Call for Entries: 2025-2026 Spring Series of Outdoor Sculpture Exhibits
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY: February 28, 2025.
The Midwest Sculpture Initiative is proud to be organizing 7 outdoor sculpture exhibits for the 2025-2026 “Spring Series”. All exhibits feature the following benefits to the exhibiting sculptor:
stipends of $1000. (paid to sculptor at time of installation);
high visibility sites;
year-long coordinated media promotions;
most venues offer guided tours and brochures;
exhibits posted on the MSI website (www.msisculpture.com) with links to and from the host websites;
concrete pads and installation services;
strongly encouraged sales (MSI has proven year after year that it can sell sculpture, ask the many happy sculptors);
and MSI, with the ‘host’, will provide liability insurance (sculptor supplies damage and loss insurance).
All fall exhibits begin approximately May 1st 2025, and conclude April 15th, 202
THE EXHIBITS
1. 20th Annual Sculpture on Ford Road in Canton (Michigan) an upscale, rapidly developing, western suburb of Detroit that is focused on involving the arts into the everyday life of its citizens. This year-long exhibition is sponsored by the Canton Downtown Development Authority with assistance from the Canton Public Art Committee. The exhibition will be comprised of sculptures along a three-mile stretch of Ford Road. Currently, 42,000 vehicles a day travel this site. This community wide exhibit exposes the artwork to the residents and the hundreds of thousands of annual visitors to Canton, Michigan. Stipend: $1000.
2. 20th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition at the University of Toledo (Ohio). This campus wide exhibit exposes the artwork to 25,000 + students, faculty, staff and visitors over the year long exhibit. The University of Toledo has an active sculpture purchase program and a desire to grow the exhibit in scope and scale, therefore, some sculptors may be asked to exhibit their piece for two years with an additional stipend being paid. Stipend: $1000.
3. 18th Annual Art Trail Tecumseh the City of Tecumseh (Michigan) is a vibrant community, located 25 miles southwest of Ann Arbor, Michigan and 45 miles northwest of Toledo, Ohio. Tecumseh is home to 8,700 residents. Noted as one of the first three original settlements in Michigan. Tecumseh is proud of its past, this is clear in the historic downtown district. An interesting mix of specialty shops and dining options fill the buildings that have stood watch over Chicago Boulevard for over 150 years. Historic downtown Tecumseh provides an ideal setting for a public sculpture program. Stipend: $1000.
4. 16th Annual City of Hastings Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition Hastings (Michigan) is a vivid example of a community that works to provide a quality of life for all citizens. Hastings has been rated as one of the "best" in the book “The Best Small Towns in America” by Norman Crampton. Hastings is a community that actively supports public art as exhibited by their rapidly growing permanent collection. Stipend $1000.
5. 13th Annual Fenton Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition the City of Fenton (Michigan) is conveniently located in lower mid-Michigan with access to the U.S. 23 expressway giving easy access to Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing and Detroit within an hour drive. Since 1995, the City of Fenton has experienced a boom in both housing and business. With a trend in apartment and condominium living. The median age in 34 and the median income is $55,637. Many Fenton residents earn their livings in the field of education, health, social services and manufacturing. Stipend: $1000.
6. 12th Annual City of Belleville and Van Buren Township Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition the City of Belleville is nestled on beautiful Belleville Lake in the heart of Van Buren Township. From scenic parks to an all-American main street lined with shops and eateries, Belleville is a delightful waterfront community. The City and Township offer family friendly festivals, events and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Waterfront recreation, a traditional downtown, Van Buren Township's Belleville Road commercial corridor, plus easy access at the crossroads of I-94 and I-275, make the Belleville Area Community an outstanding place to live, work and play. Stipend: $1000.
7. 8th Annual Fostoria Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition Fostoria, Ohio was established in 1854 and is located at the convergence of Hancock, Seneca and Wood Counties in Northwest Ohio. It is approximately 40 miles south of Toledo and 90 miles north of Columbus. Fostoria is best known for its famous glass production years and for its abundant rail traffic that continues today. Visitors travel from many different states and even countries, to visit out historic city. Train enthusiasts love our beautiful Iron Triangle Rail Park for panoramic viewing of 100+daily trains. Others visit the various museums that are dedicated to Fostoria Glass as well as namesake's Governor Charles Foster memorabilia and other notable pieces from Fostoria's history including a Fostoria-manufactured Allen Car and WWII-era Seagrave fire engine and more. Residents and visitors alike enjoy our seasonal Farmer's Markets from May-September. Stipend: $1000.
WHAT TO SUBMIT (AS MANY PIECES AS YOU WANT!)
Work durable enough to withstand the harsh Michigan/Ohio/Indiana winters and suitable for public viewing;
completed and signed entry form;
JPEG digital images on a CD including: 1 or 2 views of each work, filenames must include: corresponding number to the image list, artist’s last name, title (03_Rodin_Thinker). Images must be at least 72 dpi; please DO NOT use all caps on the digital images’ filename or insert your information onto the image
image list including image number, artist name, title, material(s), dimensions in feet, weight, retail price; (40% commission charged on sales) and installation requirements;
current professional resume;
one paragraph artist's statement (if you’re Irish and/or an English major it can be longer);
resume, artist's statement, and image list must be in PDF format on the CD. Please do not email as an JPEG.
no electronic signatures
Submission tip: Do not be afraid to re-submit pieces that may not have been accepted in previous years or that have been in previous MSI exhibits (example: just because it was in Canton last year doesn’t mean it can’t go to Toledo this year! Also, remember jurors are fickle!)
SUBMISSIONS SNAIL MAILED or HAND DELIVER TO:
Bridgid Thompson
Midwest Sculpture Initiative
11993 East U.S. 223
Blissfield, MI 49228
Questions: 517-759-0119 or contact@msisculpture.com
SUBMISSIONS E- MAILED TO:
contact@msisculpture.com
PLEASE NOTE: Please follow all the instructions above and 'attach' JPEG photos and PDF files of printed materials. Do not put them in the body of the email. We will send a confirmation e-mail.
All Calls for Entries and previous Midwest Sculpture Initiative exhibits can be seen at www.msisculpture.com
Note: We can relocate your work from show to show, for a fee of course.
Call 517-486-4591 for more information.