The Choctaw Nation is actively seeking Choctaw artists working in all styles and media, including paintings on paper and
canvas, dimensional work, murals, drawings, photography, sculpture, basketry, pottery, beadwork, carvings, and weavings
for the new Hugo Tribal Services building expansion. Artwork will be carefully selected for its significance and connection
to the vision of the project. Currently, existing facility artwork includes historic photography. High quality works with
similar or complementary themes are appreciated, but diversification is welcome. The vision for the Hugo Tribal Services
building expansion art project is to curate a collection of Choctaw-driven artwork that reflects historic themes, highlights
traditional foods, and showcases the unique perspectives and rich history of the Choctaw Nation.
BACKGROUND:
All the services provided by the Choctaw Nation have been carefully designed to ensure that each tribal member can look
forward to a bright, prosperous future. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is honored to present tribal members with
an extensive list of programs and services available to the Chahta people. At the Hugo Tribal Services building, Choctaw
Nation of Oklahoma associates will continue to work hard to ensure that the needs of tribal members are met through a
variety of services.
To better understand the significance of this project, it is also important to acknowledge the history of the area where
this building is located. Found in Hugo, Oklahoma, the expansion of the Tribal Services building is indicative of growth
within Choctaw County. Prior to Oklahoma statehood, Choctaw County existed as a portion of Jackson, Kiamichi, Cedar,
and Towson Counties of the Choctaw Nation. In 1824, the U.S. Army established Fort Towson, the second oldest fort
in Indian Territory, in present-day Choctaw County. Choctaw people first began settling in this area in 1831–32 after
the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was signed and Choctaw people were forced to walk the Trail of Tears to Indian
Territory. Another significant moment in the county’s history is the founding of Goodland Academy. Tracing its roots to an
1848 Presbyterian mission, the Goodland Presbyterian Children’s Home, four miles south of Hugo, is one of Oklahoma’s
oldest such agencies still in existence. The community the newly expanded Hugo Tribal Services building will serve is
directly connected to these and other significant moments of Choctaw history.
While not a requirement, it is this history and the core value of service that this commission of public artwork seeks to
honor, reflect upon, and explore.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is the largest of the three federally recognized bands of Choctaws and is the thirdlargest federally recognized tribe in the United States. In August of 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in McGirt v. Oklahoma
that the federal government never officially dissolved the Muskogee Creek reservation, a decision that extends to the
Choctaw Nation as well. The Choctaw Nation’s reservation covers nearly 11,000 square miles in Southeastern Oklahoma.
The region’s topography includes the Kiamichi mountains, prairies, cypress swamps, rivers, and woodlands. Fishing,
hunting, and camping are popular activities, especially in the eastern part of the reservation. It is a place rich in natural
resources and home to people of deep faith, strong ties to family and a resilient cultural heritage. The Choctaw Nation
Tribal Headquarters building is located in Durant, but the capital of the Choctaw Nation is in Tuskahoma. The Tuskahoma
capitol building now houses the Tuskahoma Capitol Museum, and the grounds host thousands of people at the annual
Labor Day Festival each year. The Tribal Council also holds monthly meetings at Tuskahoma. The Tribal Council is made
up of one representative from each of the Nation’s 12 districts. Both the executive and judicial branches of the Choctaw
Nation’s government operate in Durant near HQ. The tribal nations of Oklahoma were responsible for an incredible
economic impact of more than $15 billion in 2019 alone. The Tribe employs over 12,000 people and operates several
businesses, including three casino resorts and multiple casinos, travel plazas and restaurants. In addition, the Nation owns
and operates health, manufacturing, and recycling facilities.
ELIGIBILITY:
This invitational call is open to Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal members or Choctaw CDIB holders. Artists will apply
with available works for acquisition and confirm if they are open to commissions and licensing of their work.
SELECTION PROCESS:
A panel will oversee the selection process directly from submissions sent in. The artists whose works are selected will be
notified by June 2024. If an artwork is selected for purchase, the artist must hold the artwork until it is procured.
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
A Artistic merit
A Appropriateness for public setting
A Artist and artistic diversity in the collection
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Choctaw artists are invited through an open call to submit work that is ambitious and embodies the requirements listed.
A Completed application form
A Images of work
A PDF of current available works including: photographs of works, labeled with artist’s name, title of artwork, size,
medium and pricing.
A Artist resume or CV
A Artist statement: no more than two paragraphs in length, should articulate the rationale that
A drives the artist’s process.
A Links to websites also welcome.
Artist materials can be sent in one of the following ways:
A Linked in the submission form below to a Cloud storage folder (i.e., Google Drive, OneDrive,
A Dropbox, etc.)
A E-mailed to Public Arts Manager, Claire Green Young. (ccyoung@choctawnation.com)
A Mailed to:
Choctaw Nation Public Arts Department Attn: Claire Green Young
180 Chukka Hina
Durant, OK 74701
Postmarks are acceptable as proof of meeting deadline.
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
First Name (Required) Last Name (Required)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address (Required)
________________________________________________________ ____________________________ _____________________
City (Required) State (Required) Zip Code (Required)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email (Required)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone (Required)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Link to Submission Material (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.)
Open to licensing? (Required)
□ YES
□ NO
Open to commissions? (Required)
□ YES
□ NO
Submission Checklist (Required)
By checking off each box, you acknowledge that the corresponding material has been included in your link shared above, will be emailed
to Choctaw Nation Public Arts (ccyoung@choctawnation.com), or will be physically mailed by April 18th, 2024 at 5pm PT.
□ Photos/images of work
□ PDF or list of available works
□ Artist resume
□ Artist statement
Member Status
□ I confirm that I am a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal member or Choctaw CDIB.
