Call for Sculpture (2025)

Silverwood Park is seeking proposals for outdoor sculpture to be installed in August 2025. One proposal will be selected and awarded a $10,000 honorarium to support its creation. The deadline is July 31, 2024. An info session will be held Monday, July 8 from 6–7 pm. The juror is Aaron Spangler.

Silverwood Park, a Three Rivers Park District facility located in St. Anthony, MN, is a 120-acre park devoted to the integration of artistic creation and nature-based experiences. The park features views of Silver Lake, restored prairie, and mature oak forests. The main visitor's center includes a gallery, café/coffee shop, sales gallery, and large event hall. Other amenities include education facilities, picnic sites, fishing opportunities, and paved trails. Nature-inspired artwork is exhibited in the gallery, performances are scheduled in a multi-use amphitheater, and art and nature classes are offered throughout the year.

Artists 18 years of age or older who primarily live or work in the Midwest are invited to submit proposals individually or collaboratively. Proposals are accepted for individual and collaborative works, including freestanding sculpture and site-specific installations. Preference is given to site-specific projects designed for Silverwood. Due to the 2-year duration, seasonal or ephemeral work will not be given priority. Materials should be appropriate to an outdoor environment and should not negatively impact natural habitat, wildlife, or park guests. Artists may suggest a specific location in the park, but the final site will be determined once work is accepted.

Proposals will be judged on artistic merit, capability, budget, and impact as evidenced by past work and supporting materials. A panel including Aaron Spangler and Park District staff will review proposals. Ideal proposals will support the mission of Silverwood Park. Work designed specifically for the park and interactive designs are encouraged.

The artist is responsible for all associated expenses related to design, fabrication, transportation, installation, de-installation, and removal. These costs should be factored into the $10,000 budget. Work is to be installed by August 2025. Limited assistance and equipment from Silverwood's maintenance department is available on a case-by-case basis at the park's discretion. Silverwood will provide signage, an audio stop associated with the work, and basic maintenance of the site. Upon installation, Silverwood will assume limited liability for gross damage or theft of the artwork, excluding ceramic, glass, and other fragile sculpture materials or damage resulting from faulty construction or materials.

The duration of installation is a minimum of 2 years, with work continuously displayed during this time. Silverwood Park reserves the right to request that the artist remove or repair a work at any time during this period if circumstances require. The artist retains ownership of the work. If agreed by both parties, the duration of display can be extended.

Submission materials must include: a 2-page maximum resume, 1-page maximum artist statement, a clear and specific proposal outlining the plan and description of sculpture with consideration given to location, materials, connection to the natural world, and viewer engagement, a 1-page maximum budget, 10 images with title, materials, size, year completed, dimensions, and optional description for each image, and one optional video for rendering of proposal. Artist notification will be by October 1, 2024. For further information, contact Eileen Cohen at [email protected] or 763-694-2091.