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8.5.26 Mara Hanel
NWMAC Executive Director Mara Hanel spoke about the NWMAC’s current Call for Folk Art, what folk art is, and examples of art or items individuals or groups can submit for the exhibit. The submissions deadline for the Folk Art Exhibit is August 21 and it will be open from September 3 to the end of November at our gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls. Mara also shared info about NWMAC’s Active Artist Award. This is a reimbursable award for eligible art purchases up to $500. Artists are encouraged to reach out to Mara before they make the purchase to ensure that it is eligible for reimbursement. It’s a much simpler process than applying for a grant. Mara also highlighted the Emergency Relief Fund. August 15 is the next upcoming deadline. This funding uses a simple form as well. You can find the forms and information for the Active Artist Award and the Emergency Relief Fund at the top of our website under forms and also under resources. Finally, Mara spoke about NWMAC’s grant deadlines for arts projects, individual artists, artist residencies, and arts equipment. Find out more throughout our website, monthly e-newsletter, and social media (FB, Instagram, and more!).
7.29.25 Heritage Days Teri Hammarback & Jeanne O’Neil
Teri Hammarback and Jeanne O’Neil spoke about East Grand Fork’s Heritage Days taking place August 8 and 9. Located at Heritage Village (219 20th St NE), the celebration will include history, lots of live music, activities like broom making, and many other events. The theme this year for the music show is immigrants. Listen to the interview to hear more details about the event.
The schedule for the Heritage Days Traditional Music Show is
Saturday- August 8
1 PM- Jeremy Kingsbury- bagpiper and historian. Jeremy plays several types of small pipes in the Scottish, French and Irish traditions.
2 PM Bob and Gail Johnson - Songs and tunes from Ireland and Appalachia, with guitar, harmonica, recorder, harp and more.
3 PM -Vidar Skrede- Norwegian folk music - fiddle, hardanger fiddle, guitar and mandolin.
Sunday- August 9
12 PM – O'Neil Family Band- French Canadian, Celtic and Appalachian tunes and songs – fiddle, guitar, banjo, concertina and step dance.
1 PM- Vidar Skrede- Norwegian fiddle music
2 PM- Bob and Gail Johnson- Celtic and Appalachian songs and tunes
3 PM-Jeremy Kingsbury- Bagpiper
Chuck Gust, accordionist, will entertain for the Sunday noon dinner in the Beier Bldg.
*This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund.
Other activities on the grounds from 10 AM to 4 PM each day.
7.22.26 Ross Hier & Beau Bakken
Artists Beau Bakken of Hallock and Ross Hier of Crookston were the featured artists this week. Their work is featured in the exhibit Iron and Feathers: Art of the Northwest is open through August at the Historic Fournet Building.
The Artist Reception will be on August 13 from 6 to 7:30 PM. Lake Bronson Violinist Eden Johnson will be playing. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The exhibit will close after the reception.
For this exhibit, Ross concentrated on birds. He prefers to use watercolors on paper. Beau’s work is in acrylic on canvas. His work focuses on buildings and vehicles — old trucks, tractors, machinery, and elevators— that capture interesting scraps of light on metal. Both artists discussed their practice, process, our region, and more! Many pieces of the art is for sale.
7.15.26 Alyssa Aune
Alyssa Aune recently completed the NWMAC Teaching Artist Training. She spoke about the training — what it involved, the lesson planning, her residency, the TARP roster, the group of artists who took the training, and more.
She also talked about her art and workshops that she has taught or will be teaching.
Check out Alyssa's teaching artist page on our website https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/alyssa-aune-tarp. She also has an Etsy account where she sells photos of Highland cows and more. You can find her on Etsy if you search alyssaaunephoto.
Listen to the recording to learn more!
7.8.26 Britt Dahl
Roseau County Historical Society Director and Curator Britt Dahl spoke about the museum, the exhibits, events they host and sponsor — authors, music, art classes (wood carving, crop art) — history, and more. The museum is located in the Roseau City Center. They’ve received grant funding from the NWMAC for some of their arts events. Stop by to check it out and listen to the interview to learn more!
7.1.26 Anna Pollock
Anna Pollock is the Executive Director of the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and the current Forum of Regional Arts Councils board chair. She spoke about the regional arts councils, the Legacy Amendment, other funding sources, and the impact of the Emergency Relief Funds on her region (we are trying to promote this program ourselves now with $500 grants).
NWMAC's Emergency Relief Fund. The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides short-term relief to individual artists facing housing, healthcare, income, transportation, legal, or property loss emergencies that impact their wellbeing or ability to work. This program offers one-time awards of $500. In general, payments for emergency assistance are considered gifts and are not taxable income. Individuals must be currently active in a creative practice and live in Region 1: (Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, or Roseau). The Artists Emergency Relief Fund Network is stewarded by Springboard for the Arts and supported by F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
The application process opened May 1, 2026. Application deadlines are June 15, August 15, October 15, and December 1 as funds allow. Read more and download the application here at our website.