<em>Great Rivers Biennial 2024: Saj Issa, Basil Kincaid, Ronald Young</em>, installation view, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, September 6, 2024–February 9, 2025. Photo: Izaiah Johnson.
Great Rivers Biennial 2024: Saj Issa, Basil Kincaid, Ronald Young, installation view, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, September 6, 2024–February 9, 2025. Photo: Izaiah Johnson.

Great Rivers Biennial

Established in 2003, the Great Rivers Biennial Art Award is a collaborative exhibition program presented by CAM and the Gateway Foundation. This major initiative identifies talented emerging and mid-career artists working in the greater St. Louis metro area, provides them with financial assistance, and elevates their profile across the Midwest and national arts communities. Every two years, three winners are selected by a panel of independent jurors to receive $20,000 and are featured in the Great Rivers Biennial exhibition at CAM.

Selection Process

A distinguished panel of independent jurors reviews all submissions that meet the eligibility requirements. The jurors choose ten semi-finalists and travel to St. Louis to conduct studio visits. Afterward, the jurors select up to three winners. CAM curatorial staff may attend the studio visits; however the selection process is made exclusively by the three jurors.

The call for artists for the Great Rivers Biennial 2026 will open on June 1, 2025. 

Eligibility

Categories

Drawing, film and video, installation, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture

Eligibility

  • Artist must currently reside in the St. Louis metro area, including St. Louis City and the counties of St. Louis, Jefferson, and St. Charles in Missouri or St. Clair and Madison in Illinois.
  • Artist must have lived in the St. Louis metro area (six counties) for at least one year prior to the application deadline.
  • Artist must continue to reside in the St. Louis metro area during the designated planning, production, and exhibition period.
  • Artist may not have previously received a Great Rivers Biennial award.
  • Artist may be a degree-seeking graduate student. All other students are ineligible.
  • Artist must be available for a studio visit with the jurors at the designated time, which is announced in advance. Alternative spaces may be arranged if artist does not have a studio. The jurors will choose ten semi-finalists to receive these visits. Visits must be in-person, not by phone or video.

Resources

CAM Floor Plan

Youtube video: 2021 GRB Application Workshop

Past Recipients

2024 Saj Issa, Basil Kincaid, and Ronald Young
2022 Yowshien Kuo, Yvonne Osei, and Jon Young
2020 Kahlil Robert Irving, Tim Portlock, and Rachel Youn
2018 Addoley Dzegede, Sarah Paulsen, and Jacob Stanley
2016 Lyndon Barrois Jr., Nanette Boileau, and Tate Foley
2014 Brandon Anschultz, Carlie Trosclair, and Cayce Zavaglia
2012 David Johnson, Asma Kazmi, and Mel Trad
2010 Martin Brief, Sarah Frost, and Cameron Fuller
2008 Juan William Chávez, Corey Escoto, Michelle Oosterbaan
2006 Jason Wallace Triefenbach, Moses, and Matthew Strauss
2004 Jill Downen, Adam Frelin, and Kim Humphries