Arts News
Springboard for the Arts Offers Business Structure Basics for MN Artists Oct 10 via Zoom
Springboard for the Arts Offers Free Workshop on
Business Structure Basics for Minnesota Artists
Saturday, Oct 10 via Zoom from 1 PM – 3 PM
VIRTUAL, WORKSHOP
An attorney from Springboard’s Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts (MnLA) program will cover business models from LLC’s to 501(c)3’s, including information on how to prepare, and benefits and risks. This workshop is presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library.
Read more at https://springboardforthearts.org/event/business-structure-basics-for-minnesota-artists/
Springboard for the Arts Offers Free, Virtual Marketing Workshop
Springboard for the Arts Offers Free Workshop
Work of Art: Marketing
Define your product, discover your target audience, make decisions about how you sell your work, and identify a budget and strategy for your artistic business.
This workshop is a part of the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.
Meet the Instructor
Instructor: Mikha Dominguez (they/them)
Bio: Mikha Dominguez (aka Mikhamik) is a Queer non-binary Latinx Venezuelan artist based in Minneapolis since 2014. With a background in set design, Mikha’s work explores identity, migration, and resilience. They have worked at the Walker Art Center, exhibited at MCAD, University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, and the University of Omaha, and participated in the Art Shanty Projects. Mikha leads Mikhamik House of Arts and teaches at Springboard for the Arts while studying at MCAD. Visit their website at mikhamik.com.
This is a Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, October 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Virtual Workshop on Website Basics for Artists Sept 26
Virtual Workshop on Website Basics Sept 26
Website Basics for Artists Offered by Springboard for the Arts
Get a big picture view of the components of your artist website, find clarity on whether you need a website for your artistic practice and learn the basics of creating a website.
This workshop is part of a series of virtual workshops being presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library.
This workshop is a part of Work of Art+, workshops that complement the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.
This is a Zoom Meeting on Saturday, September 26 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Instructor: Anniessa Antar (she/they)
Bio: Anniessa is a software engineer, educator, and cultural organizer. She has worked at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Saint Catherine University, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and with organizations such as Mizna, Confluence: An East Lake Studio for Community Design, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and the School for Poetic Computation. Her practices center on the power of creative, playful, and collective work to confront and heal systemic oppression.
Want to Create a Portfolio, but Don’t Know How? Sign up for a FREE Portfolio Kit Virtual Workshop Offered by Springboard for the Arts
Want to Create a Portfolio? Sign up for a FREE virtual Portfolio Kit Workshop
Work of Art: Portfolio Kit
Your portfolio is the core of your promotional material and professional calling card. Focus on the essential elements: sharpening your artist statement, tailoring your artistic resume, and curating and formatting your work samples.
This workshop is a part of the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.
Meet the Instructor
Instructor: Mikha Dominguez (they/them)
Bio: Mikha Dominguez (aka Mikhamik) is a Queer non-binary Latinx Venezuelan artist based in Minneapolis since 2014. With a background in set design, Mikha’s work explores identity, migration, and resilience. They have worked at the Walker Art Center, exhibited at MCAD, University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, and the University of Omaha, and participated in the Art Shanty Projects. Mikha leads Mikhamik House of Arts and teaches at Springboard for the Arts while studying at MCAD. Visit their website at mikhamik.com.
This is a Zoom Meeting on Tues, September 22 from 6 - 8 PM
Live Sound Basics In Person Workshop offered by Springboard for the Arts
Live Sound Basics – Fergus Falls Offered by Springboard for the Arts
IN-PERSON, WORKSHOP Learn the basics of setting up and running live sound in this hands-on workshop designed for musicians, artists, performers, and anyone who works with audio at events. This session will cover how to set up PA system, as well as audio signal flow and mixing basics, safety considerations, and how to troubleshoot common sound problems, such as feedback. No technical background required! Space is limited to 30 participants to allow for discussion and individual questions. If you’re traveling to Fergus Falls for this workshop, you might be interested in their Work of Art: Career Planning – Fergus Falls workshop on Thursday, September 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM, and their Friday Coffee Club in Fergus Falls on Friday, September 18 from 10 AM to 12 PM.
Meet the Instructor
Instructor: Colin Loynachan (he/him)
Bio: Colin Loynachan is a first call production manager and front of house engineer for national touring acts including Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks, and Gear Daddies. When not on tour, he serves as an A1 audio engineer for premiere Minneapolis music venues including The Armory, The Uptown Theater, The Parkway Theater, and others.
Location: Stella's Restaurant & Bar, 220 W Lincoln Ave, Fergus Falls 56537
Friday, September 18 from 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Springboard’s Work of Art: Website Basics for Artists
Springboard for the Arts
Website Basics for Artists
May 19
Get a big picture view of the components of your artist website, find clarity on whether you need a website for your artistic practice and learn the basics of creating a website.
Location: Zoom Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
This workshop is a part of Work of Art+, a series of workshops that complement the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.
Meet the Instructor
Instructor: Anniessa Antar (she/they)
Bio: Anniessa is a software engineer, educator, and cultural organizer. She has worked at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Saint Catherine University, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and with organizations such as Mizna, Confluence: An East Lake Studio for Community Design, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and the School for Poetic Computation. Her practices center on the power of creative, playful, and collective work to confront and heal systemic oppression.
Springboard Work of Art: Artist Statements May 5 — Virtual Workshop
Springboard for the Arts
Work of Art: Artist Statements
May 5 from 6 to 8:30 PM
Get a hands-on, step-by-step approach to writing a range of statements that best represent your work as an artist.
Location: Zoom Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
This workshop is a part of Work of Art+, a series of workshops that complement the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice. Workshop is free to attend.
Meet the Instructor
Instructor: Mikha Dominguez (they/them)
Bio: Mikha Dominguez (aka Mikhamik) is a Queer non-binary Latinx Venezuelan artist based in Minneapolis since 2014. With a background in set design, Mikha’s work explores identity, migration, and resilience. They have worked at the Walker Art Center, exhibited at MCAD, University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, and the University of Omaha, and participated in the Art Shanty Projects. Mikha leads Mikhamik House of Arts and teaches at Springboard for the Arts while studying at MCAD. Visit their website at mikhamik.com.
Springboard Work of Art: Portfolio Kit — virtual workshop April 21
Springboard’s Work of Art: Portfolio Kit — virtual workshop April 21
Your portfolio is the core of your promotional material and professional calling card. Focus on the essential elements: sharpening your artist statement, tailoring your artistic resume, and curating and formatting your work samples.
This workshop is a part of the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice. This is free to attend.
Location: Zoom Meeting
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Meet the Instructor
Instructor: Dana Sikkila (she/her)
Bio: Dana Sikkila is a queer Minnesota-based interdisciplinary maker and creator. Known for her social practice and activism programs, creative consulting, public speaking, and her theory development within creative curriculum, Sikkila’s practices span from working in communities from rural to the Twin Cities. Her self-defining administration style has bridged the gap between arts creation and administration, through the development of numerous grassroots cultural projects and exhibitions throughout the state. Dana is also an Artist Career Consultant and Workshop Instructor with Springboard for the Arts. Visit her website at danasikkila.com
Free Virtual Workshop on Creating your portfolio kit
Work of Art: Portfolio Kit
Zoom Meeting
January 17 from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
VIRTUAL, WORKSHOP
Focus on the essential elements of your portfolio: sharpening your artist statement, tailoring your artistic resume, and curating and formatting your work samples. Presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library. Your portfolio is the core of your promotional material and professional calling card. To register or learn more visit https://springboardforthearts.org/event/work-of-art-portfolio-kit/
Free Virtual Workshop on Legal Issues — Intellectual Property, Contracts, & More
Work of Art: Legal Considerations
February 21 from 1:00 to 3:30 PM
Obtain general information about your intellectual property, contract basics and structuring your artistic business.
This workshop is part of a series of virtual workshops being presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library, and listed as “Legal Considerations for Artists” on the library website.
This workshop is a unit in the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.
To learn more and to register visit https://springboardforthearts.org/event/work-of-art-legal-considerations/
Virtual Workshop on Writing Artist Statements January 10
Virtual Workshop: Writing Artist Statements
Offered by Springboard for the Arts
Artist Statements
Zoom Meeting
Saturday, January 10 from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
VIRTUAL, WORKSHOP
Get a hands-on, step-by-step approach to writing a range of statements that best represent your work as an artist. Presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library.
This workshop is part of a series of virtual workshops being presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library, and is a unit in the 12-part Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists series, a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists in all disciplines. The curriculum is always available for free download, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice. For more info and to register visit https://springboardforthearts.org/event/artist-statements/
Engaging Customers & Selling Your Work — virtual workshop December 2
Work of Art: Engaging Customers & Selling Your Work is a free virtual workshop offered by Springboard for the Arts on Tuesday, December 2 from 6 to 8:30 PM. Sign up at https://springboardforthearts.formstack.com/forms/work_of_art_engaging_customers_selling_your_work
Free Artist Career Consultations offered by Springboard
Free Artist Career Consultations Offered by Springboard for the Arts!
Copyright and Trademark Zoom Workshop Nov 8 Free
Intellectual Property Basics: Copyright and Trademark Virtual Workshop Nov 8 Free
Copyrights and trademarks are crucial tools to protect your brand and creative work. But do you know the difference between the two, or how to register for one?
Join attorney Andrea Pelloquin for this free virtual workshop on
Saturday, November 8 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
This attorney from Springboard’s Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts (MnLA) program will cover intellectual property for visual and performing artists, focusing on copyright and trademark. Learn the difference between the two, how and why to register them, and how both can be used to protect your brand and your creative work.
This workshop is part of a series of virtual workshops being presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library.
Meet the Instructor
Instructor: Andrea Pelloquin (she/her)
Bio: Andrea Pelloquin has worked in the music business and education spaces for over twenty years, working for major print music publishers, retailers, and arts non-profits. She has recently launched a second career as an attorney, specializing in copyrights and trademarks for small businesses and education. Her goal is to make copyright and trademark law simple for the creator and allow them to use it to their advantage to build their business.In addition to running her own legal practice, she is also an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and volunteers with the Minnesota State Bar Association for the Mock Trial and Wills for Heroes program.
This virtual meeting is offered via Zoom on
Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Central
Upcoming Springboard Offerings for Artists — Virtual Session
Check out these virtual session from Springboard for the Arts!
Ask Me Anything: Small Business Storefronts
Join at 12pm Central Time on Monday, May 20 for a virtual conversation about opening an arts-centered store in a small town or city!
Discover the world of wholesale and learn about the logistics of owning or renting a downtown building with Fergus Falls-based small business owners Blayze Buseth, owner of Creation Shop, and Jan Werkau, owner of SoapWerks Naturals and Creative Handmade Goods. The conversation will be moderated by Emily Kurash Casey, Director of Community Programs and Minnesota Main Street Statewide Coordinator at Rethos.
“Ask Me Anything” events are held throughout the year with Springboard’s Artist Career Consultants (ACCs) or staff and guest artists/presenters. Stay updated on our events calendar for more conversations in this ongoing series.
Register
Additional Upcoming Offerings for Artists
Copyright Essentials
Thursday, May 16
6:00-7:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
What is a copyright and do you need one to protect your work? In this free virtual Work of Art+ workshop, a staff member from Springboard’s Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts (MnLA) program will cover the legal basics of copyrights for visual and performing artists. Presented in partnership with Dakota County Library.
Grant Writing
Tuesday, May 14
6:00-8:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
In this virtual Work of Art workshop, you'll learn the essentials of writing a grant proposal and get tips for searching for grants to fund your artistic practice. Free, and open to artists of all disciplines!
For more workshops and to register visit https://springboardforthearts.org/events/
Springboard’s Rural Regenerator Fellowship Application is Open
Announcing the 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship
Calling rural artists in the Upper Midwest: Applications are now open for Springboard's 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship!
We are excited to announce that this year’s Fellowship will focus on supporting artists whose work is connected to land, environment, and/or food systems. Rural artists who are using their creative practice to explore environmental justice, land and food sovereignty, agriculture, foodways, climate solutions, and/or sustainability are welcome to apply. They will select 12 fellows total.
What the two-year Fellowship offers:
Unrestricted $10,000 stipend to continue or expand rural artist's existing work.
Opportunities for exchange and learning with other Rural Regenerator Fellows across the Upper Midwest.
A supportive platform to build solidarity across rural geographies.
This year’s new effort to amplify and support the urgent work of environmental stewardship aims to bring a new level of focus to the Fellowship in order to collectively contribute to long term change and support existing movements.
Applications are open now through June 24, 2024. Interested in applying? Join the virtual info session on Friday, May 31 to learn more about the application and the fellowship.
Learn more and apply here or https://springboardforthearts.org/rural-regenerator-fellowship/
Rural-Urban Solidarity Call for Creatives Apply by May 20
Rural and urban communities need each other. We share the same resources, land, and future. Artists are skilled at building solidarity, compassion, and understanding across geographies.
Over the years, the perceived “urban-rural” divide has become a political strategy to provoke division and fear, instead of fostering connection and common ground. Springboard for the Arts invites artists and creatives across Minnesota to develop projects that explore and shed light on the concept of rural-urban solidarity.
This call is open to culture bearers, makers, artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and other creatives interested in developing projects that help build understanding, interaction, compassion, joy, and solidarity between rural and urban communities.Projects can include as many artists as needed, but will require a Lead Artist(s) who is responsible for submitting a proposal, attending meetings with Springboard, managing funds, and ensuring the project’s overall success.As part of the program, Springboard will provide:
- Project support and a $2500 stipend for one Lead Artist who can demonstrate a strong connection to and experience in both urban/rural contexts.
- Project support and a $5000 stipend for two Lead Artists, one in an urban and one in a rural place, who are teaming up on a project together. Types of projects may include (but are not limited to) zines/writing collections, video/motion art, visual displays (murals, billboards, lawn signs) and activations of public space (line dancing classes in parking lots, story circles in a library, shared meals, etc). Questions about the program or your project proposal? Email or visit www.springboardforthearts.org/rural-urban-solidarity.
Applications will close at midnight CST on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Work of Art workshops by Springboard
New Work of Art workshops
Springboard’s winter series of Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists has begun! This professional development curriculum is designed to teach business skills to artists of all disciplines and experience levels. You are welcome to take the entire series, or take the workshops that best suit your needs. Workshops range from creating your artistic portfolio, grant writing, funding, career planning, pricing your work, and more! The Work of Art series has been taught by Springboard for the Arts at arts organizations, libraries and colleges in over 80 communities in the Upper Midwest, and replicated across the country by artists, arts organizations, and colleges and universities. You can also download the Work of Art curriculum for free, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.
Already taken Work of Art? Then join them for Work of Art+, a continuation of the series that offers an even deeper dive on a library of topics. Their next workshop, Website Basics for Artists, will take place virtually on Saturday, February 3. They'll discuss whether you need to build a website for your artistic practice, and where and how to get started if you do. Presented in partnership with the Hennepin County Library.
Springboard for the Arts Rural Regenerator Fellowship Applications Open Until June 20
Springboard for the Arts is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2023-25 Rural Regenerator Fellowship.
Rural places need leaders who know the importance of creativity and culture in cultivating human-centered systems for rural community health, economic vitality, and civic engagement. Expanding on over a decade of rural programming, Springboard's Rural Regenerator Fellowship supports these creative leaders in the Upper Midwest through unrestricted funding, and ongoing learning and exchange.
The Fellowship is open to individual artists, makers, and culture bearers, grassroots organizers, community development workers, public sector workers and other rural change makers who are committed to advancing the role of art, culture and creativity in rural development and community building.
About the Fellowship:
Fellows participate in two years of peer learning and exchange, and receive an unrestricted $10,000 stipend.
Eligible applicants must live and work in a rural place in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, or Nebraska and/or the Native Nations that share those geographies.
Applicants who are Black, Indigenous, Native, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and/or People with disabilities will be prioritized in the selection process.
Apply by Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at:
https://springboardforthearts.org/rural-regenerator-fellowship/
Have questions before you apply? Attend the Fellowship info session on Friday, May 5 from 12:00-1:00pm Central Time via Zoom!
Springboard’s With Us: Artists with Disabilities on Empowerment Nov 22
With Us: Artists with Disabilities Panel Series with David Fallon, Minda Mae & Alison Bergblom Johnson
Coming up on Tuesday, November 22, Springboard for the Arts is excited to welcome the start of the With Us panel series, where disabled artists will hold space for each other, share tips and practices, and embody the informal motto of the disability rights movement, “Nothing about us, without us.”
This panel series is space for artists with disabilities:
+ at any career level+ who practice with supports, such as…— within an organization that supports artists with disabilities— with services such as a PCA or ARMHS worker— within a Community Support Program— or any other needed supports+ who practice independently without formal supports+ who partner with mainstream arts organizations+ who are public about their disability+ who are quiet about itLed by artists and organizers Alison Bergblom Johnson, Minda Mae, and David Fallon, this event is open to all and closed captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Sign up to attend below!
Learn more and register at https://springboardforthearts.org/events/with-us-artists-with-disabilities-on-empowerment/