City of Columbia, MO

11/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/10/2025 08:48

City of Columbia launches Artist Laureate Program

P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2025

CONTACT: Kristin Gadsden
Program Specialist
Office of Cultural Affairs
City of Columbia
[email protected]
573.874.6387

City of Columbia launches Artist Laureate Program

(COLUMBIA, MO)- The City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs is launching the City's first Artist Laureate Program in 2026. This program is designed to recognize the work and contributions of experienced Columbia artists, providing them further opportunities to educate, advocate and represent the community through their own creative initiatives.

Local artists working in the disciplines for consideration include fine and visual arts, performing arts and literary arts. The Artist Laureate Program will include three creative elements: the creation of an original work of art inspired by Columbia, an educational workshop or presentation and a community engagement project. The selected artist will also participate in a number of City-sponsored events throughout the year.

The Artist Laureate will serve for a one-year term and receive a $5,000 budget to include all program-related expenses. The program is being funded through a grant from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

The City's Commission on Cultural Affairs will review applications and choose finalists based on artists' artistic and technical merit, strength of past work and a proposal of their work for the program if chosen.

Interested applicants must submit an application by 5 p.m. Dec. 19, 2025. Full program guidelines and eligibility information available at CoMo.gov/arts.


City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.

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City of Columbia, MO published this content on November 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 10, 2025 at 14:48 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]