"Heart of the Land, Spirit of Unity"
Region 3: Request for Qualifications – Artist/Creative Teams
ARTS ACROSS THE PRAIRIE: Placemaking in Rural North Dakota
Arts Across the Prairie (AAP) is a first of its kind, statewide Creative Placemaking program, developed by North Dakota Council of the Arts (NDCA). Eight large-scale art installations will be created that reflect the unique history, landscape, and cultural heritage as defined by Stakeholder Groups in each of these regions. All eight artworks will be placed in decidedly rural locations. (Rural = no buildings, no people!) The art installations will reference and represent the natural setting, as well as the cultural and economic history of each region.
Region 3 - Heart of the Land, Spirit of Unity
There are eight distinct regions in North Dakota. Region 3, located in north-central ND, is comprised of Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ransom, Rolette, and Towner Counties. Regional and local leaders from business, arts, education, and community were recruited as stakeholders to guide the development of one artwork and site to be the artistic, historical, and cultural representation for the eight counties. Since early 2024, the stakeholders have met to plan the sixth statewide Arts Across the Prairie project.
Region 3, home to both the Spirit Lake Nation and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, is a land shaped by water, story, and spirit. From the sacred waters of Mni Wakan—mistranslated as Devils Lake—to the rolling Turtle Mountains known as the heart of Turtle Island, this region holds deep spiritual and ecological significance. Its layered history includes Indigenous creation stories, French-Canadian missionary influence, and waves of European settlement that transformed the prairie into farmland. The landscape is diverse and powerful: sacred buttes rise toward the sky, northern lights dance above, and the wind moves through open fields and medicine gardens. Outdoor recreation, agriculture, and Native artistry thrive here, reflecting a culture rooted in resilience and reverence. The selected site in Lohnes Township offers a sweeping view of Devil’s Heart Butte and embodies the region’s subtheme—“Heart of the Land, Spirit of Unity”—inviting artists to create a work that honors the land’s complexity, celebrates its people, and connects earth, water, and sky.
Vision - Heart of the Land, Spirit of Unity
The vision is for a permanent large-scale art installation, and the finalist’s proposals should reflect their affection for and attention to place. Rural communities/residents will be living with the artwork for a long time, perhaps generations. The selection process for this project will also require the finalist’s ability to teach and share with others as we train future North Dakota artists in the outdoor installation process.
Who we are looking for, Timeline
Artists must live in North Dakota, or tribal reservations in SD, MN, MT, southern Manitoba, and/or southern Saskatchewan. Those with longstanding commitment to or history with these lands and communities may also be considered.
An artist or creative team may apply, although the total fee for the project will not change. Ideally, one would be an established artist, with experience in large-scale outdoor installations and public art and familiarity with placemaking, community work, and teaching.
The initial submission of materials deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026. From the submitted applications, only three finalists will be selected to submit project proposals. The Selection Committee will announce the artist/creative team for the Region 3 - Heart of the Land, Spirit of Unity, Arts Across the Prairie project at the end of May 2026.
The goals of Arts Across the Prairie are to:
- Strengthen cross-county networking and regional collaboration
- Promote tourism for in- and out-of-state visitors
- Stimulate economic activity and development in rural areas of North Dakota
- Build stronger arts communities across the state
- Invest in North Dakota artists by providing professional training and support
- Celebrate and leverage existing assets with an infusion of creative expression
- Heighten visibility of North Dakota’s creative sector and talent
Full Request for Region 3 Artist Qualifications
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North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout North Dakota and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.