April 27, 2026 (Mankato, MN)—Twin Rivers Council for the Arts, through its CityArt program, is inviting qualified artists and artist teams to submit credentials for the design and installation of a large-scale exterior mural in North Mankato as part of CityArt in the Alley, a creative placemaking series presented through support from Gene Biewen and Noel Van Tol, developed in response to the Belgrade Avenue reconstruction project.
CityArt in the Alley is designed to activate the corridor during construction by enhancing the visual environment, supporting local businesses and fostering community engagement through the arts. The selected artist will create a mural reflecting the creative identity of North Mankato, with emphasis on the role of the arts in strengthening community connection, vibrancy and economic vitality.
Underwritten by The Marian Anderson Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, the mural will be located on a highly visible exterior wall at NaKato Bar & Grill, 253 Belgrade Avenue, North Mankato. Artists are invited to propose work interpreting one or more of the following themes: the arts in North Mankato, the city’s creative “art vibe,” and the value of the arts in community identity and economic vitality.
The selected artist or artist team will receive an all-inclusive $6,250 commission and is asked to include opportunities for stakeholder and community engagement through the broader CityArt in the Alley placemaking series.
The call is open to individual artists and artist teams, with local and regional artists from Minnesota and surrounding areas encouraged to apply. Applications are due May 6, 2026. A mural launch and community engagement event is scheduled for May 31, with installation continuing through July 18, 2026.
Call to Artist details are available at cityartmankato.com.
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About Twin Rivers Council for the Arts
Twin Rivers is a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists, enriching communities, and expanding access to the arts through exhibitions, public art initiatives, education and creative partnerships across southern Minnesota. www.twinriversarts.org
About CityArt Mankato
Established in 2011, CityArt works to enhance the quantity, quality and prominence of public art in the Mankato and North Mankato. CityArt is a program of Twin Rivers Council for the Arts and is dedicated to bringing public art to the community, contributing greatly to the vibrancy of our communities. CityArt initiatives include the CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, CityArt On the Go, the City Center Public Art Tour and the Silo Art. www.cityartmankato.com
About the Marian Anderson Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation
Local artist, Marian Anderson, has been a household name for decades. Her lifetime of work in the Mankato area enriched all our lives. Her paintings adorn the walls of homes and businesses throughout our communities, and her dedication to arts education was demonstrated through the many school-workshop visits she made, and the countless young lives she touched. Marian’s charitable legacy is now realized through the Marian Anderson Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, which concentrates its granting in Blue Earth County and North Mankato. The emphasis of the fund is promoting arts and aesthetics while focusing on the visual arts and history. Through this ongoing activity, Marian Anderson will continue to enrich our community and our lives.
Media Contact:
Stacey Straka
Twin Rivers Council for the Arts
[email protected]