Open Call for Artists

fountain project 2026:
A Belger Arts-Powell Gardens collaboration

Belger Arts is pleased to announce a collaboration involving the Belger Glass Annex and Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden. The project brings together a team of glass artists to create a custom glass installation. The Belger Glass Annex designed a blown glass fountain depicted in the digital renderings shown below.

Conceptual rendering of large-scale design

This project provides glass artists the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with and learning from peers from across the country while completing an ambitious project inspired by Kansas City’s distinction as the “City of Fountains.” The finished glass fountain will be installed and unveiled at Powell Gardens in May 2026.

Now Belger Arts is seeking nine glass artists for the fabrication and installation of the design’s functional and decorative glass components. The nine-person team will consist of three gaffers and six assistants. The team will create the fountain in the Belger Glass Annex and participate in its transportation, assembly, and installation.

Who is eligible?

Early to established glass artists based in the United States.

Timeline:

Application deadline: January 16, 2026 11:59PM (CST)
Notification of artists: Week of February 9, 2026
Project dates: April 23 through May 2, 2026
Unveiling date: May 2, 2026. The unveiling is open to the public, and tickets will be available at www.PowellGardens.org

Application requirements:

Images (jpeg format, no larger than 300 dpi) of three different works, not to exceed six images. Images should be labeled with first initial, period, and last name, followed by the corresponding number on the accompanying images list (example: J.Smith01.jpeg).
- An accompanying image list providing dimensions (inches), weight, materials used, date completed, and any additional relevant information
Résumé with name and contact information
Completion of the General Application Form

Email the above items to tkimball@belgerarts.org, with the subject line “Belger Arts Fountain Project” by January 16, 2026, 11:59PM (CST).

Selected artists will be provided with the following:

Shared living accommodations.
Three daily meals.
At the conclusion of the project on May 2, gaffers will receive a $800 stipend. Assistants will receive $400.
Opportunities to participate in public glassblowing demonstrations.
Optional planned evening activities.

Project Partners:

• Belger Arts is an arts organization with three locations in Kansas City, Missouri’s urban core. The Belger Arts Center exhibits contemporary art from the Belger Collection, and by a rich variety of local, national, and international artists. Belger Crane Yard Studios is an arts complex that provides studio and exhibition space for artists, plus a range of programming in ceramics education. The Belger Glass Annex is a state-of-the-art glass studio that hosts artist demos, provides studio space for artists and educational programs.

• Powell Gardens is a non-profit public garden with a mission to be an experience thatembraces the Midwest spirit of place and inspires an appreciation for the importance ofplants in our lives. Powell Gardens maintains a vast acreage of lush, rolling hills andwindswept meadows, with more than 175 acres and a large collection of plants open tothe public for education, exploration, and recreation. Powell Gardens providesmeaningful outdoor experiences for the Kansas City community and beyond.

For questions or additional information, please contact Tyler Kimball at tkimball@belgerarts.org.