Application Overview

Applicants who apply for the 2027 Call for Proposal series will follow a 2-Step process: 

Step 1
Applicants respond to preliminary questions regarding their exhibit proposal; they are asked to provide sample images of their work.

The CAEAC will review all Step 1 applications and narrow the selection (based on the provided scoring criteria); applicants who move forward will be invited to participate in Step 2.

Step 2
Invited applicants are asked to provide additional details regarding their exhibit proposal, as well as images of all exhibit didactics.

Additional exhibit details may be requested by the CAEAC, or by administrative support as a part of the review process. The Minnesota Capitol Preservation Commission (CPC) will have final determination of recommended exhibitions; the final selection will be announced by January 2026.

Timeline

• May 1 - July 6, 2025: Applications accepted for the 2027 Call for Proposal series
• By Sept. 1, 2025: Select applicants are invited to apply for Step 2 in the 2027 Call for Proposal series
• Oct. 12, 2025: Step 2 applications are due for the 2027 Call for Proposal series
• By January 2026: Finalists are announced for the 2027 Call for Proposal series

Requirements for Proposed Exhibitions

Exhibits must comply with (at least) one of the criteria outlined in Minnesota Statues 15B.36―that art exhibits should tell Minnesota stories and engage people to: 

1. reflect on Minnesota history;
2. understand Minnesota government;
3. recognize the contributions of Minnesota's diverse peoples;
4. inspire citizen engagement; and
5. appreciate the varied landscapes of Minnesota. 

Who May Apply

Scope

Proposed exhibitions may present in a variety of visual art mediums, primarily 2-dimensional with a limited capability for 3-dimensional works (or other forms) that can be reasonably and appropriately accommodated in the available spaces and are consistent with artistic themes laid out in Minnesota Statutes 15B.36. 

Exhibitions will be installed on the walls of the 3rd Floor Exhibit Gallery (predominantly by picture rail); a limited number of display cases are available for accompanying 3-dimensional work. Gallery dimensions and elevations are published on the Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee’s website.

All selected exhibitions will include a catered reception, marketing materials (including labels), and promotion through event listings and social media.

Other Considerations

• Exhibitions must be available, as proposed and installation-ready, during the 2027 calendar year for this Call for Proposal series.
  
  
• The 3rd Floor Exhibit Gallery falls within the Minnesota State Capitol’s policy on solicitation whereas your art may not be for sale in the gallery. While you may not offer art for sale or solicit donations, you may leave a guest book or your contact information (business cards, “contact the artist” list, etc.).
  
  
• Exhibitors will bear the cost of transporting their work and will not be compensated for the use of the work; neither transportation or installation should cause harm or damage to the property. Department of Administration staff will install all artwork. The artist or curator can provide input in collaboration with the Minnesota Historical Society, which supports the CAEAC.
  
  
• The exhibition should be sufficiently sized to fit the 3rd Floor Exhibit Gallery space. As an example for scale of the gallery dimensions, for an exhibition that consists of framed works 24-inch in width, approximately 30 framed works can be comfortably accommodated. Various sizes and installation designs may be considered.

How to Apply

Complete this 2027 Call for Proposal Application form (username: capitol.art@mnhs.org, password: Minn?sota2027?), and submit 5-10 representative images of the artwork that you propose to exhibit (.jpg format up to 10 MB in size) through this Google Drive folder (username: capitol.art@mnhs.org, password: Minn?sota2027?). Each image should be labeled with your name (Last_First), and the image number. Example: Frida Kahlo’s images would be labeled: Kahlo_Frida_01, Kahlo_Frida_02, and so on. Hard copy forms and electronic (or hard copy) images may be submitted via mail, or delivered in-person to:

Minnesota History Center
attn: Lindsey Rulon-Miller
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102

Evaluation of Proposed Exhibitions

Submissions will be reviewed by the Minnesota Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee in an open, public meeting and evaluated based on the 2027 Call for Proposals Scoring Guide. Artists/organizations that have submitted proposals will be able to observe, but not participate, in the review meeting. Based on the review, the committee will develop a list of exhibitions to recommend to the Minnesota Capitol Preservation Commission. The committee will work to develop a balanced list that addresses the five themes for artwork that are outlined in Minnesota Statutes; includes work from different disciplines, mediums, or genres; and includes a variety of artistic voices. The Minnesota Capitol Preservation Commission has the final say on which exhibitions are displayed in the Minnesota State Capitol.

To be considered for the 2027 Call for Proposal series, completed submissions (form and images) must be received by midnight on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Questions about the application process can be directed to Lindsey Rulon-Miller (Capitol & MNHS Sites Art Program Specialist, Minnesota Historical Society) at lindsey.rulon-miller@mnhs.org.

FAQ

Q. How does the application process work?
A. Applicants may apply between May 1 and July 6, 2025 for the 2027 Call for Proposal series. Select applicants will be invited to continue on to the second step in the process; they will be notified by Sept. 1, 2025. Finalists will be announced by January 2026.

Q. What are the deadlines?
A. Step 1 applications must be received by midnight on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Select applicants will be invited to apply for Step 2; deadlines will be communicated to applicants who move forward in the process.

Q. Who decides which proposals are successful?
A. The Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee will review all applications and evaluate based on the 2027 Call for Proposal Scoring Guide. The Minnesota Capitol Preservation Commission has the final say on which exhibitions are displayed in the Minnesota State Capitol.

Q. Can I submit a proposal on behalf of an organization or another person?
A. Yes. The organization or individual whose art is being represented will need to provide consent in later steps in the application process.

Q. Can I sell work that is displayed in the 3rd Floor Exhibit Gallery?
A. No. The 3rd Floor Exhibit Gallery falls within the Minnesota State Capitol’s policy on solicitation whereas your art may not be for sale in the gallery. While you may not offer art for sale or solicit donations, you may leave a guest book or your contact information (business cards, “contact the artist” list, etc.).

Q. Who pays for costs related to installation, travel, supplies, frames, mounts, etc?
A. Exhibitors will bear the cost of transporting their work and will not be compensated for the use of the work; neither transportation or installation should cause harm or damage to the property. Department of Administration staff will install all artwork.

Q. What sources of funding are available to support my work, if my proposal is selected?
A. Applicants may apply for state or regional support (grants); please contact your regional arts council to learn more about financial support.

Q. What is the role of the Minnesota Historical Society?
A. The Minnesota Historical Society provides administrative support for the Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee; they are not a voting member of the committee.

Q. Who do I contact with questions about the proposal or program?
A. Lindsey Rulon-Miller, Capitol & MNHS Sites Art Program Specialist at lindsey.rulon-miller@mnhs.org

Q: How do I access the Google Drive to submit my images?
A. You will need to log in with username: capitol.art@mnhs.org, password: Minn?sota2027? to get access to the Google Drive. Submit your images Each image should be labeled with your name (Last_First), and the image number. Example: Frida Kahlo’s images would be labeled: Kahlo_Frida_01, Kahlo_Frida_02, and so on.