Opportunity Closes: June 2, 2025, midnight Central
65th Arrowhead Regional Biennial | On view October 6–December 19, 2025
Fee (USD): $25.00
Awards:
1st | $1000
2nd | $500
3rd | $250
The Duluth Art Institute (DAI) announces an open call for submissions for the 65th Arrowhead Regional Biennial. As one of the longest running biennials in the country, this exhibition features a wide range of artwork produced within the last five years from artists residing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada. The exhibit is open to all 2D & 3D work, except AI-generated.
The Duluth Art Institute is honored to introduce the 65th Arrowhead Regional Biennial judge, Wendy Savage.
Wendy lee Savage is an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Nation, Lake Superior Band, and Fond du Lac Reservation. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1986 from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Her Master's degree in Education through the College of St. Scholastica is presently in progress.
Savage is a multicultural educator, consultant, independent curator of the arts, and an artist of the Ojibway culture of this region. She has used her background in art to develop culturally specific curriculum. She has served as an art consultant to Duluth Children's Museum, DAI, and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Savage has worked as an independent curator in the Duluth area. She most recently curated exhibitions for the American Indian Community Organization gallery program, and the Duluth Nordic Center gallery.
Savage's background also includes arts administration. She was a member of the Native Arts Circle, a past board member of the Duluth Art Institute, and a board member of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, were she instituted a grant program for Native American Indian artists. She has been a Minnesota State Arts Board grants reviewer and a member of the Tweed Museum of Art. She works both as an artist and advocate to ensure the preservation of American Indian art forms and exhibitions.
Required Application Materials
- Up to 10 work samples
- High resolution images (jpeg or png at minimum 8.5x11" and 300dpi)
- Save images prior to loading: artist name_title_medium_year_size_price/NFS
- Mov/mp4 (max 3 minutes)
- Mp3/wav (max 3 minutes)
- Artist biography (max 500 words entered into field rather than uploaded as file)
- Statement (max 500 words entered into field rather than uploaded as file)
- Artist resume (PDF, 2 page max)
- Acceptance of terms (see below)
Please contact the DAI Exhibitions Manager, mkayser@duluthartinstitute.org, before applying if your work is larger than 6' in any dimension or weights more than 50 lbs.
Judging
Arrowhead Regional Biennial Judges score on four categories:
- Conceptual Clarity & Innovation
Focus: How clearly and originally the central idea (topic) is expressed.
Why it Matters: A strong, innovative concept lays the foundation for impactful artwork. - Technical Mastery & Material Proficiency
Focus: The artist’s skill in manipulating their chosen media and techniques.
Why it Matters: Mastery over materials ensures that the artist’s vision is executed with precision and expertise. - Authentic Expression & Personal Voice
Focus: The uniqueness and sincerity of the artist’s narrative and style (perspective about topic).
Why it Matters: An authentic voice distinguishes an artwork by revealing the artist’s personal perspective and emotional depth. - Narrative & Impact
Focus: How effectively the work communicates a story or engages with cultural relevance, history, social or community narratives.
Why it Matters: Art that resonates with a narrative can foster meaningful connections with its audience, sparking important conversations.
Applicants are highly encouraged to submit more than one piece of work and 3D artists are encouraged to include 2 or more views per piece.
Terms
- The DAI retains a 40% commission of artwork sales. All artwork sales at or relating to the Biennial must be processed through the DAI.
- Artists are responsible for delivery and pick up of work to and from the DAI. Funding is not available for shipping assistance.
- The DAI reserves the right to use images appearing in the exhibition, before and during the exhibition and thereafter. Images may be used as publicity for the exhibition and the DAI organization including, but not limited to: HUE publication, social media, postcard announcements, staff business cards, membership cards, and press releases.
- The DAI reserves the right to refuse installation.
- Contact the DAI curator if your submission includes a piece heavier than 50 pounds or larger than 6' in any direction (mkayser@duluthartinstitute.org).
Timeline
Full schedule will be sent out to accepted artists when dates are confirmed with juror schedule.
- Application closes June 2, 2025 at midnight CST
- Accepted applicants will be contacted via email with details regarding schedule, artwork delivery, and may be asked to supply additional support materials
- Accepted applicants will provide images of accepted work, contracts and additional paperwork, and schedule a short audio recording session with the Exhibitions Manager for the Bloomberg Connects virtual exhibition tour
- Once the above items are provided, selected artwork can be shipped (please include or email a prepaid return label) or hand-delivered during weekday office hours
- Exhibition will be on view in the DAI Downtown Galleries October 6–December 19
- Closing reception Friday, December 19, time TBD
- Work pick up: Artwork can be picked up at the end of the reception, or the following Monday, December 22 or Tuesday, December 23. If work needs to be shipped to you, please enclose a prepaid shipping label for return shipping.
Dates subject to change due to any events beyond the control of the DAI (including, but not limited to, war, national calamity, strike, severe acts of nature or weather, pandemics, acts of governmental authorities such as closure, condemnation, and changes in laws and regulations). The DAI, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to cancel the exhibition by giving notice to the artists.
Please direct questions to Madeline Kayser, DAI Exhibitions Manager mkayser@duluthartinstitute.org