2025 Artist Open Call

Residencies & Fellowships at Franconia Sculpture Park

Applications Due 11:59pm on Sunday, June 8th

Franconia Sculpture Park is historically supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. We have the capacity to host at least 42 artists-in-residence annually. We waited four extra months to see whether the over $200,000 in Federal support we anticipated could be deployed this year, and still have capacity to host more artist-residents in 2025-2026. 

We are re-launching our Open Call with the resources we have to offer artists: one Midcareer Artist Fellowship ($10,000), four Emerging Artist Fellowships ($5,000), and one Billboard Artist in Residence ($2,000). The application period is short, due by 11:59pm on Sunday, June 8, so that awards may be quickly announced (June 21, at Franconia’s Pride celebration) to honor the ideal outdoor work season at Franconia. All work is expected to be completed in time for a new Art and Artists Symposium on September 20, 2025. 

Because of the leadership and work of Dakota and Ojibwe artists at Franconia in 2025, this Symposium will center on “Two-Eyed Sight” – seeing through the strengths of both indigenous and western ways of knowing for the betterment of all. Two-Eyed Seeing was introduced by Mi’kmaq Elders Albert D. Marshall and Murdena Marshall from Eskasoni First Nation, in Nova Scotia. 

This theme is central to the exhibition on display this year in Franconia’s Mardag Gallery, featuring Artist-Astronomer-Activist Annette S. Lee. Founder of Native Skywatchers and a leader internationally in both Astronomical and Artistic communities, Annette came to use this metaphor by looking at the stars through both Indigenous and Western lenses. 

While this theme serves to guide the park’s tens of thousands of annual visitors, it also helps elevate the multiple perspectives artists and audiences hold today.

Bilboard Project Residency

• $2,000 award

• Design featured on two high-traffic billboards

• 2-week on-site residency

• Ideal for visual artists & graphic designers

• 1 Opportunity awarded

All Franconia Residents Receive:

• Access to Franconia’s Work Pad: tool sheds, welders, large gantries, outdoor workspace. New! Residents have access to a bobcat/skidsteer and 16’ crane truck, in addition to Franconia’s used pickup and large forklift. 
• Free accommodation in Franconia’s Artist Residence: private bedroom, two kitchen areas, office, shared bathrooms & laundry, great wifi. 
• Support from Franconia’s Site Council during fabrication and installation.
• Inclusion in the 2025 Two Eyed Seeing publication, symposium, and annual report.
• Respect. Led by and supported by artists, Franconia strives to set a high level of discourse that amplifies the lifelong impact communities like Franconia offer artists and art-lovers.

Important Application Information

About Franconia Sculpture Park

Founded in 1996, Franconia Sculpture Park is the Midwest’s pre-eminent, artist-centered sculpture park. Franconia’s mission is to foster an inclusive community to create and contemplate contemporary art inspired by nature and our ever-evolving world. Located in the scenic St. Croix River Valley of Minnesota, Franconia operates a 50-acre outdoor museum, an active artist residency program, and an impressive schedule of more than 60 public programs each year. We cultivate critical dialogue between artists and audiences; support artists through producing and presenting new, experimental work; and educate artists and audiences of tomorrow. We create programming that is responsive to the wants and needs of artists, and our rural community. Franconia focuses on providing space for underrepresented voices to be heard, leading to the diverse collection of work on display at the park. It is imperative to present these voices in rural Minnesota, and Franconia is able to do so free and open daily to the public.

Accessibility Statement for Artists

In the case that an individual artist with a disability requires ADA accommodations to perform job duties at Franconia Sculpture Park appropriate accommodation and adjustments will be made to the job and work environment to allow the individual to perform job duties.

Franconia complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, and all applicable state or local law.  Consistent with those requirements, Franconia will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create a undue hardship.  If you believe you need an accommodation, refer any such request to the Executive Director.  Franconia will also, where appropriate, provide reasonable accommodations for an employee’s religious beliefs or practices.