2027 FAQs FOR APPLICANTS
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.
The deadline for the 2027 open calls is 11:59pm CST on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
We’re excited for winter and we hope you are too!
JOIN US FOR THE ARTIST FORUM on June 25 at 6pm for an opportunity to hear from our staff and ask questions! This forum is IN PERSON at Powderhorn Rec Center, 3400 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407. RSVPs appreciated!
We hope to proactively answer questions you may have here — but if new ones come up, please message program@artshantyprojects.org. Thanks!
We’re excited for winter and we hope you are too!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Artist Forum on July 9! Follow this link to view the slides from the event (there are many helpful photo examples!), and to watch the recording (slides & audio).
We hope to proactively answer questions you may have here — but if new ones come up, please message program@artshantyprojects.org. Thanks!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We’ve compiled a list of general FAQs for all applicants, as well as some specific to shanties and to performances + art actions. There are also sections on our Mentorship Program and the East Lake Cultural District community event opportunities.
GENERAL FAQS
Where and when will ASP 2027 happen?
We will once again be on Bdé Umáŋ (Lake Harriet) in South Minneapolis. The event will run from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, January 16 – February 7, 2027. Installation weekend will be January 9-10, and deinstallation will happen February 13-14.
What’s the difference between the ‘shanty’ application and the ‘performance and art action’ application?
We’re glad you asked! Shanties are physical installations that remain throughout the month and are activated during all public program hours by the artist team. Shanties can be the classic interior version (fully enclosed, visitors come inside) or can be an entirely exterior experience (as developed during the pandemic). Performances and art actions are projects with shorter durations (an hour, a day, a few days, etc). They may or may not have physical structures. Our definition of ‘performance’ and ‘art action’ is broad.
Winter is cold! What does Art Shanty Projects do to keep artists warm and happy?
We’re glad you asked! First, we prepare artists with tips and tricks on how to stay warm – including advice on shanty construction and heating, clothing choices, movement, and more. We also offer HOT food and drinks to artists during the program as well as hand and toe warmers. We have a TOASTY wood-fired warming shanty for brief warm-ups. All of this is on shore (not on the ice / in the village).
Hey, you mentioned cultural appropriation in the open call. What’s that? How do I make sure I’m not doing it???
We’re so glad you asked. Here are some resources that enthusiastically answer this question: https://libraryguides.saic.edu/learn_unlearn/culturalcompetence2
Who selects the artists?
Proposals will be juried by a panel led by the Artistic Director which consists of an Art Shanty Projects board member representative, local artists, curators, and past participants using the artistic criteria listed in the open call. You can see the 2026 jurors on our website, for reference (the 2027 jurors will be announced after artists have been selected). Jurors receive an honorarium for their work. More info here on how to become a juror!
I’m from out of town! Can I still apply? Can you help me get to you?
We welcome artists from anywhere – and have had groups from Duluth, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas and even California and New York! We do not have additional travel or lodging stipends to offer out-of-town artists.
How important are the supporting materials in my application?
VERY IMPORTANT! This is your chance to demonstrate your vision and aesthetic to the jury, as well as your capacity to build and do this thing! You can offer a mix of supporting materials: give a visual representation of what your project will look like (renderings), work you’ve done in the past that proves you’re up to the task (work samples), and places you’re drawing inspiration from (source images).
OH NO! My dream project costs more than the stipend. What should I do?
We strongly suggest scaling your project to fit within the resources we can offer. That said, artists are of course welcome to raise money and source in-kind goods through their own efforts to support the project of their dreams. When applying, please be real about your budget and how you might achieve anything beyond what ASP offers.
Sometimes the simple ideas are the best and have the biggest impact!
I have a project idea – can someone review it in advance and give advice?
We do not have staff capacity to review or advise on proposal ideas in advance. But we look forward to reading your application, and we encourage you to submit it. We think the application is in an approachable format, we hope you do too.
Can we sell things at our shanty, collect money, or promote our business?
No. This is an immersive public arts program, not an art fair. We provide a stipend for participation, which is the artist compensation. We do love our artists, and want people to know about you! We include team credits on signage near your project and on your project page on our website. We do not allow artists to hand out or post promotional materials.
How will 2027 be accessible to people?
We will offer our fleet of kicksleds and ramps to the surface of the lake. We provide ASL interpretation and audio description once per weekend. Artists are asked to apply with projects that consider accessibility goals, and shanties that have elevated platforms are required to have ramps. Interior shanties have additional accessibility requirements (door size, room to move around, etc). Our website has been redesigned with enhanced accessibility features for people who use screen readers. Our social media includes alt text on all images.We
SHANTY SPECIFIC Qs:
Can visitors go inside shanties? What’s the dealio?
Artists can choose their own adventure: a CLASSIC SHANTY (invite people inside) or EXTERIOR ONLY SHANTY (no sharing air). PLEASE NOTE: ALL SHANTIES must also be meaningfully activated in some way on the exterior, including those that also have an interior experience. ALSO NOTE: every year the public asks for more classic shanties because they provide a break from the elements.
Can I heat my classic shanty?
Yes! Wood burning stoves and portable propane heaters are welcome. If you choose to include a wood burning stove we will work with the Fire Inspector to gain permission, and there will be some safety requirements (don’t worry about that until you’re accepted…). Passive solar is also a great option – meaning, having a clear roof or windows facing south to let the sun heat the shanty (does not work as well on cloudy days of course).
What about electricity?
Most shanties do not use electricity – but those that do often use marine / deep cycle batteries, solar power, or incorporate people power into the design (ex. bike generated). Accepted artists receive advice on how to utilize these options. We don’t allow generators for environmental reasons.
Materials are SO EXPENSIVE! How can I make an affordable shanty project?!
Ugh, we know. Especially if you buy them NEW!
Shanty builders are historically very good at being resourceful, using repurposed materials whenever possible to reduce costs, and in alignment with our community’s sustainability values. Some artists have built entire shanties out of pallets!
There are many local resources for purchasing repurposed materials. Check out Better Futures, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, LumberStash, the University of Minnesota ReUse Program, even thrift shops. We’ve had artists build amazing creations using a large percentage of FREE materials such as: pallets, discarded fences, decommissioned shanties, disassembled art shipping crates, cardboard, bubble wrap, and more! Good places to start for this include neighborhood Buy Nothing groups, local stores (for pallets especially), etc. Occasionally Art Shanty Projects gets offers of free materials, which we pass along to artists.
Is this a paid opportunity?
Yes! We value artists for their work and provide stipends to produce their work.
Shanty stipends have increased significantly over the last 7 years:
2016, 2017, 2018: $1500
2020, 2022: $2400
2023, 2024: $2500
2025, 2026: $2500 for new shanties, $2000 for remounts
2027: $2700 for new shanties, $2200 for remounts
This year (as it has been for the past two years) there is a difference in stipends awarded to new shanties and the remounting of returning shanties ($2700; $2200). This is done with the reasoning that returning shanties have fewer material costs in a remount. This helps us maintain a full program while grappling with the current financial stressors in the arts sector (and everywhere).
We hope and plan to increase shanty stipends more in the future when possible!
How many shanties will there be?
We will have a maximum of 20 shanties, including up to 17 shanties that are selected through the open call. Additional shanties that are curated outside the open call include our Welcome Shanty, the Performance Stage, and the Free Store Shanty, and the potential for 1-2 shanties through outreach efforts. This is the same total number of shanties since the onset of the pandemic.
I’m a rad artist. I fly solo. Why don’t you accept shanty teams of one?
From past experience, ‘teams’ of one end up needing a lot of help! We have also learned that it is unreasonable for a single artist to manage by themself. Even a duo can easily get overwhelmed. Building and moving the shanty requires multiple people, and artists need breaks from both engaging with crowds and sometimes unpredictable weather conditions. Also, it’s important to have a backup staffing plan in case someone on your shanty team gets sick.
It’s OK to have a lead artist and a group of people who support them. It’s not OK to think you’ll do it alone. It’s also OK if you don’t have your full team assembled at the point of application, as long as you’re confident you’ll find the support you need once accepted.
(This does not relate to performers).
Do I really need to be there during all public hours?
Yes! We are not a sculpture park. A key component of our program is direct engagement and participation with the public. And they expect it! We recommend a larger team so you can take shifts and hold your commitment to be open and facilitating your project during all public hours.
PERFORMER SPECIFIC Qs
Is this a paid opportunity?
Yes! We value performers for their work and provide stipends to support them.
Performance stipends vary due to the needs of the project, the duration, number of performers, frequency of performing, etc. There are suggested guidelines in the application materials. We have held the maximum performance stipend at $1000 again this year.
How many performances + art actions will there be?
Stipends for these projects are scalable, so It depends on how much money the applicants request for their activities. The jury ranks performance applications in order from highest to lowest scores, and then they go down the list in order to accept projects until the open call performance budget ($9000) has been spent. We anticipate selecting ~12 performance groups through the open call process, depending on stipend requests. We will also present additional projects through partner organizations and our outreach efforts (which also has a $9000 budget). This is similar to the past few seasons, and more performance groups than in earlier years.
What kinds of performances and art actions have happened at the shanties?
We are VERY OPEN to the idea of what constitutes a performance or art action!
We’ve had dance, giant roving puppets, taiko drumming, short theatre shows, parades, art bike activities, plein air painters, opera, live bands, antics, artsy sports and games, song circles, folk dancing, one-day installations, performative ‘tv reporters,’ fashion shows, and more…
MENTORSHIP QUESTIONS
What is the mentorship program?
The mentorship program is our effort to formalize the shanty spirit of co-learning between seasoned and newer shanty artists. Mentors attend a production meeting and build visit led by Art Shanty staff, and then support on a peer basis throughout the production and program periods.
What kind of things do people get mentored on?
It depends on what the mentees ask for! In the past this has included guidance on structural design, audience engagement design, material choice, power options, and translating scientific or artistic concepts into interactive components.
Who can be a mentor? How are they chosen?
Mentors are typically seasoned shanty artists with 3 or more shanties under their belts. They can indicate interest in being a mentor when applying for their own project through the open call. Staff members choose mentors based on the needs of mentees, ensuring the skills and insight they have to share supports the needs of mentees.
How do I become a mentee?
If you’re a newer shanty artist, you can indicate your interest in being paired with a mentor in your shanty application. There is a place to note the kinds of things you might be interested in learning from a seasoned shanty artist, but staff members will also glean topics based on your application as a whole.
Note: you don’t need to be a first-time artist to ask for a mentor! We’ve had second year artists apply with a very specific area they want to gain skills in!
How many mentorship pairings will there be?
We have funding to support up to 6 pairings of mentors/mentees this year, thanks to a MRAC Flexible Support grant!
Are mentors compensated?
Yes! Thanks to grant funding from MRAC, mentors receive a stipend of $300
Do you have mentorship for performers?
At this time we do not. Mentorship is only intended for shanty artists, as the learning curve is much steeper when building, installing and staffing a structure.
EAST LAKE COMMUNITY EVENT QUESTIONS:
What is the East Lake Community Event opportunity?
This opportunity invites artists to engage with residents from the East Lake Cultural District in at least one event related to their shanty experience. What that means, specifically, depends on the shanty project itself.
Where is the East Lake Cultural District?
The East Lake Cultural District is the length of East Lake Street from Pillsbury Ave on the west to Cedar Ave on the east. For the purpose of this opportunity, you can extend 5 blocks in any direction from the corridor listed above.
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
All shanty applicants who have a meaningful relationship with the East Lake Cultural District are eligible to apply. This could mean you live, work or socialize there (or have done so in the past). Artists with neighborhood connections or relationships with local orgs and businesses are the ideal candidates.
Are there restrictions on where activities can take place?
Public activities must take place within the cultural district, as listed above. Your other shanty activities that don’t involve the public do not need to be within this geographic area.
What kinds of community events could I do?
It depends on your project! You could include the community in idea-generating sessions, shanty building activities, painting, costume or prop making, etc. Activities are highly dependent on the concept and design of your project. Propose what makes sense to you!
How are artists compensated for this work?
Each shanty group selected will receive an additional $800 of unrestricted support beyond their shanty stipend to conduct their community outreach and event(s). This can be used for space rental, supplies, artist time, etc. This is possible due to a grant from the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department.
How do I apply?
There is a section in the shanty application that prompts you to indicate your interest to participate in this opportunity. You’ll be asked to articulate your relationship with the cultural district, as well as provide a loose idea of what you might want to do for your community activity. This idea isn’t locked in, we’ll work with accepted artists to refine their plan.
Does this opportunity apply to performers?
No, this opportunity is only available to shanty artists.
WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
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 questions, contact Erin Lavelle, Artistic Director: program@artshantyprojects.org
Reduce, Reuse, Re-xylophone and Opticon shanties. Photos: Ryan Stopera