The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts (RRCA) announces a call for art by Native American Artists. Registration is open until September 10, 2021. Use the following Google form link to register. https://forms.gle/h6FK2m4uQJpmvf9g6

The RRCA, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is located in Manistee, Michigan, on the ancestral land of the Anishinaabe people. The RRCA recognizes that the contributions, culture, and identity of our Native American community are an important part of our community’s vitality and an often-overlooked part of history.

In this spirit, the RRCA invites Native American artists working in all visual arts media to submit works to be considered for an art exhibition by Native American artists. “FIRST AMERICANS” is dedicated to our country’s first Native American cabinet member, Deb Haaland, and will be on display during National American Indian Heritage Month. The exhibit will feature works by contemporary Native American artists who currently reside in the state of Michigan. FIRST AMERICANS will be on display in Hardy Hall at the RRCA from November 8 through December 31, 2021. The opening reception is on November 13 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

FIRST AMERICANS is co-chaired by Lisa Allen and Judy Jashinsky. The idea was brought to the RRCA by a local Native American artist and the Manistee Area Racial Justice and Diversity Initiative (MARJDI). The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts strives to reflect the community’s need for diversity, inclusion, and equality as well as educating the community about diversity, inclusion and equality to broaden community awareness on the importance of these issues as reflected in fine and performing arts.

 Guidelines and Eligibility:

  • Artists should not feel an obligation to present work that references their heritage directly. We are looking to honor and celebrate the broad range of artistic expression by Native American artists. This includes painting, sculpture, photography, prints, ceramics, fashion design, poetry, storytelling, music, dance, video, and installation, which might include several categories of expression.
  • Artists must presently reside in Michigan.
  • Artists are responsible for transporting accepted works to RRCA by Friday, October 1, 2021.
  • Artists are responsible for picking up unsold works from RRCA after December 31, 2021. Pick-up days TBD.

Application Deadline: September 10, 2021

How to apply: After gathering the materials outlined in this information packet, artists may apply via our online system using  https://forms.gle/h6FK2m4uQJpmvf9g6

Required Application Materials:

  • Artist Name and contact info
  • Artist bio
  • Titles, dimensions, media, and high-resolution images of at least one and no more than three pieces of art for consideration
  • $20 entry fee per artist

Artist Benefits:

  • Art exhibited in the show will also be featured and available for sale on the RRCA website. Artists will retain 70% of art sales
  • Native American artists will exhibit their show during Manistee’s annual Sleighbell parade, which will provide high exposure
  • The exhibition will be publicized via the RRCA website, social media (e-news/ newspapers, tribal newsletters)