Open Call for Community Collaborations, Presentations and Dialogue
Dubuque Rendezvous! is seeking artists, poets, musicians, writers, performers, activists, students, scientists, teachers, people of faith, farmers, workers, makers and thinkers to create and share projects that envision and engage environmental change. We are calling for proposals from individuals and groups who care about the impact of the climate crisis on our environment and communities and want to share projects, presentations and dialogue.
About the Event: Dubuque Rendezvous! a cooler world gathering, is a cultural platform, community gathering and climate forum in Dubuque, Iowa in June 2026. Featuring a month-long exhibition of outdoor sculpture installations and a four-day festival from June 25 – 28, Dubuque Rendezvous! will present performance projects, community events, exhibitions, presentations, and public forums. Programming will emphasize environmental awareness, cultural communication, climate sustainability and collaborative inspiration. Participation will be sought locally, inter/nationally and across the Mississippi River watershed. All events will be free and open to the public.
Dubuque Rendezvous! will be built by your ideas. Artists, organizations and everyone is encouraged to propose projects. The Mississippi River is a gathering of its tributaries and sources in the same way that a culture collects the narratives and traditions of its people. Dubuque Rendezvous! will be a gathering of collective inspiration.
All are welcome!
About the Venue: Located on the Mississippi River, Dubuque provides a visually and conceptually compelling site to create inspiring installations and dialogues. Project and event sites will be located throughout the city, including art spaces, Mississippi River sites, natural areas, city parks and other public spaces.
Community Projects
** Review of submissions for Community Projects will begin March 1, 2026; however, submissions will continue to be accepted as programming space allows. **
If you or your organization is interested in proposing a collaborative project with Dubuque Rendezvous!, please submit the following form. This form helps us understand your idea clearly so we can determine fit, scheduling, and how (or if) we can help promote it. These proposals are for self-supported projects in collaboration with Dubuque Rendezvous! We will accommodate and support proposals to the best of our ability. The execution and realization will be the responsibility of the individual/ group submitting the proposal.
Criteria for Evaluation: Submissions will be evaluated based on their relevance to the theme of Dubuque Rendezvous! Submitted materials should demonstrate appropriateness for public presentation, support environmental and climate awareness and/or celebrate the natural world. All submissions will be considered for inclusion.
Scheduling: If you are interested in participating in one of the Dubuque Rendezvous! programs outlined below, you can apply as a presenter
Presentations and Dialogue
** Review of submissions for Presentations and Dialogue will begin March 1, 2026; however, submissions will continue to be accepted as programming space allows. **
If you or your organization is interested in sharing a presentation or opportunity for community dialogue during Dubuque Rendezvous!, please submit the following form. Presentations will be shared within multi-disciplinary programming including music, performance, spoken word and open mic audience sharing. Presentations should be limited to 15 minutes to support a wide range of participation. Climate change affects all of the elements of life. We will review submissions for consideration in one of the following programs: Air, Water, Earth and Fire/Energy. Please let us know which program you are interested in joining in your submission.
Criteria for Evaluation: Submissions will be evaluated based on their relevance to the theme of Dubuque Rendezvous! Submitted materials should demonstrate appropriateness for public presentation, support environmental and climate awareness and/or celebrate the natural world. Proposals should be focused on one of the four element streams of the gathering: Air, Water, Earth, or Fire/Energy. Proposals should be for short-duration presentations. Submissions should be compelling and clearly explain how the presentation will function as a catalyst to inspire cultural change, environmental sustainability and climate action.
Schedule Overview Below
Air Program: Thursday, June 25
Air is existential, as breath and atmosphere, giving us the beauty of the evening sky and carrying the expression of music. Air surrounds us and inspires us. The importance of the atmosphere and air quality, the significance of airborne communities – birds and insects, and carbon absorbing landscapes – forests and oceans. How our atmosphere is changing and its impact on our lives.
Water Program: Friday, June 26
This stream reflects our relationship with the forms of water, as clouds and rain, as the Mississippi River and cupped in our hands. The significance of the water cycle and weather patterns, rainfall, sea levels and marine communities. How our experience of water brings us joy and how the effect of the climate crisis on our water systems affects our sense of well-being.
Earth Program: Saturday, June 27
The earth sustains us and infinite communities of plants and animals. We all know the fresh smell of dirt and the feel of damp soil on our hands, the transformation of seeds into fields and forests. Every cell in our body is formed from the earth and returns to the earth. The importance of the living earth, and organic and sustainable living and farming practices, conservation and reuse, biodiversity and species protection.
Fire / Energy Program: Saturday, June 27
We are living in a sunlit garden in infinite night. The sun is everything. Fire is energy, it is electricity, it is the spark of life. Fire is the destroyer and the creator, burning forests and creating new growth. This stream considers the importance of energy sources, conservation, and the good of technology – solar and wind farms, and the damaging – data centers and nuclear waste. Energy runs throughout our lives and livelihoods.
Community Climate Council: Sunday, June 28
Generate community and climate action ideas and resolutions. Open-mic forum and dialogue.
Eligibility: There are no restrictions on who can submit a proposal. We are dedicated to supporting everyone’s artistic work and creative vision. We are hoping to engage artists across a broad spectrum of diversity within their work and identity with particular emphasis on supporting the artistic work of BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, womxn artists, immigrant artists, artists from rural communities, and artists with disabilities. Through this project we hope to assemble a creative community expressing racial, cultural and geographic diversity and supporting youth and elder artists.
Questions: Questions about the proposals can be sent to Tamsie Ringler: [email protected] and Gina Bell: [email protected]