Call for Exhibit Proposals at Hennepin Healthcare

I. Opportunity Description

Inspire Arts at Hennepin Healthcare is exploring new exhibit options for display on our medical center campus and would like to invite artists to submit proposals for consideration. We are looking for exhibits of both two-dimensional and smaller, three-dimensional artwork in a variety of media, styles, and cultures. Individual artists or groups of artists within Minnesota are eligible to submit proposals for a 2-3 month display in one of the medical center’s four galleries. This is a great opportunity to get your work in front of thousands of patients, visitors and employees who pass through our galleries each week, creating potential for sales while helping to build community and positively affect the healing environment.

II. About Hennepin Healthcare and Inspire Arts

Hennepin Healthcare serves the metropolitan and extended county as well as its residential population in downtown Minneapolis. Hennepin Healthcare is a large healthcare system comprised of clinics as well as Hennepin County Medical Center. With our large and diverse patient population, our mission is to ensure access to outstanding care for everyone while improving health and wellness through patient and community education. We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes. We are committed to partnering with our entire community, both internal and external, in achieving their fullest health potential by actively eliminating barriers due to racism.

Inspire Arts is an arts enrichment program for the patients, visitors, staff, and community of Hennepin Healthcare. We have presented community-based art exhibits in the medical center for over twenty years. The program builds on a growing body of evidence that confirms art and creativity have a vital role to play in the healing environment. We strive to promote a positive environment through the healing force of art. Our main goals are to reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with health care environments as well as support holistic patient care and healing. Inspire Arts offers a variety of services including music therapy and visual arts activities intended to build hope, inspire creativity, and reflect the diversity within our community.

III. Who Should Apply

Inspire Arts is seeking Twin Cities and broader Minnesota artists to submit art exhibit proposals for display in galleries within the Medical Center.  Inspire Arts values art as a healing force and is looking for artists whose artwork embodies broad themes that we believe to be helpful for patients and families. We are specifically looking for exhibits of original artwork that has a sense of one or more of the following words:

• belonging
• culture
• storytelling
• wonder
• family
• friendship
• awe
• community
• heritage
• wellness
• vitality
• seasons
• joy
• hopeful
• nature

Artwork must be original and may be a variety of mediums such as paintings, prints, collage, mixed media, glass, mosaics, textiles, photography, ceramics, and small sculptures, etc. We will consider both solo and group exhibits. As an organization, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strive to reflect this commitment in our arts programming as well.  Members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities are especially encouraged to apply.

IV. HCMC’s Guiding Principles for Healing Art

We are seeking artwork that:

• Reduces stress and anxiety to improve patient experience and staff’s workplace environment.
• Projects a sense of welcome and hope through the images and content messages.
• Sparks the imagination of patients and visitors of all ages.
• Represents and/or engages the diverse demographics we serve.

V. Art Locations and Descriptions

We have four exhibit locations in the Medical Center; we will assign exhibits to locations based on availability, number of artworks, display needs, etc.

Red Building Skyway Gallery, Level 2

• 68 ft. hallway- can support 20-30 artworks.

Orange Building Dining Room, Level 3

• Five walls, approximately 12 ft. each- can support 15-20 artworks.

Clinic & Specialty Center Gallery, Level 2

• Approximately 40 ft. of exhibit space- can support 12-20 artworks.

Blue Building, Lower-Level Atrium

• Three inset display cases approximately 4 ft. tall x 8 ft. wide x 11 in. deep.

VI. Sales

Exhibited artwork may be for sale; Inspire Arts will charge a 30% fee for sales that goes directly back into hosting more art exhibits from the community. Sold artworks must remain on display until the end of the exhibit.

Artists will be responsible for delivery and pick-up of work.

VII. Criteria for Art Selection

A committee of patients, employees, Inspire Arts council members and community artists will score proposals; a pool of top-scoring proposals will then be created from which we will draw exhibits through 2025. Exhibit selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Fit with descriptive target words (section III).
• Quality, inventive interpretation and strength of artwork concepts and theme, as evidenced in images of artwork submitted, and a professional resume.
• Ability to demonstrate the creativity and style that will support the vision and mission of Hennepin Healthcare, Inspire Arts, and the above Guiding Principles for Healing Art (section IV).
• Workmanship and technical competence as evidenced by images of the artist’s body of work.

VIII. Submit Your Artwork for Consideration

Submit a written description of your exhibit proposal, including who will be involved, to callforart@hcmed.org along with a professional resume and portfolio for consideration (link to web portfolios will be accepted). Please submit all materials by 5:00 pm on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Inspire Arts and Hennepin Healthcare reserve the right to make final selections.

Please contact the art program coordinator with questions at wenda.ballinger@hcmed.org.