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4.16.24 Rom Ogaard
The tables turned for our podcast this week. Pioneer 90.1 Radio Host Ron West, whose actual name is Rom Ogaard, was interviewed by Promotions Specialist Kristin Eggerling. Ogaard will be receiving the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award on Sunday, April 21.
Ogaard has been a radio host at KSRQ 90.1 radio at Northland Community and Technical College and is retiring at the end of the month. As Ron West, he has partnered with the NWMAC to offer a weekly radio segment that promotes artists, the arts, and arts organizations. He also has segments that feature the Campbell Library in East Grand Forks, and the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks. These radio programs have brought news and information about the arts to our region and beyond and highlighted our regional artists.
This award will be presented on Sunday, April 21 in Lake Bronson at the Kittson County History Museum. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines. Funding for this award comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.
Listen to the interview to hear about what Rom has learned about the arts and much more!
3.12.24 Scott Artley
MRAC Accessibility Program Director Scott Artley spoke about accessibility, including resources, planning, and services. MRAC — the Metro Regional Arts Council is one of the NWMAC’s fellow arts councils. The NWMAC strives to increase arts access.
Scott is also MRAC's designated ADA Access Coordinator and serves as the first point of contact for needs related to accessibility for people with disabilities.
As the Accessibility Program Director, Scott (he/him and they/them pronouns) has a dual role at MRAC. Along with other staff, he develops and manages grant programs for artists and arts organizations in the Twin Cities Metro. He also coordinates efforts to ensure MRAC's own grant processes, meetings, and other activities are accessible; and creates and mobilizes resources to expand the arts participation of people with disabilities in the region. Scott has 15 years of leadership experience advancing social justice in the Twin Cities art world at organizations like the Walker Art Center, Mixed Blood Theatre, and Patrick's Cabaret, and cut his teeth as a creative producer in the underground queer cultural center Madame of the Arts. He is a nationally recognized expert in arts and culture accessibility, and a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. Listen to the podcast to learn about accessibility in the arts and about Scott!
2.20.24 Heidi Danos
Fosston Artist Heidi Danos spoke about the Firefly Center for Arts and Wellbeing in Fosston. She’s been involved in creating this unique center. The Firefly Center is reinventing the traditional approach to mental health care by creating a unique space that provides a place for all to connect through art and wellbeing events, but also brings professional mental health services to Fosston and the surrounding communities.
Here’s some background: Three years ago… a community group in Fosston discovered that Alluma, a regional mental healthcare provider, was looking to secure a permanent location in Fosston.
Firefly conducted feasibility studies with Artspace, a nonprofit organization that specializes in consulting with organizations like Firefly to create financially sustainable, artistic, multi-use spaces. The Center will rely on income from two main sources–rent from Alluma, a regional mental health service provider, as well as two 1-bedroom apartment spaces available to the general public for rent.
The Center will also rent space for community events, artists, and provide wellbeing programming, whether it be financial, social, physical, mental, spiritual, or more.
In June 2023 Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing filed for 501c3 status and established a 12-member board, each bringing a unique skill sets to this project. A lease was signed in July and construction has begun.
Listen to learn more about the background and the progress of the center!
1.16.24 Anika Schneider
Director of Exhibitions and Artist Programs at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts Anika Schneider spoke about the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and the McKnight Fellowships for Book Artists. She provided lots of information about what the center does and offers for artists statewide (this includes educational programming for adults and youth, book binding, print making, all of the arts surrounding book making, educational programming, exhibits, workshops, and more). The Center is the largest book arts center in the country. The Center partners with the McKnight Foundation to offer 2 fellowships each year for book artists. Fellowships are for mid-career book artists (over 8 years) and support book artists in a number of ways. Apply online by March 1. Listen to learn all about the Center, the fellowships, and what a book artist! Contact Anika via email at aschneider@mnbookarts.org or visit their website at mnbookarts.org.
1.9.23 Lindsay Lewis
Lindsay Lewis from the MacPhail Center for Music spoke about the McKnight Fellowships for Musicians and MacPhail Center for Music. Lindsay is the contact for the McKnight Fellowships for Musicians. There are 4 fellowships available for musicians each year. Lindsay detailed many opportunities that are included with the fellowships and explained their commitment to artists throughout the entire state. Applications are open now and are due Monday, January 22. Visit macphail.org/mcknight-fellowships and listen to hear all about the fellowships!