Millwork Commons 2026 Video Wall Call for Art
Applications Open August 10 - September 9, 2026
Image: Erin Giannangelo
Millwork Commons and Amplify have partnered to open a call for existing video works to display on the Video Wall in the Ashton Building! If you live within an 80-mile radius of Omaha and work in video, film, and/or moving image to create visually engaging, dynamic work that highlights the creative potential of video as a medium, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.
The Video Wall at Millwork Commons is a state-of-the-art 9-foot-by-16-foot display screen projecting art and neighborhood announcements through a variety of images, videos, and other content in the historic Ashton building at 1229 Millwork Avenue in Omaha. Millwork is seeking proposals for six original video works. Each selection will be provided a $750 licensing fee for display on the Video Wall.
The call is open August 10 - September 9, 2026. Follow the link below to apply in Submittable or keep reading to find answers to frequently asked questions.
Questions about the application process? Register for Virtual Application Office Hours below. These 20-minute appointments on Zoom connect applicants with a member of Amplify’s staff for one-on-one support on August 27 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
After registering, you’ll receive an email confirmation with a link to join your appointment.
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If you work in video, film, and/or moving image to create visually engaging, dynamic work that highlights the creative potential of video as a medium, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.
This call is to license existing video work for display on Millwork Commons’ 9-foot-by-16-foot display screen in the Ashton building. Up to six works will be selected and receive a $750 licensing fee.
To be eligible, you must maintain a residence within an 80-mile radius of Omaha, NE, be at least 19 years old, and submit a complete application, including an artist statement, a work sample, and a works cited page.
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Applicants will be asked to submit the following via Submittable.com:
An Artist Statement that describes your creative practice. If helpful, consider what questions you investigate in your practice, and/or what creative potential video as a medium holds in your work.
An Artwork Description that provides a detailed description of the work you’re submitting. Please discuss major themes, the roles of your collaborators (if any), note the length of your video, and how your work might activate engagement, discussion, and connection if displayed on the Ashton’s Video Wall.
An Artwork Sample (a link to a clip, trailer, or reel) of the work you are submitting, no more than three minutes in length.
Follow the links to view a PDF version of the full application in English and in Spanish.
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Goals and Parameters:
Prioritize local artists.
The work is visually engaging, dynamic, and highlights the creative potential of video as a medium.
Works well without sound.
The work is visually accessible, meaning it presents content in a manner that can be easily seen and/or understood by people with visual impairments.
The work does not include elements that may trigger photosensitivity such as high-frequency flashing, high-contrast patterns, and intense light sources.
The artist/s and their work exemplify the following values of Millwork Commons
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Innovation
Collaboration
Leadership
Sustainability
Authenticity
Intentional Design
Works that foreground the following content will not be considered:
Political propaganda
Religious propaganda
Explicit content (includes foul language, violence, sexually explicit, or trauma-inducing depictions)
Media and Materials:
Selected works must be available via .mov or mp4 files; no URL links will be accepted.
Selected works must be compliant with Video Wall specifications: 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high.
Selected works must have a minimum runtime of three (3) minutes and a maximum runtime of eight (8) minutes. Longer works may be considered, provided they are formatted in a serialized structure.
Projects selected for display on the Millwork Commons Video Wall will become permanent additions to Millwork Commons’ collection and will be licensed for perpetual use. Millwork Commons reserves the right to remove selected works from rotation at its discretion.
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For this RFQ, applications will be reviewed in a three-phase review process:
Amplify Arts staff will review to ensure applicants meet eligibility requirements and have submitted a complete application.
Eligible applications are then reviewed by a 3-5 member panel made up of an arts professional external to Omaha, community stakeholders, culture workers, and members of Millwork Commons’ team. They will review submissions independently and then come together as a group to deliberate and make final selections based on aggregate rankings.
Selected applicants will then be asked to provide full-length works, which will be reviewed by the Millwork team to ensure content meets all eligibility criteria before final selection.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:The work is visually engaging, dynamic, and highlights the creative potential of video as a medium.
The artist/s and their work exemplify the values of Millwork Commons.
The artwork meets the criteria listed in the goals section above.
Click to view the full evaluation rubric in English and in Spanish.
Below, you’ll find a timeline for the application review process:August 10, 2026: Applications Open
August 27, 2026, 11 am - 1 pm: Office Hours
September 9, 2026, 11:59 pm: Applications Close
September 10 - October 23, 2026: Application Review Period
Week of October 19, 2026: Application Decisions Sent
Week of October 26, 2026: Selections announced publicly by Millwork Commons and Amplify Arts
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Amplify Arts staff do not evaluate applications on behalf of project partners but do offer applicant support throughout the application process via an information session and office hours.
This application is available in:
Email info@amplifyarts.org with questions, or if you need:
Help navigating Submittable, the application submission software.
Access to a reliable wireless connection.
A quiet space to work on your application.
To speak with a member of Amplify’s staff about your application, please register for Application Office Hours.
During office hours, applicants can connect with Amplify Arts staff to receive assistance with various elements of their application:
Navigating Submittable: Get help using and troubleshooting the application submission software.
General Inquiries: Clarify guidelines related to eligibility, the selection criteria, or the requirements for application materials like the Artist Statement, Project Description, or Work Samples.
Office hours for this RFQ are available in 20 min blocks on the following date and times:
August 27, 2026, 11 am - 1 pm. Register here.
About Millwork Commons
Millwork Commons is a collaborative community designed to inspire and support the work of innovators and creators by providing engaging spaces to work, live, connect, explore, and unwind.
Embracing its industrial roots, Millwork Commons will accelerate Omaha as a technology leader, foster a new era of growth, and provide access to opportunity. A long-term goal for Millwork Commons is to strengthen Omaha’s urban core and help define the city as a culturally vibrant and inclusive place. Public art and dynamic public spaces are essential components of the community.
The Video Wall brings Millwork Commons’ vision of tech and arts together for the district in a tangible way. It exists to be an ever-changing element that propels the work of creatives and technologists into the world. It serves as a platform for artists, enables connections and collaboration with community organizations, and supports the promotion of Millwork Commons events and updates.
About Amplify Arts
Amplify Arts provides resources for artists, organizers, and cultural workers to incubate liberatory ideas that move our community forward. Amplify Arts’ Public Art Program seeks to create sustainable, paid opportunities for artists working in the built environment while enhancing civic life through meaningful public art partnerships.
Amplify serves as a center pivot between project stakeholders and artists. Amplify organizes application and selection processes, but does not evaluate applications or make selections. Post-selection, Amplify works closely with artists and project stakeholders to coordinate communication, regular check-ins, installation, and project close-out.