Birch Tree Center Call For Art
Ends on
Birch Tree center
4730 Matterhorn Circle,
Duluth MN 55811
Proposals Due February 15. 2026
Project Overview
The art we select for our program will be displayed in common areas for staff, clients, and visitors of the program to see. We want our clients to feel that our building is not only a place of refuge, but a place of healing and understanding. We are looking to select pieces that promote a sense of calm and tranquility for many who are seeking recovery
Birch Tree Overview Birch Tree Center is a residential mental health crisis stabilization program in Duluth, Minnesota. Birch Tree serves populations across a wide range of demographics and ethnicities in Northern Minnesota that struggle with severe mental health problems including but not limited to suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and psychosis. A large part of our clientele is part of the low income and unhoused populations from the surrounding areas; as well as others are survivors of abuse and trauma. WEBSITE
About Birch Tree Site The art we select for our program will be displayed in common areas for staff, clients, and visitors of the program to see. We want our clients to feel that our building is not only a place of refuge, but a place of healing and understanding.
PROJECT GOALS
1. Art that promotes a sense of calm and tranquility for many who are seeking recovery
2. Those who stay at Birch Tree feel a connection with the art they see, perhaps through representation of specific cultures, or perhaps through a deeper connection to feeling understood in the way we feel that only art can convey 3. Design a site-specific artwork that responds to the building interior and its manufacturing mission, creating a sense of cohesion and place.
4. Art is about the delicate nature of the symptoms we address, but we are not opposed to work that is complex or promotes deeper contemplation and exploration of themes.
5. Artists submit proposals around the delicate nature of the symptoms we address, but we are not opposed to work that is complex or promotes deeper contemplation and exploration of themes.
6. Art that supports Birch Tree Center’s core programing that includes teaching skills for coping with the daily struggles that mental health symptoms can cause, such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, acceptance,
SITE & ARTWORK FOOTPRINT
The site for the artwork is the main entryway, conference room, and common areas. The space can be enhanced with art hanging on the wall or from the ceiling. Artists who require their art piece to be anchored to the wall or supported by the ceiling structure are required to work directly with our Program Manager to ensure that artwork is properly secured.
We are mainly looking for paintings or photographs on canvas. We have an option for a larger tapestry if it is in our budget – that wall space would accommodate a 7'x6' piece of hanging art. That might be nice to also serve to help with acoustic issues in our meeting room. The largest piece we can accommodate is 8’x 4’ and the smallest would be a 2’x2’. We identified 10 possible walls to place art within that size range.
Photos of the site and architect drawings with measurements are available at: [website]
STEP ONE: Proposals
Artist, please submit 2-D artwork you have on hand. We have a total budget of $9,000. Art will be reviewed and selected pieces will be seen in person. Submit up to 10 pieces for us to consider. Include Title, medium, size, and cost.
STEP TWO: In person
Selected artwork will be seen in person at Birch Tree to determine the placement and inform final decisions.
Birch Tree Center 4730 Matterhorn Circle, Duluth MN 55811
Rachel Broadway, Program Director 218-623-1800
A final budget for purchase is $9,000 for several pieces of art.
TIMELINE: DATES ACTIVITY & DELIVERABLES
January 15, 2026 Open Call
February 15, 2026 Artist Notified of in person meeting
February/ March, 2026 In person meetings
April/ May, 2026 Final decisions and delivery
Submission Instructions All materials must be submitted electronically by February 15, at 6:00 PM
QUESTIONS
Artists are encouraged to submit any questions, preferably by email.
Contact: Rachel Broadway Email: Rachel.broadway@thrivebn.com