Sculptors Needed for Sculpture Walk Across Nebraska

Grand Island, Neb. — Professional and emerging artists are invited to submit sculptures for outdoor exhibit to Sculpture Walk Across Nebraska (SWAN). The deadline to submit up to six entries for the 2026-2027 season is October 31. Applications are available by clicking the yellow tab on SWAN’s website, which is https://sculpturewalkne.com/.

Artists have the choice of participating in one or any of the eight SWAN communities throughout the state. Notification of selection takes place in late November, with installation the first week in May. A $1.000 stipend per selected piece is presented to the artists upon installation. The stipend is to be used for travel and lodging. An additional $500 is presented to the artists who created each community’s People’s Choice winner.

“It’s great to work as part of an eight-community collaboration,” Dana Jelinek with Sculpture Walk Railside said. “We each bring unique skills and visions, but try as much as possible to be consistent in our operations.”

SWAN started in Norfolk and has gradually expanded to include Grand Island, Columbus, Valentine, North Platte and Ogallala. Cozad and Fremont will be joining in 2026. SWAN’s goal is to add art that will inspire, entertain and educate, while providing additional attractions for visitors and community members.

“Since SWAN is throughout the state, once people visit one sculpture walk, we hope they will seek out the sculptures in the other communities,” said Traci Jeffrey of the Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau.

One of SWAN’s priorities is to market the artists through brochures and maps, made readily available at various venues. Plaques with the names of artists, descriptions of pieces and the purchase prices are also at each sculpture. Both websites and social media also showcase the sculptures throughout the state.

Another goal of SWAN is to market the sculptures. If a sculpture sells, it will remain on display through the end of the exhibit, before going to its new home. 25% of the purchase price remains with the sculpture walk from which the piece was purchased, which helps to build sustainability for the local programs.

Artists seeking more information may email [email protected].