Aberdeen Downtown Art Project Call for Art 2025
Area artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit original artwork that reflects the following theme:
“Prairie Living”
Interpretation of this theme can be representational or non-objective. Submissions can be new or
pre-existing artwork. Artwork submissions will be juried. The jurors will make selections using
the artwork image and information (title, medium, year created).
Selected artwork will be reproduced as a window cling that will be installed on Aberdeen
downtown storefront windows. The window clings will be on display during the spring and
summer of 2025. Determined by the Aberdeen Downtown Art Project jurors, the top four
artwork submissions will be awarded a cash prize. A People’s Choice Award will be awarded
based on public voting on the selected artworks. The Knight Foundation is a major supporter of
this downtown art project, with the intent to enhance the appeal and vitality of downtown and the
visibility of artists.
Eligibility
This call is open to residents of all ages and skill levels of the following counties in South
Dakota: Brown, Campbell, Day, Edmunds, Grant, Marshall, McPherson, Roberts, Spink, and
Walworth. Residents of Dickey County, North Dakota are eligible to submit artwork.
Entry Fee: Free to Enter
Contact Email: artscouncil@nvc.net
Deadline to Enter: Saturday, March 1st, 2025
Site Specifications & Materials
If selected, the artist will be notified by email. There is no guaranteed compensation for selected
artists. Compensation is limited to award recipients. The window clings become property of the
Aberdeen Area Community Foundation. Cost of producing the window cling will be funded by
the Aberdeen Downtown Art Project. The location of window clings will be determined by the
Aberdeen Area Community Foundation and Aberdeen Downtown Art Project.
Guidelines
1) Individual or teams are allowed to submit up to 2 designs. An artist can have their name on a
maximum of 2 entries.
2) Original designs only. Submissions can be new or preexisting artwork.
3) 2-Dimensional, 3-Dimensional, and digital art are accepted.
4) Artwork submissions should reflect the following theme, “Prairie Living.” Interpretation of
this theme can be representational or non-objective.
5) Artwork submissions cannot contain any advertising, logos, copyrighted or trademarked
items. Artwork submissions must not have any reference to drug, alcohol, and tobacco use or
address any social issues.
6) Use of text, words, or phrases should be limited. Profanity is not allowed.
7) For selected artworks, the jurors reserve the ability to revise and negotiate final designs.
Submission Requirements
1) Submit one high-quality image per artwork. The file must be formatted as a PDF or JPG file,
with preferred resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch), the file size around 5 MB. If selected, the
submitted image or file will be used to fabricate the window cling. Please make sure you
submit the correct, high-quality artwork image.
2) Include the following information for each artwork submission: artwork title, medium, year
created.
3)Tell us about your artwork submission! Brief statement explaining the artwork (maximum 100
words). One statement submitted per submission
4) All submissions must also include the following information: Name, Phone number, Email,
Hometown, Social media handle or website
Submitting Artwork
Art submissions may be submitted by Email or in-person by 5:00pm Saturday, March 1st, 2025
- Email submission can be sent to: artscouncil@nvc.net
- To deliver submissions in-person, please contact Jason Hill at Aberdeen Area Arts Council
(605) 226-1557 or artscouncil@nvc.net to schedule a time to drop-off submissions.
Selection Criteria
Artwork selections will be based on the following criteria:
- Interpretation of theme
- Execution of artwork
Awards
Determined by the Aberdeen Downtown Art Project jurors, the top four artwork submissions will
be awarded the following cash prize amount:
- 1st Place: $250
- 2nd Place: $200
- 3rd Place: $150
- Honorable Mention: $100
An additional People’s Choice award of $150 will be awarded during the Spring of 2025 after
the voting period. An Artist’s Reception is anticipated for Spring 2025 during which the top
three artwork submissions and People’s Choice award will be announced.
Liability
The sale or lease of a building is beyond the Aberdeen Downtown Art Project’s control. The sale
or lease of a building could affect the duration of an artwork. The Aberdeen Downtown Art
Project reserves the right to remove a window cling from a window location at any time. Every
effort will be made to notify an artist if an artwork is removed, however, it may happen without
the Aberdeen Downtown Art Project’s knowledge.
Timeline
Deadline to Enter: Saturday March 1st, 2025
Acceptance Notification: April 4th, 2025
Install window clings: April/May 2025
Every artwork cling will have this border design, sized to the proportions of the artwork. This
will feature the artist’s name, artwork title, hometown and method of contacting the artist (e.g.
social media/website):
For more information, and to view past participant art visit aberdeencommunityfoundation.com/aberdeen-downtown-artists-awarded-2/
About the Aberdeen Area Community Foundation
The Aberdeen Area Community Foundation was established in 1984 as a standalone 501(c)(3)
nonprofit corporation with a goal of creating a long-term funding source for charitable causes in
the local area. With careful investment, the fund will continue to grow and enhance quality of
life in the local area forever. This fund is one of more than 80 Community Savings Accounts in
partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation. For more information, visit
https://aberdeencommunityfoundation.com
About the Aberdeen Area Arts Council
The Aberdeen Area Arts Council enriches community life through the arts by connecting,
sponsoring, and encouraging art opportunities through education and experiences.
aberdeenareaartscouncil.com
About the Knight Foundation Aberdeen Fund
In 2004, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation created the Knight Aberdeen Fund with the
South Dakota Community Foundation to support Aberdeen. Funded with $2 million, it has made
more than 80 grants totaling over $1.3 million to more than 50 area organizations.