CTSI Culture Staff are seeking work by Siletz Tribal Artists for the Roots and Visions: Celebrating Tribal Art exhibit at the Coos Art Museum.
Roots and Visions: Celebrating Tribal Art
Coos Art Museum – 235 Anderson Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420
October 24th, 2025 – January 18th, 2026
About the Exhibit
- Co-curated with museum staff, CTCLUSI & Coquille Indian Tribe
- Seeking works tied to Siletz heritage
- Works in any visual medium considered
- Works chosen will appear alongside historic treasures from CTSI Cultural Collections
- Unpaid opportunity, shipping covered & Coos Art Museum connects artists with potential buyers, if desired
Applications are due June 27th, 2025.
Description
The Siletz Tribal Cultural Programs Department had been invited to develop the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians’ contribution to an exhibit at the Coos Art Museum. The exhibit is titled, Roots and Visions: Celebrating Tribal Art, is being co-developed by CTSI, the Coos Art Museum, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians and the Coquille Indian Tribe.
For CTSI’s contribution, we are requesting that Siletz Tribal Members submit original works of art that they feel are connected to their tribal heritage. Cultural Programs Staff will select multiple contributions that show artistic mastery, demonstrate clear connections to Siletz heritage, and are feasible to display. Staff will then work with selected artists to pair their contribution with a work from the Siletz Tribal Cultural Collections, if feasible, such as baskets, historic photos, or other appropriate items.
Deliverable
Physical artworks in any medium (up to 4 contributions per applicant) for display at the Coos Art Museum, to be displayed 10/24/2025 – 1/18/2026. The Coos Art Museum has agreed to cover shipping costs. Artists will not be compensated for participation, but contributors wishing to sell their work can authorize Coos Art Museum to give their information to interested buyers.
Timeline
| June 27 | Application deadline. Proposals received after this date may not be fully considered. |
| By July 25 | Contributions selected and applicants notified |
| July-September | Discussions and curation with selected artists. Separate opportunity for merchandise sales at museum store. |
| October 1 | Shipping to Coos Art Museum |
| October 18 | Artworks must be received must be received by the Coos Art Museum for installation. |
| October 24 | 5-7 pm Tribal Opening & Reception at Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay |
| October 25 | General Public opening |
| January 18, 2026 | Exhibit closes and de-installation begins. Works returned to artists over following weeks. Artwork sales arranged during the exhibit can be finalized at or after this time. |
Selection of Artists
CTSI hopes to select multiple Siletz Tribal member artists to contribute to this unique intertribal art show. Applicants are encouraged to submit photos of original works from their portfolio in any physical medium suitable for public museum display (such as painting, photography, sculpture, basketry, etc.) that they feel is connected to their Siletz heritage. A review committee of Cultural Program staff will evaluate the applications according to the following criteria:
- Complete application received by deadline, June 27, 2025
- Artistic Mastery (aesthetically pleasing and demonstrate skill, craftsmanship, and/or creativity).
- Connection to Siletz heritage (artists’ statement requested, evaluated based on staff’s ability to pair applicant works with Siletz Tribal Cultural Collections).
- Feasibility to safely, ship, install, and exhibit in a museum setting.
Any Siletz Tribal member age 18 years or older is welcome to apply.
How to Apply
Complete the Roots & Visions CTSI Call for Artists Proposal Form on this page, or print it and return it to the contact person listed below.
Complete submissions must be received by the priority deadline, June 27, 2025 for full consideration. Proposals may be submitted via online form (below), email or mail:
Contact Peter Hatch, History & Archeology Specialist
Email: peterh@ctsi.nsn.us Please write “Call for Artists” in the subject line
Mail: attn:Peter Hatch CTSI Cultural Programs PO Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380
The deadline to apply was June 27th, 2025.