Apply for Art on the River 2026-27

Application Deadline

January 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST | Apply Now!

Theme: Stillness in the Driftless

"Stillness in the Driftless" has been selected as the theme for the 2026-27 exhibit by the Art on the River planning committee and is described as follows:

Stillness in the Driftless invites visitors to pause within the quiet beauty of the Mississippi River and the bluffs that cradle Dubuque. This theme reflects on the ways stillness allows us to listen to the landscape, to memory, and to one another. Featured works will explore presence, reflection, and connection, evoking the balance between movement and rest, solitude and community, nature and self.

Rooted in the distinctive terrain of the Driftless Region, the exhibit calls upon artists to capture moments of calm, contemplation, and belonging. Through form, texture, and light, selected works will encourage viewers to slow down, notice more deeply, and find renewal in the spaces between rolling river and rockface, sound and silence, past and possibility.

Artists are encouraged to submit proposals for existing sculptures as well as concept proposals for new sculptural work for this year’s exhibit. Both permanent and semi-permanent/temporary works will be considered. Successful applications will propose sculptures that draw upon the theme of stillness.

Program Details

Each year up to 11 sculptures are chosen for exhibit at highly visible locations along the picturesque Mississippi Riverwalk. A panel of jurors will review all applications submitted and make recommendations to the City of Dubuque's Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission, which advises City Council on the final selections. Chosen artists will be notified in early March 2026, with sculptures to be installed by Friday, August 7, 2026.

To Apply

There is no fee to apply. Artists may submit up to three applications; a separate application must be submitted for each sculpture.

Required Artist Information

Artist’s bio, resume, and cover letter
A statement or explanation of the proposed sculpture and other information related to the theme, materials, installation needs, and potential siting
Photos or renderings of multiple views of the proposed sculpture (minimum of 2, maximum of 4 images)
Two professional references

Artist Benefits

$1,800 honorarium ($1,000 upon agreement execution, $400 upon installation, and $400 upon removal)
A $1,000 Best of Show, chosen by the juror panel, awarded at the Grand Opening on August 7, 2026
A $200 People’s Choice as voted on through July 2027, awarded at the Grand Opening of the next exhibit in August 2027
The opportunity to interact directly with the public for approximately 2 hours at the Grand Opening event on Friday evening, August 7, 2026
Up to $200 in lodging and travel support related to installation or attendance at the Grand Opening event
Sales opportunity for exhibited sculpture

Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated on appropriateness to the theme, artistic merit, creativity, public safety, and durability in the outdoors. Work must be of the highest-quality design incorporated into its construction and be able to withstand adverse weather conditions (high winds, rain, heat, snow, and freezing temperatures) and an unsupervised general audience. Unstable, fragile, dangerous, publicly inappropriate, or small, lightweight works will not be accepted.

Installation/Removal

Selected artists will be responsible for delivering, installing, and removing their work of art, working closely with City of Dubuque staff. The City of Dubuque can provide installation assistance in the form of person power and some onsite transportation or moving equipment such as forklifts and cranes; needs should be detailed appropriately in the application. 

Works must be installed between August 3 - 7, 2026, in advance of the public reception on Friday, August 7, 2026.
De-install must take place between July 26 - July 30, 2027. Early pick-up of the work is not permitted.

Insurance and Sales

The City shall maintain insurance coverage on the work while on display at Art on the River for vandalism, theft, or damage. Insurance coverage is not provided on any works of art while in transit to or from Art on the River.

Artworks are encouraged to be for sale and will remain on display for the time frame noted in the Artist Agreement Form. The City of Dubuque will coordinate all financial transactions relating to the sales of artwork. During the year, special efforts will be made to promote the impact of public art to encourage purchase the sculptures. The City will receive 25% of the sale price of any sculptures sold during or as a result of the show, with proceeds supporting the long-term funding for the Art on the River program. Any unsold artwork must be removed by the artist at the end of the exhibition period.

Project Timeline

Monday, November 3, 2025 - Call for applications opens
Friday, February 16, 2026- Applications due by 11:59 p.m. CST
Week of March 2, 2026 - Artist notifications sent via email
August 3-7, 2026 - Delivery and installation of sculptures by artists
August 7, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. - Grand Opening Reception
July 26-July 30, 2027 - Removal of Work