2027 CALL FOR PERFORMANCES + ART ACTIONS
Deadline for applications: 11:59pm CST – Thursday, July 9, 2026
The deadline for the 2026 open calls has passed, proposals were due at 11:59pm on July 24. The information below is for reference only.
We encourage you to read the guidelines carefully and attend the Artist Forum on Thursday, June 25, 6pm at Powderhorn Rec Center, 3400 15th Ave S, MPLS. RSVPs appreciated!
We encourage you to read the guidelines 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 create performances and art actions for the 2027 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 2027 program will take place on Bdé Umáŋ (Lake Harriet) from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, January 16 – February 7, 2027.
We have an expansive notion of what constitutes a performance or art action, and have welcomed dance, creative sporting events, happenings, carnival games, music, roving dance, temporary sculpture, puppet shows, artful haircuts, advice booths, climate actions, and more.
*This call is for PERFORMANCES + ART ACTIONS only. The call for shanty artists 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 performers and newbies – and informal mentorship takes place.
COMPENSATION
We understand each project has unique needs.
Stipends for Performances + Art Actions are on a sliding scale up to $1000.
We ask artists to request an amount that makes sense for their project. We recommend considering the number of performances you plan to do, duration, size of your group, material costs, etc when determining your request.
Some suggested guidelines include:
- $1000 – an activity that lasts an entire day, two half days, or shorter durations each weekend or each day. Larger groups or more ambitious projects, production-wise
- $500 – an activity that lasts a half day, or for two shorter periods over a few days.
- $250 – activities that are short or only happen only once; smaller groups or solo activities; low-tech/low-production projects
Art Shanty Projects does its best to support artists financially and logistically. In addition to the stipend, we provide direct production support throughout the process, as well as additional resources for discounted materials and resource sharing through our partner organizations whenever possible.
During the program ASP also supports artists by providing a shared warming shanty, a hot meal (we are able to accommodate most dietary considerations), snacks, hot beverages, hand and toe warmers, one parking space per project, as well as a cheerful, skilled and hardworking staff to support the smooth operation of the festival. We also have a medic onsite for any minor needs and provide an ASL interpreter and Audio Describer for the public.
DETAILED TIMELINE:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPLICATION INFO AND GUIDANCE:
June 17, 6-8pm: Summer Snowcial – in person at Sociable CiderWerks, 1500 Fillmore Street NE, MPLS.
June 25, 6pm: Artist Forum in person at Powderhorn Rec Center, 3400 15th Ave S, MPLS. RSVPs appreciated!
July 6, 6-8pm: Dine Out Give Back – in person at The Lowbrow, 4244 Nicollet Ave S, MPLS.
APPLICATION PERIOD:
July 9: Deadline for proposal submissions (11:59pm CST)
mid-August: Artists selected and notified
PRODUCTION + PUBLIC PROCESS:
September 10, 6-8pm: In-person meeting for all Shanty Artists and Performers, location TBD in S Mpls (SAVE THIS DATE in case your proposal is selected; this will be a mandatory meeting for at least one member of your team who will be responsible for sharing information with other project members. More are welcome!); Paperwork due at this time (contract, community agreement, leave no trace policy). Informal hangout post-event!
October 4, 4-6pm: Artist hangout (FKA Study Hall), in person! Location TBD. Build community of peers, share tips, ask questions, get inspired by one another.
October: Project production meetings with Artistic Director and Stage Manager (in person prioritized, virtual option available);
October 13: preliminary content forms due (images, artist credits + project descriptions for website) so we can announce your projects and build the performance schedule!
Early November: performance schedule confirmed
November 19, 6-8pm: Shanty Season Launch Party (optional fun!) In person, outdoors, at Lake Monster brewing patio. Artists get a free drink + food.
November 24: Final artist content due (images, artist credits + project descriptions for website.
December: Accessibility notes due
—–2027—–
January 6, 6pm-8pm: All-artist check-in IN PERSON, location TBD in Mpls (mandatory for at least 1 member from each artist team who will be responsible for sharing information with other project members. More are welcome!).
January 16 – February 7: On-Ice Program, every Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
February 3, 6-8pm: Member Night on Ice – 6-8pm, in the village (optional)
February 4, 6-8pm: alternate date for Member Night on Ice – 6-8pm, in the village (optional; only in case of bad weather on Feb 3)
February 20, 5-7pm: Wrap Party (in person at Lake Monster Brewing, optional fun!)
FULL GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION QUESTIONS
DOWNLOAD the 2027 Application Guide (Performances + Art Actions) before beginning your proposal.
STILL CURIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING?
Please visit our FAQs.
Attend one or all of these events to learn more about the application process and Art Shanty experience:
SUMMER SNOWCIAL – drop-in style event
Wednesday, June 17, 6-8pm
Sociable CiderWerks, 1500 Fillmore Street NE, MPLS
FREE! Drinks available for purchase if desired
This is our annual summer event with live screenprinting, free sno-cones, and auction pick-ups (if you bid on and won an item). Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the open call and application process.
ARTIST FORUM – presentation, Q&A, casual discussion
Thursday, June 25, 6-8pm
Powderhorn Rec Center, 3400 15th Ave S, MPLS
FREE TO ATTEND!
RSVPs appreciated!
This is an info session led by staff members to review the application process and various ways to get involved as an artist or performer at Art Shanty Projects 2027! Presentation + Q&A + casual conversation. Many photos as examples will be shared.
DINE OUT GIVE BACK – drop-in style event
Monday, July 6, 5-9pm
The Lowbrow, 4244 Nicollet Ave S, MPLS
FREE (but please purchase something from the Lowbrow)
Grab a bite or a drink and sit down with shanty staff (or other artists, if they’re around!) to ask your last minute questions before submitting your application. 10% of proceeds from this evening will support Art Shanty Projects.
If we haven’t proactively answered your question, contact Erin Lavelle, Artistic Director: program@artshantyprojects.org
If you have a Google account, please use it to apply! This allows uploads of your required supporting materials (photos, videos, and/or audio). If you DO NOT have a Google account, you will need to email your required supporting materials (photos, videos, and/or audio).
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.
Scenes from past programs illustrate a variety of performance and art action ideas and locations. Photos courtesy ASP staff, Ryan Stopera and Drew Arrieta.