Mandan Art Alley

The City of Mandan, in partnership with the Northern Plains Heritage Foundation and the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, is excited to announce the Mandan Art Alley Project—a public art initiative that will transform the alley behind Main Street, from 1st Avenue NW to 2nd Avenue NW, into a vibrant, interactive space in downtown Mandan. Phase 1, launching in Summer 2025, has funding to cover 5-7 murals including a mural designed and created by the community. 

 

Project Goals:

• Celebrate community stories and foster civic pride.
• Create a welcoming space for residents and visitors.
• Showcase local and regional artistic talent.

Project Themes: 

• Honoring Indigenous Traditions and Contemporary Expressions
  Murals should acknowledge the enduring presence, histories, and contemporary contributions of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, and Dakota nations, highlighting traditional lifeways, cultural revitalization efforts, and key historical figures.

• Waves of Immigration and Cultural Convergence
  Murals can explore the journeys, traditions, and impact of settlers who made the Northern Plains their home, showcasing folklore, craftsmanship, adaptation of traditions, and shared histories with Indigenous neighbors.

• Land, Water, and Community
  Artworks can reflect on the deep relationship between the people and the land, emphasizing the Missouri River, agricultural practices, sacred sites, and the Northern Plains landscape.

• Shared Histories and Contemporary Connections
  Murals can explore themes of interconnectedness, memory, and evolving identity by highlighting cultural exchange, historical events, and contemporary collaborations that bridge cultural divides.

• Looking to the Future: Youth, Innovation, and Cultural Continuity
  Artworks can reflect on the future of the region by uplifting youth narratives, blending traditional and contemporary art forms, and expressing hopes for a thriving, inclusive community.

Who can participate? 

Artists of all experience levels with connections to the Bismarck-Mandan area are encouraged to apply. The project team is hopeful that one of the murals selected will be community-designed to engage residents in design and painting.

For more details and to submit your interest, view the call for artists.