artists respond: weaving social connection (twin cities)

Springboard for the Arts is seeking up to six artists or artist teams to collaborate with two Twin Cities-based community organizations: Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) and The Aliveness Project. These partnerships are part of Artists Respond: Weaving Social Connection, a national initiative rooted in the belief that creativity is essential to community well-being.

Artists Respond: Weaving Social Connection supports artists and community organizations in co-creating projects that build connection and reduce isolation. This work responds to a growing crisis: loneliness and social disconnection are now recognized as urgent public health issues, with impacts on mental and physical health comparable to smoking or heart disease. Artists are essential in this moment, not just for what they make, but for how they help people feel seen, heard, and part of something larger.

We are looking for artists who want to co-create meaningful, relationship-centered work in collaboration with staff, participants, and communities at each organization. This is not a call for a finished proposal. Selected artists will work closely with their assigned site to shape a project that reflects that organization’s values, goals, and day-to-day realities.

Timeline

• September 25, 2025: In-person cohort convening + project planning session
• October 2025–September 2026: Project development and implementation
• Fall 2026: Project wrap-up and storytelling share-out