Arts News
Join us for Tending the Creative Soul Dec 14 SPACE in Artwork
Please join us for our next Tending the Creative Soul where we will be exploring SPACE in artwork. Space is one of the most important elements in art.
Wednesday, December 14 from 5 to 6PM via Zoom
What is space in art and how do we work with it?
If you aren’t on our Tending the Creative Soul list, reach out to Trey for a Zoom link. We hope to see you there!
Find Accessible Arts Activities and/or Promote Your Accessible Arts Activities
Minnesota arts & cultural organizations offering accessible programs and services are welcome to list events on the Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar. An account is required; register today or log in to submit events. New accounts need to be approved by the Minnesota Access Alliance board before you’ll be able to submit events. Please allow 48 hours for your registration to be approved.
The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides this Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for patrons who use accessibility accommodations. At the their website you’ll find listings of (in order):
* Captioning,
* ASL interpreting,
* Audio Description,
* Sensory-friendly accommodations, and
* Disability-related events.
Each listing links to more details on MNAA’s online calendar (https://calendar.mnaccess.org). Be sure to check the listing or venue to find out its COVID-19 protocol and if you need to make an advance reservation for the accessibility service.
Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar is here: https://calendar.mnaccess.org
If you previously had an account to submit events to VSA Minnesota’s Accessible Art Activities Calendar, your credentials for that calendar are still valid here.
All submitted events are reviewed by the MNAA board before being published to the calendar. Please allow 48 hours for your submission to be approved.
This calendar only lists events that provide explicit accommodations for people with disabilities. Information about the accessibility of the event location and provided accommodations is a requirement in order to be listed.
To submit events and register start at this page: https://calendar.mnaccess.org/calendar/submit/
If you know of other accessible events, please ask those venues to submit their events to the MNAA Calendar (and to MinnesotaPlaylist.com).
Anyone can get this monthly calendar: email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org and indicate which list you want: the entire list or specifically ASL Interpreting, Captioning, Audio Description, Sensory Friendly accommodations or Disability-related topics.
Perpich Arts High School Accepting Applications until Feb 1
Perpich Arts High School is accepting applications until February 1
Perpich is a public, residential-optional, tuition-free high school for MN students in 11th and 12th grade. They are a unique public school created by the MN Legislature in 1985 and opened in 1989 to provide an in-depth art curriculum for students from across the state. Students study state required academics in the morning, then spend the afternoon in one of seven art concentrations:
Dance, Literary Arts (creative writing), Media Arts (photography and cinema), Music, Musical Theater, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Learn more: https://perpich.mn.gov/arts-high-school/
"Inspire people to believe in themselves and they will accomplish extraordinary things." - Gov. Rudy Perpich
Minnesota State Arts Board’s Operating Support Grant Program
Minnesota State Arts Board launches
FY 2024 Operating Support grant program
Application materials and online application forms are now available for the FY 2024 Operating Support grant program. Applications must be received before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Operating Support provides general support to high quality, established arts organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art; to organizations that provide a broad range of services to practicing artists; and to community arts schools and conservatories that make arts learning available to Minnesotans of all ages and abilities.
More detailed and specific requirements for this program are described in the FY 2024 Operating Support Program Overview and Application Instructions document posted on the Arts Board website: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/operating-support.htm
All applicants are encouraged to carefully review the FY 2024 Operating Support Program Overview and Application Instructions, and pay particular attention to the program's eligibility requirements, before beginning an application.
For questions about the program, eligibility, or application requirements, please contact:
Sue Gens
(651) 539-2658; toll-free (800) 866-2787
Sue.Gens@arts.state.mn.us
For accessibility inquiries and accommodation requests contact:
Annick Dall-Desbois, outreach and accessibility coordinator
(651) 539-2651; toll-free (800) 866-2787 Minnesota Relay 711
Annick.Dall-Desbois@arts.state.mn.us
Playwrights’ Center Programs Applications Open
PLAYWRIGHTS’ CENTER PROGRAMS
In partnership with the McKnight and Jerome Foundations, the Playwrights’ Center provides more than $400,000 each year to playwrights and theater artists in the United States. In addition, they continue breaking ground with playwright-centric development processes, bold theater partnerships, and online and onsite resources serving 2,300 member playwrights worldwide. Their programs for playwrights and other theater artists, including deadlines are below.
For playwrights:
-The Many Voices Mentorship supports specifically BIPOC artists from Minnesota who are new to playwriting. (deadline December 1)
-The McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting supports mid-career/established Minnesota-based playwrights (deadline December 15)
For other theater artists:
-The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship supports mid-career Minnesota-based theater artists other than playwrights (while the deadline for this program is March 30, 2023, it is helpful to submit an intent to apply as soon as possible.)
-The Core Writer Program supports professional playwrights from anywhere in the US for three years, including development support and career resources (deadline January 19)
Reach out to Julia Brown (she/her/hers), Artistic Programs Manager, for more information at juliab@pwcenter.org.
Playwrights’ Centerwww.pwcenter.org | 612-332-7481 x.11152301 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
November Newsletter
Read about the latest in regional arts opportunities, including exhibits, grants, announcements, events, trainings, workshops, calls for art, and more!
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/
Springboard for the Arts Ask Me Anything Zoom meeting Nov 21
NEW AMA conversation with Bethany Lacktorin and Dominic Facio
Monday, November 21 join performance artist, organizer, media producer, and musician, Bethany Lacktorin, and multidisciplinary artist, and “fun facilitator” Dominic Facio for a conversation on pushing the bounds of what’s possible in an artistic career! This conversation is open to all and will be held via Zoom, sign up at the “Events” link in Springboard’s bio.
Bethany Lacktorin (she/her) is a performance artist, organizer, media producer and musician. Her practice revolves around issues and meanings surrounding identity, displacement and our connection through land, place and shared experiences. Currently based in rural Minnesota, she is Board Chair of Crow River Players and New London Arts Alliance, Program Director of @littletheatreauditorium in New London, serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of New London Food Co-op, and is graphic designer and producer for her local newspaper, Lakes Area Review. Learn more at bethanylacktorin.org.
Dominic Facio (he/they) is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on subculture, and challenges the status quo and provokes curiosity. Dominic has been creating since the mid-2000s, beginning with makeup design and photography, expanding to wearable art and, what they’ve become known for today, unique inclusive live production experiences with immersive ethereal aesthetics. As Springboard’s Rural Program Coordinator, Dominic is eager to help artists find what they need and assist with the many programs that Springboard has to offer. Read more about Dominic on Creative Exchange.
Sign up to attend on Springboard for the Arts website at https://springboardforthearts.org/events/ask-me-anything-pushing-the-boundaries-of-the-possible/.
WAO School is seeking artists to teach mini classes on December 20
The Warren-Alvarado-Oslo School District is looking for artists to come into their K-5 classrooms to teach mini-Christmas classes on the afternoon of December 20. Examples include, but aren’t limited to, making musical instruments, tree ornaments or other Christmas decorations, singing, theater, game playing or more. Contact Samantha Sellers at 218-745-4441 with questions and for details.
Call for Student Art: Art Inspired by Art
Call for Student Art
for an exhibition
Art Inspired by Art
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is announcing a call for student art in the NW Minnesota region. This exhibit is titled Art Inspired by Art and will feature visual art, writing, and music. Consider submitting illustration, watercolor, acrylics, 3-D works of clay, ceramics, or other 3-D mediums. Written works, such as music lyrics and poetry, along with recorded music will also be considered.
Include a description of the art your work is based on, along with your thought process.
Example of lyrics inspired by a famous piece of literature…
Song: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by the Beatles
Inspired by: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Popular Lyric:
"Picture yourself in a boat on a river/With tangerine trees and marmalade skies/Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly/A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.”
Submissions Due May 19, 2023
Art Inspired by Art will be open June-July
NWMAC Gallery
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls.
Contact Trey Everett at the NWMAC for details. https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/
218-745-8886
Writers, Enter the Minnesota Mystery Flash Fiction Contest
Attention Writers! Tap into your inner Arthur Conan Doyle and submit a short historical mystery in the Minnesota Mystery Flash Fiction Contest!
Inspired by Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition now on display at the Minnesota History Center, this contest gives you the chance to share your take on a Minnesota historical mystery and become a featured author. The selected winner will have their original story featured in an upcoming issue of Minnesota History magazine. The game is afoot! Visit their website for more info and to submit.
Submission requirements
Here are some clues to what contest judges are looking for and requirements that all submissions must follow to be considered. Check out the Official Contest Rules for full details. For more info and to submit visit their page: https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter/activities/museum/sherlock/contest.
All stories must:
Involve a Minnesota historical figure or event (see their website for ideas)
Be set in a time period before 1985
Involve a mystery in the plot
Your submission also must meet the following criteria to be considered:
No more than 1,500 words in length
Language and themes must be appropriate for all ages
No previously published works allowed (let them know if your story is accepted elsewhere during the contest period)
Be an original work of the author and not violate any intellectual property rights
Be submitted through this contest’s official form, with all requirements and rules accepted
How will your story be judged?
The judges are looking for a mystery story that is original, cleverly plotted, historically accurate, plausible, and has proper style and grammar. In short, they are looking for good, well-written, interesting mysteries that highlight Minnesota history!
Important contest dates
Oct. 21: Submission period opens
Dec. 15: Submission period ends
Jan 9: Three winners contacted
Apr. 1: Winning entries posted on MNHS.org, top winner’s story featured in Minnesota History
Looking for ideas? Check out MNopedia
MNopedia.org is the Minnesota Encyclopedia, compiled by the Minnesota Historical Society. Visit to read a few articles they have created that may inspire or inform the characters, setting, or plot of your mystery. But don’t limit yourself — dig into Minnesota history and see what else you can uncover!
Tending the Creative Soul November 9 - Mandalas
We will be talking about and creating our own Mandalas during this Tending the Creative Soul. Mandalas are symbols of wholeness and healing and have been used throughout time in a variety of cultures and various religions as well as in psychology. Carl Jung wrote,
“I sketched every morning in a notebook a small circular drawing, a mandala, which seemed to correspond to my inner situation at the time... Only gradually did I discover what the mandala really is.... the Self, the wholeness of the personality, which if all goes well, is harmonious.”
This TCS will be Wednesday, November 9 from 5:00 to 6:00PM. Have paper and paint or markers or colored pencils. Also if you like perfect circles bring various sized circle templates.
Contact Trey for the Zoom invite at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome and it’s free to attend!
Publishing Basics for Fiction Writers Workshop Nov 15
Springboard for the Arts is offering a
Publishing Basics for Genre Fiction Writers Workshop
Tuesday, November 15 from 6-7:30PM
Sign up for a workshop on Tuesday, November 15 via Zoom with award-winning writer, editor and publisher Catherine Lundoff that will outline the basics of bringing your manuscript through the whole publishing process, from writing and editing to exploring options for publication and marketing.This workshop is best suited to writers interested in or publishing romance, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, horror, westerns, Young Adult or Children's literature.
Catherine Lundoff is the author of Silver Moon, Blood Moon, Out of This World: Queer Speculative Fiction Stories and Unfinished Business: Tales of the Dark Fantastic and editor of the fantastical pirate anthology, Scourge of the Seas of Time (and Space). She is also the publisher at Queen of Swords Press, a genre fiction publisher specializing in fiction from out of this world. More info at www.queenofswordspress.com.
Registration: Free. To receive the Zoom meeting details by clicking the link below. If you have any questions, please contact Andy Sturdevant at 651-294-0907 or andy@springboardforthearts.org.
Call for Art - The Art of Addiction
We are looking for NW Minnesota artists to submit work for an upcoming exhibit — The Art of Addiction at our gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Submissions will join work by Potter Kate Hammer.
All mediums are welcome including, but not limited to sculpture, textile, oil, pen and ink, poetry, creative writing, song, video, mosaic, watercolor, acrylic, collage, clay, photography and more.
The exhibit will be open in March and April 2023. Submissions are due no later than February 20. You will need to submit a photo and description (size, etc) of your work to Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com before that time. Please reach out to Trey with any questions.
October Newsletter
Read about the latest in regional arts opportunities, including exhibits, grants, announcements, events, trainings, workshops, calls for art, and more!
NEA Big Read
NEA Big Read
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEABig Read broadens our understanding of our world, our neighbors, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience. Showcasing a diverse range of contemporary themes, voices, and perspectives, the NEA Big Read aims to inspire meaningful conversations, artistic responses, and new discoveries and connections in each community. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 each, and the Intent to Apply is due on January 18, 2023.
WHAT: The NEA Big Read is a reading program that brings communities together around a selected book title.
WHEN: Applications are due January 25, 2023 (with the Intent to Apply due January 18), and funded projects must occur between September 2023 – June 2024.
WHERE: Nonprofit organizations and public libraries located across the United States and the Native nations that share this geography can apply.
WHO: Arts organizations, universities, libraries, service organizations, museums, school districts, and tribal governments are all encouraged to apply.
Applicants are now required to submit an Intent to Apply at least one week prior to the application deadline.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 granting cycle. Visit How to Apply for more information.
Contact:
612.238.8024 neabigread@artsmidwest.org
Arts Grants Funding Available - Upcoming Deadlines for Individual Artist Grants, Project Grants, and More!
Arts Grants Funding Available!
Upcoming Deadlines for Individual Artist Grants, Project Grants, Artist Residency Grants, Arts Equipment for Schools
Apply Now
Individual Artist Grants have a November 15 deadline for $1,500 and an ongoing deadline for quick turnaround grants for $500. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. Grants are awarded annually with $1,500 going to four individuals. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are November 1 and March 1. Grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Organizational arts activities funded through these two very important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities. This is a great way to bring arts experiences to your community.
Schools in our seven-county region can also apply now for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. Our teaching artist roster is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area and is available on our website at www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org under the artists tab. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.
Schools can initially apply for one residency. Then based on remaining funding, can request up to three additional residencies into spring and summer. Funding for residency activities comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota.
Schools can also apply for Arts Equipment for their school by November 1 each year. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match requirement. Funds for this arts equipment in schools grant program come from the general fund of the State of Minnesota.
Start an application on our website. The grant application process is completely online and NWMAC's Director Mara Hanel can help walk you through the process of using the grants portal to get accustomed to it. Please contact her at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886.
Campbell Library in East Grand Forks offers Art Workshop for Adults with Disabilities
Campbell Library in East Grand Forks offers art workshop for adults with disabilities on October 14 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
Rural Connection Fund — grant money to support rural artist gatherings
Do you miss connecting with other rural artists in-person? Apply to the Rural Connection Fund.
The Rural Connection Fund will provide rural artists in the Upper Midwest with $2,000 to support informal gatherings of rural artists and creatives to witness one another’s work, exchange ideas and learning, and build a foundation for long lasting peer support.
Who is Eligible? Culture bearers, makers, artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, performers and other creatives in rural and tribal communities of 30,000 people or less in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois and the Native Nations that share those geographies). Gatherings must connect at least two rural artists who live at least 75 miles apart.
Types of gatherings may include but are not limited to:
Informal exchanges to visit one another’s community and witness one another’s work in person
Mini-retreats of 2 or more rural artists/creatives to explore a specific topic and share learning
Gatherings of artists from multiple locations to connect .Note: Springboard encourages simplicity! It is rare to get a chance to visit another artist without an obligation to fulfill, so consider how this can nurture other aspects of your artistic life without adding new major commitments to your life.
The Rural Connection Fund has 3 rolling deadlines to enter your request in their lottery-based selection process. The lottery pool is reset after each selection, but in your form, you can choose to automatically resubmit your request for each deadline.
November 1, 2022
January 6, 2023
March 3, 2023
Job Openings at Minnesota State Arts Board
Minnesota State Arts Board seeking
candidates for key positions
Are you looking for a position where you can make a difference? Where you can help make arts and creative activities available to residents and communities throughout the state? Where you can support the work of Minnesota’s creative individuals and organizations? Then consider applying for a position at the Arts Board:
Grant program officer – The person in this position will manage the Arts Board's largest grant program, Operating Support, which provides general support to established arts organizations. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
Grant programs assistant – The person in this position will provide administrative support for Arts Board grant programs. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, October 6, 2022.
Executive assistant – The person in this position will provide administrative support to the executive director and to the board. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
All are full-time, permanent positions. Telework and/or hybrid work arrangements are available.
Visit the Arts Board’s Web site to find more details about the positions and a link to required qualifications, salary range, and application instructions: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/about/employment.htm/
If you’d like to receive Arts Board updates directly, please sign up for their mailing list: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/contact/enews-signup.htm