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1.27.26 Robert Ndondo-Lay
Robert Blair Ndondo-Lay is a Minneapolis-based filmmaker, educator, and program administrator at FilmNorth. In addition to facilitating FilmNorth’s outreach and professional development efforts—engaging education and industry partners, media artists, and students — he administers the McKnight Media Artist Fellowship Program, which supports independent media artists living and working in Minnesota. Four fellowships of $25,000 are awarded every year. These fellowships are unrestricted (not project based) and, in addition to the funding, they offer recognition and educational opportunities. These fellowships are for filmmakers; writers and directors in film, television, and streaming; interactive and virtual reality creative artists; and other media artists (including but not limited to radio, podcasters, narrative-based storytellers) who are beyond emerging and have a history of sustained work (not for beginning artists).
Robert’s professional background includes contributions to prominent film and television organizations such as Verve Talent & Literary Agency, Imagine Entertainment, IMAX, and Fox Searchlight Pictures. Since joining FilmNorth in 2023, Robert has developed and managed more than a dozen programs that support filmmakers at every stage—from emerging voices to established artists. His work includes workforce training, fellowships, youth media education, and industry mentorship, all aimed at expanding access for underrepresented artists and strengthening the region’s creative ecosystem.
Applications for the McKnight Media Artist Fellowships open this year on February 2 and the deadline to apply is March 23. https://filmnorth.org/filmmaker-support/mcknight/
Robert is open to offering feedback and other assistance for fellowship applicants. Listen to hear more of the fellowships, information about the application process, and much more!
12.10.25 Bao Phi
Bao Phi is the Arts & Culture program officer at the McKnight Foundation.
Bao is also a poet, an author, and a spoken word artist. He’s a two-time Minnesota Grand Slam champion and a National Poetry Slam finalist. Bao shared information about the history of spoken word and his experience and enjoyment of the art. His poetry is included in The Best American Poetry 2006 anthology and published widely elsewhere. And, he’s also a children’s book author. Born in Saigon shortly before the mass exodus of his family and many others to the United States, Bao is a Vietnamese American raised in south Minneapolis.
Prior to McKnight, Bao worked for nearly 23 years at the Loft Literary Center in a few roles, including managing the McKnight Artist Fellowship program in Creative Writing.
Support for individual artists is a focus of the McKnight Foundation’s Arts & Culture program. McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships provide $25,000 in unrestricted support for midcareer artists and discipline-specific artistic and professional development opportunities. Bao spoke about the various McKnight Fellowships and the partner organizations that manage them.
In addition to the fellowship program, McKnight provides multiyear general operating funds to artist and culture bearer organizations. Their support includes a focus on greater Minnesota and they support regional arts councils (including the NWMAC) to get arts dollars out to all the counties in the state.
Bao has a unique perspective as a working artist that informs his role as administrator. His advice to applicants is to “Be brief and put your best work forward.”
Listen to this engaging conversation to learn more about Bao and the fellowship program.
11.12.25 Cristeta Boarini
Cristeta Boarini is the Partnerships Program Manager at The Loft in Downtown Minneapolis. She spoke about resources, programs, and classes that the Loft offers virtually (and in person). Writers can find a community to help them grow their writing at the Loft. Learn more at loft.org
She also shared information about the McKnight Fellowship for Writers — the deadline to apply is open until November 30. Awards are for $25,000 and are available for mid-career established artists. Four awards will be given for spoken word and poetry, and one for children’s literature ages 8 and under. Judges change each year so Cristeta recommended that even if you’ve applied in the past, consider applying again. Winners join an elite alumni group. Apply through the loft.org. Eligibility questions can be sent to awards@loft.org.
2.13.24 Dana Kassel
Dana Kassel is the Program Director for the McKnight Fellowships for Choreographers and Dancers at the Cowles Center. These fellowships are for mid-career artists, are unrestricted, and statewide. Listen to hear about the fellowships!