The MAEP Proposal 

The MAEP is now accepting applications for the Winter 2027-2028 Exhibition (November 20, 2027-February 20, 2028). 

The Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program (MAEP) is a juried exhibition program. An advisory committee of Minnesota-based artists and Mia staff reviews applications and selects one recipient during each open call. If selected, you’ll receive a $13,500 grant to realize your vision in a gallery space at Mia. You’ll also receive regular support from Mia staff, including art preparators, exhibition and lighting designers, registrars, media relations experts, and our programming team, among others.

Proposals and exhibitions are subject to budget and program constraints. See below for more details.     

ELIGIBILITY

The MAEP supports emerging and midcareer artists looking to complete, display, or advance a body of work to its next stage, especially within a museum context. If previously exhibited, please indicate how the MAEP would differ from past exhibitions. 

Residency

Selected artists must currently reside and remain in the state of Minnesota through the duration of the exhibition. (travel, residencies, etc. are permitted)

Exclusions

The program isn’t open to degree-seeking students (regardless of program or degree type), individuals under 18 years of age, or permanent Mia employees.

APPLICATION

We accept applications online via Submittable and won’t review emailed or mailed applications.

Technical note: Submittable functions best on updated Chrome or Firefox browsers. You can’t edit your application after submission. Make sure your browser is updated before applying.

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. 

THE PROPOSAL

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

Artist Statement (500 words, short and concise) Address the what, how, and why of your overarching practice. Tell us where this project falls within your broader career. Avoid biographies (unless project-relevant) or open-ended questions.

Exhibition Proposal (500 words) Provide a clear description of the specific exhibition. Outline what you’ll display, how artworks convey core concepts, and why Mia is the right venue. Keep the “elevator pitch” to a small portion of this section. Use plain language. If you're selected, this will be included in the contract

Upload your CV/Resume (2-page PDF) Highlight past exhibitions, awards, and residencies. Refer to the College Art Association for standards.

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: Share 10 visual samples of your work, including past works, recent works, installations, and sketches/works-in-progress. Limit to work you’ve created within the last five years, unless directly relevant.

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

• High-resolution photos: 300 PPI or 3,000 x 2,000 pixels
• Captions: Include title, date, media, and dimensions (or caption such as “Installation view”). Max 25 words per sample to explain image selection.
• Media limits: Keep audio and video clips under 2 minutes, 30 seconds (don’t upload full-length pieces).
• Accuracy: Ensure high lighting/focus quality, and match all text cross-references (e.g., “See work sample 10”). 

Floor Plans: Provide a layout of your proposed setup. Refer to this map and visit the U.S. Bank Gallery (257) in person to map out possibilities.

File types allowed: JPG, MOV, WAV, WMV, PDF. Hand-drawn floor plans, virtual renderings, and elevation plans accepted.

General Application Tips

Familiarize yourself: Attend current MAEP exhibitions, go to the Artist Talks, attend Artist Salons, and speak with current and past MAEP artists about their experiences.

Refine your writing: Use direct, active language (e.g., “I will . . .” instead of “I would like to . . .”). Keep the focus entirely on your voice—don’t use quotes or direct comparisons to other artists or writers.

Get feedback: Host studio visits with peers, critics, and friends to refine your materials based on constructive feedback.

Be realistic: Evaluate your physical and financial capacities. The project must be feasible for your capacity. You don’t have to “go big”—small-scale work may also form the center of your proposal.

Questions to Consider

Narrative: Why is this work important? How do your concepts connect to physical forms? What story should visitors experience? How has your concept evolved over time?

Installation: How is your work installed? What hardware and equipment do you need? Will your artwork hang on the wall? From the ceiling? Is it a freestanding structure?

Experience: What media and how many works will you display? How will viewers navigate the space? How does this exhibition advance your practice?

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. 

Program Restrictions and Museum Guidelines

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 Mia adheres to strict state and federal regulations to protect its collection and maintain safety. Review these restrictions carefully. We’ll disqualify applications containing prohibited materials.

Safety violations: No weapons, live ammunition, gunpowder, or explosives.

Organic and biological hazards: No mold, untreated dirt, spores, living flora/fauna, food, or items susceptible to pest infestation. If you’re considering using found objects, liquids, earth, or vehicles, email us at least two weeks before you apply.

Mia’s collection: Use of Mia’s permanent collection artworks is strictly prohibited.

Gallery modifications: No permanent structural changes allowed. No construction (wood/metal cutting, chemical use, soldering) is permitted inside galleries. Basic assembly is permitted with prior approval.

Public programming restrictions: Performances in the gallery, flyers, brochures, or take-away elements are prohibited.

Media and promotions: All MAEP exhibition-related media and promotions must be approved by Mia’s public relations team.

Flyers, brochures, or other "take-away" elements and performances are prohibited.  

Compliance and Accessibility: All electrical components and accessibility features must comply with Minnesota state regulations and ADA guidelines. Electrical or ceiling-mounted installations require advance review and approval from Mia.

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? 

Email the MAEP. Submittable works best on Chrome and Firefox browsers. If you experience tech issues, click the "?" icon at the top of the page for assistance.