Celebrating a Milestone: A Mural for America’s 250th
On a breezy afternoon along the Missouri River, families linger near the trailheads and playgrounds, the kind of everyday Bismarck scene that organizers say they hope to capture in color and texture on a new public mural marking the nation’s 250th birthday. Early planning is underway for a Burleigh County–area mural to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial in 2026, with local arts partners beginning to sketch out themes and a public process to choose a site and design.
The project’s aim is straightforward: create a shared civic landmark that ties national history to the people and places of the Bismarck-Mandan community. The effort aligns with the national America250 initiative, a multi-year commemoration led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission that “invites every American to participate” in the 2026 observance, according to America250’s mission statement America250. While the mural details are still being shaped, organizers are looking to coordinate with the City of Bismarck’s Arts & Culture Commission, which guides public art in the community, and with Burleigh County staff on siting and maintenance considerations City of Bismarck Arts & Culture Commission.
Why this matters: public art is a visible way to mark a once-in-a-generation anniversary while anchoring it in local stories. A mural that nods to the Missouri River, Fort Abraham Lincoln, the Capitol skyline, and the region’s Indigenous and immigrant heritage can become a civic touchstone for residents and a learning tool for students. It also offers a way for residents to directly shape how the community tells its story at a pivotal national moment.
The Vision Behind the Mural
The design concept taking shape blends national symbols with distinctly local history. Organizers say they’re exploring imagery that connects the Declaration of Independence’s ideals to Burleigh County—think riverine blues and prairie palettes, the outline of the State Capitol’s Art Deco tower, and vignettes of agriculture, rail, energy, health care, and education that have defined the region. The State Historical Society of North Dakota’s collections and archives are among the resources being consulted to ground the mural in documented local narratives State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Another priority, according to arts advocates, is to ensure the mural reflects the area’s Indigenous histories and contemporary voices. That includes engaging Tribal cultural educators and historians in early design conversations so symbols and scenes connected to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara peoples are represented with care and accuracy. Organizers note that the work will follow best practices for public art—clear attribution of sources, community feedback loops, and an artist selection process that weighs both concept and lived experience.
At a practical level, the mural is envisioned as welcoming and durable. That points to high-visibility walls with steady foot traffic—near downtown corridors, riverfront routes, or civic buildings—paired with materials and coatings that can withstand North Dakota winters. Final dimensions and placement will be set after site assessments and permitting discussions with local officials.
Community Impact and Engagement
Public art resonates most when the public can touch the process. Expect a mix of open houses, classroom listening sessions, and pop-up idea boards at community events where residents can share stories, phrases, and elements they’d like to see depicted. Local arts partners say they want to gather input from youth groups, veterans, small business owners, and culture bearers, and to ensure accessibility for people who don’t typically weigh in on civic projects.
Residents who want to track and shape the project can start with a few straightforward steps:
Watch the City of Bismarck Arts & Culture Commission meeting page for agendas and public comment opportunities: bismarcknd.gov/3186
Follow the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC for arts-related announcements and community forums: bismarckmandan.com
Property owners downtown who are open to hosting a mural wall can connect with the Bismarck Downtowners to learn about feasibility and coordination: downtownbismarck.com
Community leaders frame the mural as both celebration and civics lesson. In their view, inviting residents to help choose themes and review drafts is as important as the finished artwork. The final design will likely incorporate brief text or QR codes linking to local history resources so passersby can dig deeper into the stories behind the images.
Navigating Funding and Logistics
Funding will draw from a blend of public and private sources common to community art projects: competitive grants, business sponsorships, individual gifts, and in-kind support like wall preparation and lifts. Organizers plan to pursue state arts funding where eligible, including programs administered by the North Dakota Council on the Arts that support community-based arts and public engagement North Dakota Council on the Arts.
On approvals, murals on public or prominent private property typically undergo site review, coordination with facilities staff, and, if needed, historic or zoning checks before paint hits the wall. The City of Bismarck’s Arts & Culture Commission serves as a public forum for concept review and community input on public art, with final decisions and maintenance commitments shaped in partnership with property owners and the relevant public body City of Bismarck Arts & Culture Commission. Burleigh County will be involved if county-owned property or resources are part of the project; residents can track county meeting agendas at burleighco.com.
Timeline specifics will follow the site decision and artist selection. The working goal, organizers say, is to move design and approvals forward in 2025 so installation can be completed ahead of the 2026 observance. That schedule allows time for weather windows, community feedback, and fundraising milestones.
Looking Forward to 2026
The mural is expected to be a centerpiece—not the entirety—of local semiquincentennial activity. Cultural institutions like the State Historical Society, area museums, and libraries regularly build lecture series and exhibits around major anniversaries, and the America250 network offers teaching tools and program ideas that local partners can adapt America250. Schools and colleges, including the University of Mary and Bismarck State College, may explore tie-ins such as student research displays or oral history projects aligning with the mural’s themes.
Regionally, communities across the country are planning public art, time capsules, and place-based storytelling to mark 2026. The Bismarck-Mandan approach—grounded in the river, the prairie, and the city’s mix of heritage and industry—aims to add a distinctive local voice to the national chorus.
What’s Ahead
Key next steps include confirming a site, opening a call for artists, and scheduling public input sessions. Residents can expect updates through city and county meeting agendas, as well as announcements from local arts partners and business groups.
If you’d like to be notified when the public input period opens, sign up for meeting alerts from the City of Bismarck and keep an eye on the Bismarck Downtowners and Chamber EDC event calendars. Businesses interested in sponsorships or in-kind support can reach out to local arts organizations to discuss options.
What to Watch
Look for a draft timeline and site shortlist to come before the Arts & Culture Commission in the months ahead, followed by a public call for artists. Funding applications and early design workshops are likely to roll out in 2025 so installation can be completed before the 2026 semiquincentennial. Watch city and county agendas for action items tied to approvals and maintenance agreements.
