RedBall Project - Temporary Fargo Installation

Kurt Perschke

Installed in Fall 2018, the RedBall Project brought bold color and global acclaim to the streets of Downtown Fargo. Led by contemporary artist Kurt Perschke, this internationally recognized public art installation made a week-long appearance in Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, transforming familiar city spaces with a simple yet striking idea: a 15-foot inflatable red ball wedged into unexpected urban locations.

The RedBall Project is considered the world’s longest-running street art work with installations staged in cities around the globe. When it arrived in Fargo-Moorhead, it wasn’t just a stop on a world tour—it was a moment of cultural collaboration. The installation was made possible through a joint effort between two of the region’s leading cultural institutions: Plains Art Museum and Minnesota State University Moorhead. They were joined by a diverse group of sponsors and supporters including Fargo Arts & Culture Commission, Insight to Action, Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau and Fargo Parks District.

Designed to spark curiosity and conversation, each RedBall installation lasts only one day in a particular location. Over the course of seven days, the project traveled across the metro inviting the public to experience familiar spaces in new ways. For artist Kurt Perschke, the goal is less about the object itself and more about the stories it creates—the interactions, the surprise, the laughter and the shared moments that redefine public space.

In Fargo, the RedBall wasn’t just art—it was a community event. Office workers paused for photos, children reached out to touch it and longtime residents saw their city from a fresh perspective. Like other cultural efforts across Fargo, the project underscored The City’s commitment to bringing world-class art to local streets while fostering civic pride and creativity.

With a legacy rooted in global travel and local impact, the RedBall Project left a lasting impression in Fargo’s cultural story—an emblem of how a city can celebrate its identity through bold public creativity.