Contemporary Indigeneity 2027

For the sixth iteration of Contemporary Indigeneity, the Great Plains Art Museum seeks Native American artists addressing any issues and themes relevant to the contemporary Indigenous experience on the Great Plains. A panel of Native American art professionals will review the submitted work and make selections based on the artwork’s aesthetic merit and contribution to the field of contemporary art.

For the sixth iteration of Contemporary Indigeneity, the Great Plains Art Museum seeks Native American artists addressing any themes relevant to the contemporary Indigenous experience on the Great Plains. A panel of Native American art professionals will review the submitted work and make selections based on the artwork’s aesthetic merit and contribution to the field of contemporary art.  

The Great Plains Art Museum and Center for Great Plains Studies are committed to increasing the representation of and providing a platform for Native artists in their collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. Contemporary Indigeneity plays a key role in that initiative. 

The Center for Great Plains Studies loosely defines the Great Plains as a region that stretches westward from the Missouri River at Omaha and Kansas City to the Rocky Mountains and northward from the Texas Panhandle into the Canadian Prairie Provinces.  

Visit go.unl.edu/contemporary-indigeneity to learn more about past exhibitions and go.unl.edu/plainsart to learn more about the museum.

There is no fee to apply. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (CST) on February 5, 2027.  

Each applicant may submit up to three (3) works for consideration, but not all submitted works may be included in the exhibition. All submissions must be original works of art and created during or after 2025. Artwork previously exhibited at the museum will not be considered. 

There are no limitations on artwork media. Two-dimensional artwork cannot exceed 70 inches on the longest side (frame included). Three-dimensional artwork and its packaging cannot exceed 135 inches in length and girth combined and cannot weigh more than 100 pounds. 

All submissions must be available for display during the entire run of the exhibition (September 3–December 18, 2027). The Great Plains Art Museum will cover all incoming and outgoing shipping costs. Artists are responsible for artwork presentation costs (matting, framing, etc.). 

Purchase Awards and Artwork Sales  

A limited number of works will be purchased from the exhibition for the museum’s permanent collection. Final selections will be made by museum staff based on recommendations from the jurors.  

In keeping with the educational focus of the museum, artworks selected for the exhibition will not be listed for sale while on view in the gallery. However, if a patron is interested in purchasing artwork, museum staff will connect them with the artist directly.   

Important Dates 

• Submission deadline: February 5, 2027 (11:59 p.m. CST)
• Notification of acceptance: April 1, 2027
• Artwork delivery window: July 15–August 16, 2027
• Exhibition opens: September 3, 2027; opening reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with juror panel at 6:00 p.m.
• Purchase award notifications: September 30–October 31, 2027
• Exhibition closes: December 18, 2027
• Artwork return window: January 10–21, 2028

This exhibition is open to all Native American artists who work within or address themes relevant to the Great Plains. Artists will be asked to submit proof of tribal enrollment or descendancy documentation in the application.

Artists must be 18 years or older at the time of submission.