Project Information

Bid Title

Call for Artists for an Art and Heritage Discovery Trail

Issuing Agency

City of Bismarck

Location

North Dakota

Published Date

Mar 30, 2026

Closing Date

May 1, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	Call for Artists for an Art and Heritage Discovery Trail
Category:	Planning
Status:	Open

Description: The  City of  Bismarck 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. Publication Date/Time: 3/30/2026 12:00 PM Closing Date/Time: 5/1/2026 5:00 PM Submittal Information: City of Bismarck Planning Department, 221 N 5th St, Bismarck, ND 58506 Special Requirements: PDF, MP3, and MP4 files are preferred Related Documents: Art Heritage Discovery Trail RFP

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City of Bismarck

221 North 5th Street

P.O. Box 5503

Bismarck, ND 58506

Call for Artists

ART AND HERITAGE

DISCOVERY TRAIL

ISSUED

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

DEPARTMENT

March 30, 2026

May 1, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. CST

Planning

Call for Artists:

Art and Heritage Discovery Trail

City of Bismarck

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:

Art and Heritage Discovery Trail

City of Bismarck

Planning

Summary

Call for Artists:

Art and Heritage Discovery Trail

Schedule:

Event/Process

Call for Artists Issued

Deadline for Questions

Date questions will be answered through an

addendum posted on the city website

Proposal Deadline

Evaluation period by selection committee

Selection by City Commission

Development of artist agreements

Artist selections announced

Finalize artworks and narratives and sign installation

Sign unveiling event

Date(s)

March 30, 2026

April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST

April 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST

May 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST

May 4 – May 15, 2026

May 26, 2026

May 27 – June 12, 2026

June 15 – 19, 2026

June 22 – July 31, 2026

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

1

Call for Artists:

Art and Heritage Discovery Trail

City of Bismarck

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

2

Call for Artists:

Art and Heritage Discovery Trail

City of Bismarck

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

3

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 711510Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers

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