MINNEAPOLIS—August 5, 2020—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has announced new dates and a new format for “Foot in the Door 5,” the latest installment of the popular exhibition series that invites all Minnesota artists to showcase their work at the museum once every decade. The much-anticipated show will now be held online from November 1, 2020, to January 10, 2021. This decision was made to comply with social-distancing guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health.

The “Foot in the Door” series—which takes its name from the size criteria for submissions—accepts artworks from any and all Minnesota artists, so long as their pieces do not exceed one cubic foot. During the exhibition’s last iteration in 2010, more than 4,800 artists participated, with submitted media ranging from painting and photography to sculpture and decorative arts. Artists waited in a snaking line to submit their work, which was measured, photographed for posterity, and then placed in the galleries by Mia staff. The 2010 exhibition attracted 102,000 visitors. This year, the popular exhibition will be entirely digital to prevent crowding and ensure the health and safety of visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mia’s commitment to “Foot in the Door 5” never wavered; however, the coronavirus pandemic forced the change to a virtual exhibition. “While making the exhibition virtual was a safety necessity, we are excited about the increased accessibility offered by the digital format,” said Nicole Soukup, assistant curator of contemporary art at Mia and coordinator for Mia’s Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program, a curatorial program dedicated to exhibiting and supporting artists living and working in Minnesota. “Artists and visitors who may not be able to visit the museum in person will now be able to submit artworks and view the exhibition from their homes.

“We welcome all artists, from the amateur to the professional, to participate,” Soukup added. “Everyone is encouraged to share their work, and we look forward to seeing the diversity and enthusiasm of Minnesota’s artistic communities online.”

Mia will accept digital submissions for “Foot in the Door 5: The Virtual Exhibition” September 8–28. The full submission requirements can be viewed on the museum’s website at this link. Mia reserves the right to not accept any artworks that promote hate speech or pose a threat to another person or persons.

About ‘Foot in the Door’

The “Foot in the Door” exhibition series has inspired many programs and similar group shows across the country. Beginning with 740 Minnesota artists in 1980, the exhibition has grown exponentially in popularity and participation. In 1990, works by nearly 900 artists went on view; and by 2000, the exhibition featured more than 1,700 artists, many of whom had participated in the previous two exhibitions. “Foot in the Door 4,” held in 2010, welcomed more than 4,800 artists working in all media and attracted 102,000 visitors. For many artists, this is the first group show in which they will have participated, and sometimes multiple generations of artist families participate together—getting a “foot in the door” in the galleries of a major art museum.