Art on the River

AOTR Logo with Date

Art on the River goes Driftless!

The City of Dubuque is welcoming 7 new pieces of art into  the exhibit this year selected via a curated  invitational. This year the of Dubuque has committed to arts and culture by funding this outstanding program. In celebration the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission chose to honor our special corner of the world, the Driftless region.  Our 13th annual Art on the River exhibit is going to feature artists and artwork that celebrate the flora , fauna, people and culture of the Driftless region. 

Celebrate art and summer with us at our outdoor opening reception on August 3rd starting at 5:30 pm with the 3rd youth reception and tour starting at 4:30 with performances by youth musicians. The reception starts on the terrace of the Grand River Center where Mayor Roy Buol  will give an address and our curator David Wells  will discuss his selections for this year's exhibition.

Along the Mississippi River Walk will be complementary refreshments from local food trucks stationed all along the way* serving food and deserts.  Three concurrent musical performances will take place from the Alliant Amphitheater, to the Grand River Center Terrace and to adjacent to River's Edge Plaza. 


*while supplies last
.  


2017 Best in Show Winner

Art on the River is...


Leaf - Copy
Victoria_web
Always the Horrors of War_web

Public access to art


Art on the River public temporary art exhibit is located along the Mississippi Riverwalk in the Port of Dubuque. You can stroll the picturesque walkway near the Mississippi and view ten pieces of public art that will have you and your family talking, smiling and taking pictures. The exhibit will be on display through June 2017. The exhibit is free, can be viewed sunrise to sunset year-round, and is accessible.

Community support for the arts


Each year we assemble three expert jurors to select ten finalists from a highly competitive field of local and national artists. The final selections are unveiled at the opening reception each summer and are displayed for the entire year. The artists selected as finalists are awarded  $1,500 for displaying their artwork here in Dubuque for a year.

The City Council approved the creation of the Art on the River outdoor sculpture project In November 2005, and approved a budget of $300,000 over the next 10 years for this innovative initiative.

Opportunity for artists

Each piece is for sale but must remain part of the Art on the River display for the entire year. The City functions as a gallery and will take a commission on each sale to fund future exhibitions. For sales information, contact the Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator by email or by calling 563-690-6059. 
Best of Show
Peoples Choice Award

Downloadable Brochure and Maps


Click here to download a map of the sculpture locations. 
Find out more about sales information click here.
Download driving directions to the Port of Dubuque.