Arts Events - Regional & Statewide
See below for arts events in our region or state. If you are hosting an arts event that you’d like to share, please reach out to our Promotions Specialist Kristin and let her know.
The 2025 legislative session is underway, and now is the time to take action for the arts. Arts Advocacy Day, on March 4th, is your opportunity to show just how many people care about the arts, and the more voices we have, the stronger our impact.
It’s crucial we demonstrate to legislators how many communities rely on arts funding to thrive. Every community, from urban centers to rural towns, benefits from the arts, and it’s important that legislators hear directly from you how vital this funding is to your area. The number of people who show up matters - it sends a clear message that the arts are a priority.
We’ve made it easy for you to take part and make a huge impact. By joining us on Advocacy Day, you’ll be helping secure funding to keep the arts strong in your community and across the state.
Your participation can make all the difference.
Join Us for Arts Advocacy Day!
Date: TUESDAY, MARCH 4th, 2025
Rally in the Capitol Rotunda: 10:00 AM
Legislative Meetings: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
This is your chance to make a real impact! Rally with us in the heart of the Capitol and then meet directly with legislators to advocate for vital arts funding in our communities.
Thief River Falls Concert Association Winter/Spring 2025 Shows Feb 8, March 28, and April 22
For info and tickets visit their website trfconcerts.com and order online. Or stop by Kezar Music, The Times, or Hugos. All shows at 7 PM at the Lincoln High School Auditorium.
Concert Venue
Lincoln High School Auditorium
101 Knight Ave. So.
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Map this Location
Parking is available in the east parking lot, across Knight Ave.
from the school. Door 6 (the northeast entrance at the corner
of First St. and Knight Ave.) is the entrance for all concerts.
The University of Minnesota is holding an upcoming Women’s History event March 3 - 14, 2025. Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society, and through a fiber art event they would like to further educate and generate engagement focusing on fiber art in the Red Lake River area community. This Women’s History Month event is intended to bring awareness of the strong tradition and knowledge of women and the fiber arts.
Consider displaying your work as well as sharing your presence during a social on Monday, March 3 from 5-6:30 PM. They are preparing a welcoming space for individuals, like you, with unique skills and various skill levels to come together and display your fiber arts and informally share about your art. While knitting, crocheting, quilting, spinning, weaving, dyeing, embroidery, and stitching come to mind, they hope to include any other textile crafts that support fiber art. They would like this collaborative event to encourage individuals to learn, explore and participate in future textile arts culture in rural Minnesota.
Monday, March 3, 2025
Sargeant Student Center, first floor
Northern Lights Lounge and the International Lounge
Women’s History Month Fiber Art Reception with modest hors d'oeuvres, 5 PM - 6:30 PM
Registration is free, you may sign up at: z.umn.edu/fiberart25.
We offer grant writing training sessions two weeks before each grant deadline. This training is Tuesday, February 11 at 4 PM. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org. You can take advantage of the opportunity to come into our office and work on your grant in our grant writing space!
Everyone is welcome to celebrate and experience Warroad RiverPlace’s first-ever solo art exhibit, “Repurpose, Preserve, Rejuvenate,” at a gallery open house and artist reception for northwest Minnesota mosaic creator Sherri Kruger-Kukowski on Saturday, January 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
The public is invited to view the art, meet the artist, and socialize over light refreshments at this free event.
For the past 30 years, Kruger-Kukowski, a retired Badger educator and founder of Winding River Mosaics, has refined the art of multimedia mosaics, creatively incorporating various elements from antlers to snowshoes to rocks, even giving new life to second-hand materials like tables and chairs. Her work and arts advocacy have earned her numerous awards, grants, and media features. (Full biography at: warroadriverplace.org/events)
“Repurpose, Preserve, Rejuvenate” consists of a diverse array of the artist’s collection, featuring pieces that reflect the beauty of nature — like local flora and fauna — and others that express a sense of community and shared identity.
“I hope this exhibit, which blends the old world art of mosaic with my personal twist, will leave you inspired and rejuvenated,” said Kruger-Kukowski.
“Sherri is not only a talented artist, she is also a great ambassador for the arts in northern Minnesota — one who educates and enthusiastically invites all into a shared space for creation and ideation, cultivating creative expression for our local communities. We invite you to explore her exhibit and take the opportunity to visit with her at this event,” said John Davis, executive director of Warroad RiverPlace.
The exhibit is open at the Warroad RiverPlace art gallery from January 10 to March 8, 2025. It is free to visit Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
MACALESTER AFRICAN MUSIC ENSEMBLE
The artist reception will be followed by a free concert at 7:00 PM. with the Macalester College African Drum Ensemble, hosted by the Warroad Elementary School Music Department. Learn more at warroadriverplace.org.
For more information about Warroad RiverPlace and upcoming events, visit the new arts, culture, and events center Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM. to 5:00 PM. The art gallery and tours of the space are free and open to the public. Contact the center at arts@warroadriverplace.org or (218) 986-0001. Learn more at warroadriverplace.org.
North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance
Saturday, January 25, 2025
3:00 to 5:30 PM
Bernie's Restaurant, 121 DeMers Ave. East Grand Forks, MN
Music by O'Neil Family Band
Caller: Jeanne O'Neil
All ages – singles, couples, families
Traditional American folk dances : Reels, squares, circle mixers and more... all dances are taught, fun, and easy to learn!
Donations at the door
Note: This is an after hours event. Bernie's closes at 3 PM, so if you would like to eat, come early!
Please join us for an Artist Reception for our current exhibit at NCTC on November 21.
Immersed in Color Inspired by Culture an exhibit open through November 21. This colorful exhibit includes 29 pieces of art created by four artists in acrylic, watercolor, beading, collage, and an award-winning hockey stick design.
NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett explained, "Our latest exhibit features three Native American Minnesota artists and one non-Native artist. It's a fantastic display of multifaceted creativity. Acrylic, watercolor, beading, mixed media, and college are all part of this unique exhibit."
You won't want to miss this incredible exhibit open through November 21 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. An artist reception will be held on Thursday, November 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Refreshments will be served. This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Please join us!
North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance
Saturday, November 23rd
2:00 to 4:30 PM
East Grand Forks Senior Center
538 Rhinehart Dr. SE, East Grand Forks
Music by Leatherwood String Band from Bemidji
Caller: Jeanne O'Neil
All ages – singles, couples, families
Reels, squares, circle mixers and more... all dances are taught and easy to learn!
Donations at the door
Grant Writing Training is November 4. RSVP today!
This grant writing training is Monday, November 4 at 4 PM. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org. You can take advantage of the opportunity to come into our office and work on your grant in our grant writing space!
FYI The Deadline for Individual Artist Grants is Coming Soon
November 15 for $5,000 and $1,500 Grants
Free Grant Writing Session on November 4
Here’s the background on the grants. Applications are open for arts grants to individuals from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
This year both the individual Artist Grants for $5,000 and $1,500 have a November 15 deadline. Quick turnaround grants for $500 are also available on an ongoing basis. 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 and $5,000 going to four individuals. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2025). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.
Make sure you RSVP for the grant writing training. It’s free!
North Country Fiddle and Dance
Community Dance
All ages/ Families/ Couples/ Singles — Come one and all!
All dances taught, no experience needed.
Saturday, October 26th
2:00 to 4:30 PM
East Grand Forks Senior Center
538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E., East Grand Forks
Music by Tickwood String Band ( Fergus Falls)
Caller: Jeanne O'Neil
Free will donation at the door