As Minneapolis bolsters its commitment to honoring Indigenous peoples and their storied connection to the Mississippi Riverfront, a new call for artists has been announced to design a public artwork for Water Works that pays tribute to the sacred Dakhóta site of Owámniyomni. In an initiative set up in partnership with the City of Minneapolis, this call actively seeks artists or artist teams, with a pointed invitation towards Native American/American Indian/First Nations individuals, to collaborate closely with the Dakhóta community to create a meaningful piece.
This artistic endeavor is not just about adding another aesthetic element to the bustling Mill Ruins Park area; it is to meaningfully represent a locale dense with Dakhóta cultural heritage. Full details of the engagement have been outlined, and interested artists should look to visit the City of Minneapolis Call for Artists page to fully acquaint themselves with the specifics. They're encouraged to submit their questions to Lydia Four Horns by May 14, 2025, with the deadline to submit applications set for May 28.
To provide artists with all the information they need, several informational meetings have been scheduled throughout April, ranging from online sessions to in-person gatherings at notable Indigenous community centers and cultural hubs. These sessions aim to offer comprehensive guidance and foster discussions directly with the local community, the impact of which will hopefully resonate through the creative proposals submitted.
Accessibility is a pivotal component of the call for artists, with the invitation explicitly stating that the material is available in "other formats, including audio or large print," according to the statement obtained by the Minneapolis Parks announcement. Moreover, for artists who might need to bolster their application crafting skills, one-on-one support is made readily available. This gesture underscores the significance placed on inclusivity and the desire to see a diverse range of voices reflected in the submissions.
