The Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) is a juried exhibition opportunity for emerging through mid-career artists who live and work in Minnesota, organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Founded in 1975 as a three-year partnership between the museum and artists, it has become a unique, ongoing relationship. 

Today, the program is dedicated to supporting emerging and mid-career Minnesota-based visual artists who will complete, realize, or exhibit a recently completed body of work. The MAEP presents a diverse array of art and artists who work across the state within the context of an encyclopedic art museum, placing the state's artists in the broader discourses of world histories and cultures.

Unlike other exhibition series in the U.S., MAEP proposals are selected by the Advisory Committee, an advisory of five Minnesota-based artists. Advisers select and rank three proposals for final review by an internal committee of Mia staff, who approve one application to receive $13,500 to realize their exhibition proposal. For more information on the Advisory Committee and review process, visit: artsmia.org/maep

Selected applications have approximately six months to prepare for an exhibition in the 2,500-square-foot U.S. Bank Gallery at Mia. Each selected artist receives $10,000 upon signing the contract and an additional $3,500 at the exhibition opening, totaling $13,500.  

The MAEP is a highly competitive program, with fewer than .8% of applications accepted. Those not selected are strongly encouraged to reapply. Open Calls start on the first of February, June, and October and end on the last Friday of the month. 

Degree-seeking students, Mia staff, and artists under 18 are ineligible to apply.  

Interested in applying? Visit new.artsmia.org/maep for resources and more information. 

Support for MAEP is provided by RBC Wealth Management.

Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program: March--June 2026
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Submit to Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program: March--June 2026

The MAEP Proposal 

The MAEP is now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 Exhibition (March--June 2026). Applicants will be notified of the Panel's decision by April 30, 2025.  

The Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) is a juried exhibition program. Proposals or applications are juried by peers, a group of artists who live and work in Minnesota known as the Advisory Committee. Advisors review and score all applications online. The Committee selects and ranks three proposals at a virtual, closed-door meeting. Mia approves the final selection. The selected applicant(s) will receive up to $13,500 in payment to realize the proposed exhibition at Mia. Proposals and exhibitions are subject to budget and program constraints. See below for more details.     

 

ELIGIBILITY

The MAEP supports emerging to mid-career artists who live and work in Minnesota. Artists should reside in-state through the exhibition (travel, residencies, etc. are permitted). The MAEP is designed to help artists realize, complete, or exhibit a body of work. If previously exhibited, please indicate how the MAEP would differ from past exhibitions. Please read the Restrictions section carefully before applying. 

Degree-seeking students and Mia staff are not eligible. 

All proposals must be submitted via the Submittable portal. Mailed or emailed proposals will not be accepted. Submittable is designed to work best on Chrome or Firefox browsers. Make sure your browser or app is updated before starting your proposal. 

Only one application per artist will be accepted. Applications from groups and collectives are welcomed. 

Please ensure that your proposal accurately represents the work you intend to exhibit. If selected, your proposal will be part of your contract.  


Questions? 

Click here to book your virtual appointment. Mia uses Google's virtual Appointment app to book, confirm, and host virtual appointments. If you do not receive a confirmation email upon booking, check your spam folder. Or email contemporary@artsmia.org.

 

THE PROPOSAL

Please review the following information before submitting your application. The Proposal consists of six (6) sections: 

  1. Contact and Eligibility
  2. Artist Statement
  3. Exhibition Proposal
  4. CV
  5. Work Samples and Floor Plan
  6. Demographic Survey (optional).

Once submitted, proposals cannot be opened. 

 

WRITTEN SECTIONS  

Consider the following information when writing your proposal. We recommend having a reader unfamiliar with the arts review your proposal before submitting it. 

To help ensure that your writing is accessible, here are a few basic tips:

Keep the following in mind:

  • Websites like Grammarly and Readable are helpful writing tools that review your grammar and reading level. Do not rely on ChatGPT or other AI to write your proposal. 
  • Use your own words. Avoid direct quotes, which may invite comparisons. Using art-specific or technical terms, art history, or art theories may make your proposal difficult to understand. 
  • Do not discuss your biography, career history, or awards unless relevant to your artwork. 
  • Think big but realistic by proposing projects that can be completed within six (6) months.  

Artist Statement (500 words) The Artist Statement explains the core concepts of your artistic practice, overall exhibition, and the artworks on view. Describe how and why this proposal relates to your artistic career. Explain why you're applying to the program at this stage without comparing your work to others or listing unrelated influences or unnecessary biographical details.

Questions to consider: What are the exhibition's core themes? How does this body of work compare to past bodies or series of artwork? Is the proposal different or a continuation of past work? What do you want visitors to take away from this experience?

 

Exhibition Proposal (500 words) The Exhibition Proposal describes the logistics of your exhibition. Mia has dedicated the U.S. Bank Gallery for the MAEP. All proposals should be contained within the gallery, and the gallery's North and South Rooms should be used. Your proposal should clearly state the number of objects, artwork media, and scale of the artwork. Your proposed layout should match your floor plan. Be concise by limiting your proposal to three (3) to five (5) points. 

Questions to consider: What will the viewers encounter in the gallery, and how might they move through it? How do the artworks or groupings relate to one another? What about the location or space compelled you to apply to the program?

 

FILE UPLOADS

The next portion of your proposal involves uploading files. Read the following information to prepare your files.   

Upload your CV/Resume (2-page PDF) The CV is one PDF, limited to two pages. The College Art Association's website has guidelines for visual artist's CVs. Click the link for more information. 

If you are applying as a group or collective, prioritize past group exhibitions or collaborations before listing each member's experience.   

Ten (10) Work Samples Work Samples support your application by providing images of objects, detailed images, installation views, or samples of works in progress. Include at least one installation image to demonstrate how work has appeared in a gallery or exhibition. Refrain from including multi-page documents about each work or past exhibition pamphlets.

Each work sample has three (3) sections: caption or ID information (title, date, medium, and dimensions), file upload, and a comments section (25-word limit). For Audio or Video files, submit clips with a runtime less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

File types allowed: JPG, GIF, MP3, MP4, AVI, MOV, WAV, WMV, PDF 

 

Floor Plans Floor plans are the map of your proposed exhibition. Your plans can be hand-drawn, PDF, or virtual rendering. Elevation plans may be better suited for some proposals. The text should be legible; use a map key if needed. 

File types allowed: JPG, MOV, WAV, WMV, PDF   

 

The MAEP Advisory Committee's Rubric 

The MAEP Advisory Committee reviews applications and makes the final decision regarding who is accepted for the exhibition. They cannot see responses to your contact, eligibility, or demographic sections. 

The Advisory Committee uses the following rubric to select and rank applications:

  • CLARITY. Is the proposal clear/concise? What are the artworks on display? What is the concept that ties the work together?
  • COMPETENCY. Can the artist accomplish the proposal as stated based on the work samples, floor plan, and CV?
  • INTENTION. Have they considered the exhibition's context and location (why here, why now)? The MAEP Coordinator will review for compliance and eligibility. 
  • INCLUSION. Mia, and by extension, the MAEP, is committed to inclusion and diversity—including a diversity of craft/media and artists exhibited. Click the link for more information about Mia's DEIA Policies. 


Proposal Restrictions 

Mia adheres to state and federal laws, guidelines, and best practices within the museum field to ensure visitor safety and artwork preservation. To that end, the program has strict restrictions and protocols that must be adhered to. Closely read the following restrictions and guidelines before applying to the program.   

  • Artists must reside in the state of Minnesota to receive the MAEP. Minnesota Institute of Art employees and degree-seeking students are not eligible, regardless of program or degree. State residency is required for all artists listed in groups or collectives applying to the program. 
  • Weapons are banned from the museum premises for the safety of Mia's 750,000 annual visitors. In addition, no live ammunition, gunpowder, or explosives will be permitted as components of works of art.
  • All accepted proposals must meet the Minnesota State guidelines and restrictions for electrical use and comply with ADA guidelines. Details regarding MN State's Accessibility Guidelines can be found at http://www.dli.mn.gov/ccld/accessibility.asp.
  • Mia houses a historically rich and diverse collection of objects that span millennia. Because of our collection's fragile, historical nature and for visitor safety, Mia will not accept proposals/artworks containing mold, untreated dirt, found objects, spores, living flora, and fauna. Artworks susceptible to mold or pest infestation must receive treatment before and after the exhibit. 
  • Works must be ready to be assembled and installed four (4) months before the exhibit opens. "Ready" includes but is not limited to attached hanging hardware, framed or mounted, data/files transferred or on media players, mounting hardware prepared, or assembly components attached/prepared.  
  • Construction of objects will not be permitted within the galleries. Mia is not equipped to assist with hazardous chemicals, such as cutting wood or metal, leafing or coating materials, soldering, ventilation, etc. Basic assembly of sculptures or installations is permitted with prior approval. Instructions and any necessary parts and hardware for assembly must accompany the objects. 
  • To ensure parity for all MAEP Artists, no applications proposing permanent gallery changes will be accepted. Exhibitions must be able to be removed within two days of closing an exhibition.  
  • The artist will work with Mia's exhibition teams to confirm the availability and capacity for the exhibition's needs and design. All requests must be placed six months before the exhibition's opening date. Exhibition needs include but are not limited to painting walls/pedestals, lighting needs, exhibition furniture, media players/monitors/projectors, etc. 
  • If you are considering using materials such as found objects, food, vehicles/boats, liquids, earth/dirt, live plants, or other prohibited materials (listed above), inquire with the Supervisor, MAEP, one month BEFORE applying. Installations incorporating electrical components or ceiling mounting require Mia's review and approval. Rare exceptions may apply.  
  • Flyers, brochures, or other "take-away" elements and performances are prohibited.   


Selected Artists 

Upon acceptance, the MAEP Coordinator will work with selected artists to realize the exhibition within the program's structure and staff capacity.    

  • All MAEP Artists are considered independent contractors, not Mia employees. As independent contractors, the Artist is responsible for paying any subcontractors (framers, studio assistants, etc.) and all taxes per state and federal laws. 
  • Pending force majeure, the MAEP Exhibition dates are not flexible. Dates are set by Mia's exhibition schedule and staff capacity. MAEP exhibitions are set to ensure parity between each exhibition. 
  • An MAEP Exhibition averages 15,000 to 20,000 visitors. Mia's Staff will work with Artists to ensure accessibility, artwork security, and exhibition design. 
  • Artists are asked to provide a final checklist and have all artworks completed and installation ready four (4) months before the exhibition's opening date. Ready includes but is not limited to the placement of D-rings, cleats, installation hardware, etc. 
  • Mia will coordinate soft-packing and shipment of artworks to the museum. If artwork assembly is required, the Artist must include all instructions, templates, or hardware with the delivery unless otherwise agreed to.  
  • MAEP Artists will receive two payments totaling $13,500—one upon signing the contract and the second upon the exhibition opening. Artists are encouraged to apply for additional support, grants, and resources beyond the stipends as required. 
  • MAEP Exhibitions are provided with one (1) programming opportunity, the Artist Talk. 
  • All artworks must remain on view for the complete duration of the exhibition, with exceptions for force majeure or conservation purposes.    


Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility 

Mia is committed to policies and practices that value diversity, foster equity, and empower an accessible and inclusive environment. For more information on Mia's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Policy, visit https://new.artsmia.org/about/museum-info/diversity-and-inclusion-policy/.   


Questions? 

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