprietary significant information in the sealed portions may render a submittal
ineligible.
Responders should note that the City of Bismarck is a municipality, and as such its files are available
for public review pursuant to the North Dakota Constitution Article XI, Section 6 and NDCC Chapter
44-04-18.
Ownership of Project Materials
Artist represents and warrants that the artist is the author, creator or sole copyright holder of the
material submitted to the City of Bismarck and that said material does not and will not infringe upon
any proprietary or intellectual property rights of any persons or entities.
The City and its assigns shall possess and own a copy of the digital files of the artwork as well as any
other physical items submitted by the artist through this project. The artwork may be manipulated by
others, in consultation with the artist, for use in future publications, websites, communications, etc.
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Call for Artists: City of Bismarck
Art and Heritage Discovery Trail Planning
The artist grants to the City and its assigns an irrevocable license to utilize and showcase the artwork
for the Art and Heritage Discovery Trail project. The artist also grants the City the sole discretion to
remove or replace the artwork for a new discovery trail theme, for any destruction or disrepair of the
associated sign, or for any other reasons.
The artist also grants to the City and its assigns an irrevocable license to post the digital artwork on
the internet and to make two dimensional designs of the digital artwork to be used for information
and other purposes, such as in brochures, media, publicity and catalogs or similar publications.
All images used by the city and its assigns will credit the artist and project name. Artists shall
indemnify the City and its assigns against any and all claims related to consideration, ownership or
use of the digital images.
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