Arts News
February Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the February 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/3uLa7RK
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Request for Proposals open for a downtown East Grand Forks mural
There is a Request for Proposals open for a downtown East Grand Forks mural. The deadline is April 1. The Downtown Development Association (DDA) alongside the RiverWalk Center, City of East Grand Forks, and other partners are working together to beautify downtown and promote the exceptional people, places, and things that make up our thriving region through the creation of murals. The project should result in public artwork that lasts for years and create a landmark for those who live here and visitors alike.
This project will showcase the connection between East Grand Forks and the Red River. Mural must include imagery that weaves in fish that inhabit the river and compliments an Instagrammable canoe cut-out.
For more information and the RFP visit: https://downtownforks.com/murals?fbclid=IwAR354YziA1unNu4e2VbjE6oMnRk6JuEow2wlNl56nlTUpOprBs04Q74EtpY
Who will be the next McKnight Distinguished Artist?
Who will be the next McKnight Distinguished Artist?
Do you know an artist or culture bearer with an enduring and exceptional career in Minnesota? The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for its 27th Distinguished Artist Award. Nominations for the $100,000 award are due April 16, 2024.
The annual McKnight Distinguished Artist Award recognizes artists and culture bearers who have made a lifelong commitment to creating art that is locally, regionally, and/or nationally significant. These artists and culture bearers have chosen to make their lives and careers in Minnesota, thereby making our state a more culturally rich place. First and foremost, they have produced creatively incisive art reflecting their particular and extraordinary point of view.
McKnight Distinguished Artists have also inspired other artists and culture bearers, earned acclaim from audiences, patrons, critics, and other arts professionals, and some have founded and strengthened arts organizations.
Community Dance with North Country Fiddle & Dance March 2
Afternoon Community Dance with North Country Fiddle and Dance
Saturday, March 2nd
2 to 4:30 PM
All are welcome, all ages, all dances are taught and are easy to learn
American traditional folk dances- reels, squares, contras, circle mixers
East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.
Music by O'Neil Family Band
Donations at the door
Art series exhibit at Fosston’s Aurora Center for the Arts — Presentations on Feb 28
Area Artist and Area Naturalist will present at the Sorenson Art Gallery at the Aurora Center for the Arts in Fosston on Wednesday, February 28.
"Inspired by Nature '' is the theme for a special gallery event featuring Artist Cindy Kolling, Gully and Native Prairie Botanist Donna Spaeth of Waubun. The event will feature Kolling's current exhibit featuring White Sage and the Rough Blazing Star plants, which are part of an ongoing series called "It's Not Nothing. Those aren't Weeds!" The art exhibit and her discussion of prairie nature art will be accompanied by Spaeth's presentation of prairie ecosystems with plant samples.
This event will be held at the Sorenson Gallery in the Aurora Center for the Arts at 403 North Foss Avenue in Fosston. Daytime presentations will be held promptly from 12:30 pm to 1:10 pm, then 1:15 pm to 1:55 pm and 2 pm to 2:40 pm (to accommodate school student schedules) and a more relaxed, open session from 3:30 pm to 6 pm.
Several students are expected to attend the early session, but both are open to the public. You can come and go as you need, or hang out and learn; the Fosston Library (same building) has pulled a selection of related books to browse and check out and there will be opportunity for questions and sharing.
The activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and culture heritage fund.
There is no charge to attend. Light refreshments will be served. This special event is sponsored by the Aurora Center for the Arts in Fosston.
Arts Advocacy Day 2024 - Register Now!
March 5th marks Arts Advocacy Day 2024, and it's fast approaching! Join us in person to passionately advocate for the arts you love.
Can't make it in person? They will also be offering ways for you to participate remotely during the week. Learn more on how you can advocate for the arts during March 4-8th below. Register Here.
IT'S TIME FOR ARTS ACTION WEEK! Sign-Up to attend the in-person rally on March 5th and to receive links for our online
Opening Rally and to attend legislator meetings.
JOIN ADVOCATES ACROSS MINNESOTA TO RALLY FOR THE ARTS!
It's time for the Minnesota arts community to come together! Help us "rally the troupes" and make our voice heard at the State Capitol and say thank you to legislators for securing over $100 million for the arts and to continue to advocate for additional arts Legacy/General funds. With your action-in-person and as part of Zoom calls with legislators-we can help legislators understand the importance of arts to funding at this critical time. They listened to your feedback from last year and are again giving you multiple ways to advocate from letter writing and legislative Zoom Meetings to a full in-person rally and day at the Capitol on MARCH 5th beginning at 10:00 AM.
Minnesota State Arts Board Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Opportunities
Minnesota State Arts Board Fiscal Year 2025
Grant Opportunities Announcement
The Minnesota State Arts Board is pleased to announce the grant programs it will offer in its fiscal year 2025 grant cycle. In addition to the Operating Support program that was launched earlier, five project grant programs will be offered: Accessible Arts, Arts Experiences, Arts Education, Cultural Expression, and Creative Individuals.
The following are very brief descriptions of the programs:
Accessible Arts will invest in longer-term strategies to make the arts more accessible to persons with disabilities.
Arts Education will invest in age-appropriate arts learning experiences for people of all ages and abilities.
Arts Experiences will invest in a wide variety of programming intended to give Minnesotans access to meaningful arts experiences.
Creative Individuals will help individual artists and culture bearers develop or sustain their creative practices and meaningfully engage with Minnesotans.
Cultural Expression will invest in activities that share, explore, or celebrate culture through the arts.
Individual artists and culture bearers will be able to submit an application in only one of the following programs in FY 2025: Arts Education, Arts Experiences, Creative Individuals, or Cultural Expression.
Organizations will be able to submit an application in only one of the following programs for FY 2025: Arts Education, Arts Experiences, or Cultural Expression.
More information about eligibility, use of funds, grant amounts, and application deadlines is available on the Arts Board website.
FY 2025 Grant Program Overview Sessions
The Arts Board will offer two high-level overview sessions of the grant programs offered for organizations or individuals in FY 2025. These virtual sessions are intended to help potential applicants determine which program may be the best fit. Both sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on the Arts Board website.
FY 2025 Grant Programs Overview for Organizations: Wednesday, January 31
FY 2025 Grant Programs Overview for Individuals: Thursday, February 1
Details and links to join the sessions can be found in the Information Sessions section of the Arts Board Web calendar.
Arts Board Priority Groups
In order to increase demographic and geographic fairness of the distribution of funds, the Arts Board has identified priority groups for its project grant programs. The priority groups will receive a percentage of the grants awarded that is equal to or greater than their percentage of the application pool. The priority groups include:
Individuals or organizations that are based outside the seven-county metropolitan area
Individuals who are Indigenous or persons of color, or organizations in which individuals who are Indigenous or persons of color comprise 50 percent or more of the board and staff
Individuals with disabilities, or organizations in which persons with disabilities comprise 50 percent or more of the board and staff or are the primary population served.
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.
Traveling Exhibit Visits Campbell Public Library in East Grand Forks
Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Campbell Library in East Grand Forks
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This exhibit includes 15 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit is currently at the Campbell Public Library in East Grand Forks until February 27. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.
The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:
Ross Hier, Crookston, “Beach Ridge Bouquet” (Watercolor Painting)
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, “Let Your Light Shine” Wood Bowl (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Nancy Vraa, Red Lake Falls, “Country Classic” Hat and Mitten Set (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit
Lillian Ramsey, Thief River Falls, “Queen Mouse” (Acrylic Painting)
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, “Night Taxi” (Acrylic Painting on canvas board)
Jodi M Smith, East Grand Forks, “Swirls of Light “(Photography)
Dennis Lee, Red Lake Falls, “Old House” (Acrylic Painting) Merit
Madilyn Crompton, Borup, “Hang Time” (Digital Photo) Student Ada-Borup-West School
Makaela Longoria, Ada, “You Have My Heart“(Ceramic Sculpture) Student Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, “Go on a Trip” (Acrylic Painting), Student Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Untitled (Silk Screen Print), Student Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, “Masking” (Mixed Media Graphite Pencil) Student Goodridge School (1st Place and People’s Choice)
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, “Moe” (Pen Drawing), Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, “Elsa” (Linoleum Print) Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit
Maryjane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Time” (Acrylic Painting), Student Red Lake Falls School
The 2022-2022 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:
June to July 11 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls
July 11 to August 29 Roseau Public Library, Roseau
August 29 to October 10 Hallock Public Library, Hallock
October 10 to November 28, Godel Public Library, Warren
November 28 to January 16 Fertile Public Library, Fertile
January 16 to February 27, 2024, Campbell Public Library, East Grand Forks
February 27 to March 26, 2024 Ada Public Library, Ada
March 26 to April TBD 2024** Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls
*The start and end dates at each location are approximate, depending on weather, venue hours and other circumstances that may occur to prohibit travel. For specific library hours, please contact each location before planning your visit, especially if you are planning on bringing a group.
**Tentatively scheduled
For more information about the Traveling Exhibit or our other exhibits look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, call our office at (218)-745-8886 or contact Trey at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com or NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com.
January Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the January 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/3U4FUr0
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Artist Spotlight with Andy Hall Monday, January 22 at 10 AM
Watch our Artist Spotlight with Andy Hall. This was live on Monday, January 22 at 10 AM on our Facebook and YouTube pages. You can watch the discussion at this link https://streamyard.com/pjh6xzyyt6mj
NWMAC staff Trey and Kristin spoke with Andy Hall for an Artist Spotlight to highlight the Pulled in Many Directions Photography by Andy Hall Exhibit. We talked about what influences him artistically, his photography, his subject matter, the exhibit, his technique, photography tips, how to purchase his art, and much more. Pulled in Many Directions Photography by Andy Hall is open until February 26. Let us know if you have questions!
Pulled in Many Directions Exhibit Photography by Andy Hall is Open
We are pleased to announce the opening of Pulled in Many Directions Photography by Andy Hall. This exhibit is open through February 26 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
Take a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/81b-LEr1S8c
Andy Hall has been a full-time photographer for more than 23 years. He lives in Climax and owns Sweetlight Gallery in Crookston. According to Andy, his subject matter “varies tremendously and my techniques are ever evolving. What comes to life through my camera is all but invisible to me until I quiet my mind and allow my eyes to see the perfection in the obvious and the stunning beauty of the often overlooked. I revel in discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary!”
Of his technique and methods, Andy explained, “The photographs that you see here were created with digital cameras, a variety of lenses, a handful of filters and a tripod. I own camera gear from several different manufacturers. I print on archival photographic paper and canvas. I spray coat my canvases with a water-based UV protection that also makes them quite durable. I perform all aspects of my craft.”
There are 45 pieces in this exhibit that are either wrapped in canvas or framed canvas. All are for sale. In addition, Andy can tailor make any print to multiple sizes. All of the images in the exhibit are available in at least 5 other sizes and offered on canvas or metal, framed or unframed. He also offers paper prints that can be matted or framed to your own personal preference. Visit his website sweetlightphoto.com to view many other photographs. To make a purchase, contact Andy at 612-269-3601.
Showcase Specialist Trey Everett shared, “I have known Andy and seen him work over the years. He is all about quality. He spends hours upon hours finding the perfect shot, sometimes standing outside in subzero weather, keeping his camera and hands as warm as possible. His artwork is instantly captivating and mesmerizing. Andy is continually experimenting with subject matter, so his work is always evolving and expanding. This exhibit is a taste of the talent of Andy Hall.”
An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, January 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. There will be live music, drinks, and dessert.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For other information look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.
Did you know that we offer free services in our office space?
Did you know that we offer free services in our office space? We have an audio recording room, a grant writing station, meeting rooms, a photography room, and an enhanced art gallery that you are free to use at no cost!
Nominate for Of the Year Awards — Applications Open
Want to Honor a Deserving Arts Advocate or Artist?
Nominations are Open for Of the Year Awards
Northwest Artist of the Year $500
Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year $500
Northwest Star Award for $5,000
Applications are open for nominations for the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Of the YearAwards. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Often people serve in both roles.
Our Arts Advocate of the Year award honors someone who is a voice and advocate for arts within the community, local school, or our region. Arts includes all disciplines. It comes with $500 and often goes to a local leader who lives in the area where the artist reception will be held. However, anyone is eligible to be nominated.
Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500 to use however they see fit.
Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once, as a lifetime achievement award. This award is for $5,000 and can be a wonderful gift to those who have chosen a hard career path related to artistic expression.
Our deadline for nominations is February 29. Please consider nominating someone who you view as a deserving candidate from our seven-county service area in northwestern Minnesota. Persons who believe their nominee would qualify for this award and have questions should contact the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council office at (218) 745-8886, ext 1 or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org for more information. The nomination form is on our website in the grant software. Login and click on Apply and follow the directions. For more information, visit this page on our website:
https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/nominations-for-of-the-year-awards
Or download this document to learn about the information needed for the nomination. Awards will be presented at the NW Art Exhibit reception at the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Funding for Northwest Star and Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Funding for Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.
Start your nomination here.
Accessibility 101 for Arts and Culture Organizations
Accessibility 101 for Arts and Culture Organizations
Wednesday February 7, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Mark your calendars for this informative and interactive webinar, cohosted by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts Office of Accessibility.
This one-hour webinar is designed to help Minnesotan arts and cultural workers answer the question, "where do I start?" when creating inclusive, accessible spaces and programs for people with disabilities.
Attendees can expect to leave with a foundational understanding of
Requirements for accessibility when your organization receives a grant from the Arts Board or National Endowment for the Arts.
The importance of completing a self-evaluation or ADA checklist, and how to do it.
The many ways of providing inclusive and equitable access, beyond just physical / architectural.
The importance of appointing an access coordinator in your organization, and what they do.
This webinar is free, but registration is required.
BAAC Writers Group in Bagley on Jan 4 at 5:30 PM
Bring in the New Year
the Write Way!
The BAAC writers group will gather Thursday eve, Jan. 4th at 5:30 at the Bagley Library with a little extra twist. It’s a New Year after all!
At the Area Writer’s group led by Clearbrook’s Ann Marie Newman, they don’t always just write. Writing at these gatherings is sometimes just great fun and games. They do really write stuff, some come for the fun and to hear what others come up with.
On January 4, there will be word prompts but also the art on display will be used as prompts. It is “IIlustrated Life and Times: A Tallgrass Prairie Story” (Artist, Cindy Kolling). Ann Marie has led this kind of activity at other art exhibits. Written pieces can be put into a notebook and left there to be shared as part of the exhibit.
And there will be homemade soup. If you are interested, bring a pot of soup or a few extras like crackers or cookies.
All Writers and Friends: Gather! Bring in the New Year on Thursday, January 4th 5:30 p.m.at the Bagley Library for Homemade Soup and Wild Word Fun.
Submit your art for the NW Annual Art Exhibit Now
You are Invited to Apply for the Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
Submissions Accepted Through February 29, 2024
We are pleased to announce our latest “Call for Entries” for the 2024 Annual Art Exhibit.
The deadline to submit your artwork is February 29, 2024.
This year, the annual Art Exhibit will be in Lake Bronson at the Kittson County History Museum from March 27 to April 21. Artwork will be dropped off on Monday, March 25 in Lake Bronson.
Artists and creatives from our 7 county- service region are invited to enter into this art exhibit and will be competing for $2,300 in cash awards. Artists must reside in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, or Red Lake counties to be eligible. Both adults and high school students are encouraged to enter. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by a qualified juror. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception at the Kittson County History Museum, 332 East Main Street, Lake Bronson on Sunday, April 21. Artists are welcome to have their work in the exhibit available for sale.
See https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/nwmnartsexhibit-apply for more information, including the exhibit entry rules and directions. If you would like the application mailed to you, please contact our office 218-745-8886, ext 1 or director@nwartscouncil.org. The application must be submitted no later than February 29, 2024.
Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grant Funding
Arts Grants Funding Available!
Upcoming Deadlines for Project Grants, Artist Residency Grants
Free Grant Writing Workshop February 13 at 10 AM
Apply Now
Applications are open for Project Grants for nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, and other nonprofit organizations from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are February 29. 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 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.
We are offering a grant writing workshop online or in person to assist you with your application. You are welcome to come to our office in Warren for the workshop or to work on your grants. RSVPs are required for grant writing sessions – please email director@nwartscouncil.org.
The session will be held Tuesday, February 13 at 10:00 AM. You can also set up a time to work one-on-one with our director on the grant writing process.
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.
Also available on a first come-first served basis are 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.
To learn more about these grant programs and start an application visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. 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.
Join MCA in Fosston on January 10
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is traveling across the state and wants to meet up with you!
Join Mara Hanel, Executive Director of the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council hosting Sue Gens, Executive Director of Minnesota State Arts Board, Caroline Taiwo of the McKnight Foundation, and Sara Fossen, Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and our arts lobbyists as they travel the state. We are excited that they have agreed to visit our area . The weather looks good but if that changes then the tour will be canceled and not rescheduled until summer. All are welcome to the public discussion in the auditorium at 11 AM on January 10 in Fosston.
RSVP to Mara at 218-745-8886 ext 1.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Aurora Center for the Arts
403 N Foss Ave, Fosston, MN 56542
December Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the December 2023 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/41muTCZ..
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.