2026 CALL FOR SHANTY ARTISTS

Deadline for applications: 11:59pm CST – Thursday, July 24, 2025

We encourage you to review details carefully.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Artist Forum! Follow this link to view the slides from the event (there are many helpful photo examples!), and to watch the recording (slides & audio).

HELP CREATE THE 'MOST ICONIC MINNESOTA ART EVENT'

Art Shanty Projects is currently seeking winter enthusiasts and creative adventurers to design, construct and activate shanty projects for the 2026 Program. We invite music-makers, poets, builders, scientists, dancers, puppeteers, writers, dreamers, activists, outdoors-people, conversationalists, craftspeople, storytellers, etc. to propose new and innovative ways to engage artistically with the public in the social context of a village on a frozen lake (or winter ‘beach,’ as climate change may necessitate).

The 2026 On-Ice event will take place on Bdé Umáŋ (Lake Harriet) from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, January 17 – February 8, 2026.

This call is for shanty artists only; the call for performances and art actions is available HERE.

ABOUT ART SHANTY PROJECTS

Since 2004 Art Shanty Projects has created joyful winter art experiences for grown adults and kids of all ages. Inspired by pop-up ice fishing villages, we use the frozen lake as a public platform to create a temporary creative community, immersing participants in a colorful village filled with interactive installations and performances. With few regulations and no building codes – and against intense and unpredictable winter weather conditions – artists of all career stages and disciplines have the freedom and challenge to create wild and wonderful work that can’t be experienced anywhere else. Together, with tens of thousands of annual visitors, we celebrate, champion, and embrace the extreme winter sport of art making.

Art Shanty Projects is deeply committed to social, racial, gender, and economic justice. Our community of participants – artists, visitors, sponsors, staff, and board – includes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), FTW (Femme, Trans, Women) and queer (LGBTQIA2S+) individuals, and people with disabilities. ASP is committed to building accessibility into the fabric of how we do art and what we expect from artists. We embrace the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in our commitment to assuring that all members of our community can participate as fully as possible in our arts events, programs, meetings, facilities and communications.

Please read our Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles!

LET'S BUILD A VILLAGE TOGETHER

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Everyone is eligible, because we believe everyone is an artist! We are creating a community environment for co-learning, welcoming artists at all stages of their careers and pursuits in public art.

There are no application fees.

Projects that involve selling anything or the exchange of legal currency will not be accepted.

Artists are not expected to have experience with everything we ask about in this proposal, but should demonstrate an eagerness to engage and develop new skills and be open to new perspectives and ideas. Each year we have a balance of returning shanty artists and newbies – and both informal and formal mentorship takes place.

COMPENSATION

Once again there is a difference in stipends awarded to NEW shanty ideas ($2500) and the remounting of RETURNING projects ($2000). If you are not sure whether your proposal is considered NEW or a REMOUNT, please send an email to Erin at program@artshantyprojects.org

Art Shanty Projects does its best to support artists financially and logistically. In addition to the stipend, we provide direct production support and sharing of best practices throughout the process, as well as additional resources for discounted materials and resource sharing through our partner organizations, whenever possible. In recent years 80% of artists reported that some or all of their materials were either repurposed (free) or purchased secondhand/used at a discounted price.

During the program ASP also supports artists by providing a warming shanty for artists & performers, a hot meal (we are able to accommodate almost all dietary considerations), snacks, hot beverages, hand and toe warmers, one parking space per project, and a cheerful and hardworking staff to support the smooth operation of the festival. We also have a medic onsite for any minor needs.

DETAILED TIMELINE

—–2025—–

July 9, 6 – 7:30 pm: Artist Forum (in person, location TBD in S Mpls, stay tuned)

July 24: Deadline for proposal submissions (11:59pm CST)

August: Artists selected and notified

September 25: 6-8pm (UPDATED DATE): In-person meeting for all Shanty Artists and Performer at American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Mpls (SAVE THIS DATE in case your proposal is selected; this will be a mandatory meeting for at least one member of your team); Paperwork due at this time (contract, community agreement, leave no trace policy). In person attendance is prioritized to build community. A virtual option is available for out of town artists or people who are currently experiencing illness.

October: Project production meetings, as needed (in person prioritized, virtual option as needed); preliminary content forms due (so we can announce your projects!)

October 12, 4-6pm: Artist Study Hall (in person! Location TBD) – build community of peers, share tips, ask questions, get inspired

November: Project build visits (in-person; will be individually scheduled and take place at your build site)

November 20, 6-8pm: Shanty Season Launch Party (optional fun!) In person, outdoors, at Lake Monster brewing patio

December: Final artist content due (images + project descriptions for website; accessibility notes)

—–2026—–

January 7, 6pm-8pm: All-artist check-in IN PERSON, location TBD in Mpls (mandatory for at least 1 member from each artist team). In person attendance is prioritized to build community. A virtual option is available for out of town artists or people who are currently experiencing illness.

January 10-11: Installation on the ice at Bdé Umáŋ (time slots to be scheduled in advance)

January 17 – February 8: On-Ice Program, every Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm

February 3: Member Night on Ice – 6-8pm, in the village (optional)

February 5: alternate date for Member Night on Ice – 6-8pm, in the village (optional; only in case of bad weather on Feb 3)

February 14-15: Deinstallation* (time slots to be scheduled in advance)

February 21: Wrap Party (in person at Lake Monster Brewing, optional fun!)

*Depending on weather conditions artists may be required to move shanties off the ice at an earlier date.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

MENTORSHIP

Art Shanty Projects informally fosters a co-learning community that is committed to sharing skills and resources between artists! We also have a formal mentorship program that pairs seasoned shanty artists with newer folks wanting support on specific skills and best practices in our unique context. In our 2025 mentorship pilot program, topics of mentor/mentee pairings included honing design & construction skills, developing audience engagement plans, understanding how the cold impacts materials and equipment, and translating scientific information to artistic experiences.

Mentorship timeline:

September: staff pairs mentor/mentees from accepted open call projects
October: staff hosts initial meeting to review guidelines, expectations
November – February: pairs work together; mentors are integrated into build visits with staff in November. Mentors share a short written status update in December with staff
March: group debrief and celebration!

Mentors are expected to work no more than 12 hours with their mentee group, and will be compensated with a stipend of $300.

HOW TO APPLY:

Mentors
Indicate in the application if anyone in your group would like to be a mentor. More than one person per group can indicate interest.

Mentees
Indicate in the application if your group would like to be paired with a mentor

This opportunity is for SHANTY artists only; performances + art actions are not eligible.

We have capacity to select up to 6 pairs of mentors/mentees. Indicating interest in this program does not guarantee you will be paired.

EAST LAKE CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY BUILDS

If you are an artist who lives, works, or is deeply connected to the East Lake Cultural district, you’re eligible for funding to host community builds in support of your shanty! This includes an additional $500 for outreach work (connecting with community, inviting people in, hosting two or more community builds) and some funds to defray costs related to build space rental in the neighborhood.

The geographic bounds of East Lake Cultural District include Pillsbury Ave on the west to Cedar Ave on the east, and can extend a 5 block radius in any direction (N-S-E-W).

What you offer:

Host 2 or more community builds within the East Lake Cultural District where your team invites the public to participate in the making of your project (during the production period of fall 2025)
Artists are responsible for promoting/inviting the community to these builds through digital or physical means (social media, flyers, etc)

What we offer:

Graphics / graphic design template for flyers /promotional materials
Extending the reach of your promotions through our digital channels (social media, newsletters, website)
An additional $500 stipend for promoting and hosting these builds
Funds to defray costs of build space in the neighborhood

Some Examples of Community Build Activities:

Building or painting portions of your shanty
Creating costumes, props or decor for your shanty
Content generation / idea sharing about the shanty design or activities
Rehearsing the interactive / social aspect of your shanty

To apply, indicate interest and neighborhood relationship in your shanty proposal. Indicating interest does not guarantee acceptance.

This opportunity is for SHANTY artists only; performances + art actions are not eligible.

ADVICE FOR ARCHITECT APPLICANTS

We’ve seen a lot of proposals for very pretty structures that miss the mark on active participation. If you’re an architect considering an application, we are offering some tips from a past architect artist to guide you towards our community-engaged goals, as well as pics and links to architect-designed shanty projects that worked well in our context!

FULL GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION QUESTIONS

DOWNLOAD the 2026 application guide for shanty artists before beginning your proposal.

STILL CURIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING?

Please visit our FAQs.

Review the Artist Forum slides from July 9 (lots of pictures!)

If we haven’t proactively answered your question, contact Erin Lavelle, Artistic Director: program@artshantyprojects.org

NOTE: it’s been brought to our attention that some people are having trouble accessing the form when using Safari or Firefox. If this happens, please try Chrome! Thanks for your understanding.

Shanty scenes from past programs illustrate designs for various types of Classic and Open Air shanties. Photos: Shine On Photos (Pollinator Shanty), ASP staff (outside of -7* Entry Danceteria), Ryan Stopera