Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Awards $70,181 to arts organizations 

SMAC awarded $57,881 to local arts organizations for Equipment & Facilities Improvement Grants

 

Equipment & Facilities Grants Provide up to $10,000 in matching funds to arts organizations for the purchase of equipment items and facilities improvements that will strengthen the organization’s capacity to serve the arts needs of the SMAC region. 20% cash match required.

 

Bird Island Cultural Centre, $3,687 for installing a new hot water baseboard (and thermostat) in a portion of their current building to make the space more comfortable and accessible for arts workshops, a community gathering space, and office area. The grant will also help to make the space more usable through the purchase of storage shelving units for art supplies and other program storage items. Primarily, the space will assist in making youth art classes and adult classes and studio time more accessible. birdislandculture.com

Blue Mound Area Theatre, Luverne, $10,000 to replace wireless microphones, which had been using service band frequencies that have now been de-authorized for use by the FCC. The theatre plans to purchase mics to utilize the 12 stations of their current control board. The grant will also fund installation, training of the new equipment, and project administration.

Department of Public Transformation, Granite Falls, $10,000 for a professional audio recording set up at the YES! House for a community recording studio. This studio is meant to: offer affordable, high-quality recordings to local musicians and bands; provide training to aspiring audio engineers, podcasters and sound designers in the region; and professionally document live music performances for regional musicians. Funds will go towards microphones, desktop computer and mixing console, headphones, monitor speakers, a recording interface, needed cables and power supplies. www.publictransformation.org

Jackson Center for the Arts, Jackson, $10,000 to replace the center's old and inefficient heating and cooling systems. This project will install a new furnace and air conditioning system in the basement, using a single, balanced duct-work system venting through the floor. The grant will also fund a new electric water heater. The new system will be more energy efficient, make the center more comfortable, and help with upkeep and longevity of the space. www.jacksoncenterforthearts.com

Rhythm of the River, Jackson, $8,904 for an electrical upgrade on the festival grounds located at Fort Belmont in Jackson. With the electrical upgrade, they will no longer need to rely on temporary installation every year that is not financially reasonable or reliable. Rhythm of the River says the upgrade will allow for capacity and future growth of the festival. www.rhythmoftheriver.org

RiverSong Music Festival, Hutchinson, $5,454 for multiple pieces of equipment to help improve the festival experience and efficiency. Multiple ipad stands will be purchased for the ticket gates, merchandise tents and beverage tents. The stands, with the use of the systems on the ipads, will improve security, cash management, accurate ticket counts, and overall book keeping of the festival. The grant will also go towards the festival being able to deisign and hang a new backdrop on one of their stages to update the look and replace old, ineficient pieces. The festival will also be adding two 50-amp services to the main electrical board to accommodate vendor booths and improve sales by eliminate long lines, which will add to attendee satisfaction for the festival. www.riversongfestival.org

Wilder Pageant Committee, Walnut Grove, $9,836 to replace microphones that won't be usable soon due to the recent change in frequency de-authorization of bands over 608 Mhz. Funding will go towards the microphones, required cables, distribution networks and directional FM antennas. The grant will help the pageant improve needed quality sound reinforcement needed for large scale, open air productions. walnutgrove.org/pageant

SMAC awarded $12,300 to local arts organizations

 

Arts Organization Development grants provide arts organizations in the SMAC region with up to $5,000 in matching funds to increase their long-term stability and capacity through organizational development and management projects. 20% cash match required.

 

Blue Mound Area Theatre, Luverne, $5,000 to put together and implement an orientation training program for their new Palace Theater executive director, Shawn Kinsinger. The program would include: an introduction to the regional and state arts boards and arts advocacy organizations; understanding the full role of theater management and effectively managing a presenting organization; developing relationships with booking organizations and skills in procuring artists; developing theater seasons and variety of offerings to meet community needs; writing and managing arts grants; understanding and developing skills in arts marketing and advertising; improving competencies in theater technology; and understanding theater rigging and infrastructure. The board has identified people for Kinsinger to meet with in order to achieve all these directives. Funding will go towards travel and lodging, consultant fees, and online course fees.

Department of Public Transformation, Granite Falls, $4,800 to hire a consultant from Vela Strategy to help equip their staff, board, capital campaign steering committee and development committee with the tools and skills to manage and complete a successful capital campaign in their region, dealing with a "Small Town City Artist in Residence" program. According to the applicant, Vela Strategy works with non-profits in Minnesota and they are "passionate about working with small, rural non-profits." www.publictransformation.org

Art Legacy Project Planning Grants provide organizations up to $2,500 to plan for a specific large-scale project or activity that will create or advance a strong arts legacy in Minnesota. 20% cash match required.

Department of Public Transformation, Granite Falls, $2,500 to work towards establishing the first artist-in-residence program in a small town of this size in the country; the goal is to embed regional and national artists in the City of Granite Falls to collaborate with City departments on projects that address city-related initiatives, engage residents in planning processes, encourage participation in civic life, highlight and inform the public on inner-workings of the City, and energize locations around Granite Falls with creative activity. The applicant said this grant will "support an artist-led, community-engaged planning process as we engage City Departments, local community organizations and businesses, artists, and residents to finalize the design of the Granite Falls City Artist in Residence Program, to ensure that it meets the needs of as many constituents as possible." Funding will go towards founding members attending a Springboard for the Arts Workshop, Art of the Rural Workshop, project coordinator time, artist advisor stipends, travel (for both members and visiting consultants), advertising/publicity costs, and supplies and food for workshops and meetings. www.publictransformation.org

SW MN Arts Council 2019 *ARTIST RETREAT* 

Join artists from across Southwest Minnesota for 1 & 1/2 days of networking and arts inspiration. Workshop sessions have been created to appeal to artists of all disciplines. The workshops will be held at Danebod Folk School in Tyler, MN for a "get-away" learning atmosphere.

DATES:    Friday afternoon/evening, May 3 and all day Saturday, May 4. You may choose to attend just Friday, or just Saturday... or join us for the entire event along with overnight lodging at the historic Danebod Folk School.

FEES:

*Attendees outside SMAC Region: $25/day

Session topics include:

For the detailed schedule with class option times, please click here.

For the pdf brochure with the full schedule, please click here .

AND... Enjoy a special preview of the musical theatre performance of "Mamma Mia," highlights by MARSHALL AREA STAGE COMPANY on Friday night at 7pm.

Plus the networking between fellow artists is a must-attend reason. JOIN THE FUN!!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 26, 2019

Danebod Folk School

SMAC to hold public hearing on Fiscal Year 2020 & 2021 Biennial Plan

 

On Tuesday, April 23, 2017, the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) will hold a hearing at 6:30 pm at the SMAC Office, 114 N Third Street, Marshall, MN.

SMAC is offering this to ensure response to constituent needs in the SMAC's 2020-2021 Biennial Plan. This hearing is designed to gather testimony about the Arts Council's programs and policies. Commentary and recommendations will be considered prior to final submission of the Biennial Plan.

Individuals or groups can present testimony at the Marshall meeting. SMAC invites the public to address what is important to their community, suggestions for programs and services, and what special areas the Arts Council should address. Written testimony may be submitted to info@swmnarts.org or SW MN Arts Council, PO Box 55, Marshall, MN 56258.

A summary of the Biennial Plan is available here or can be reviewed at the SMAC office in Marshall. For more information call SMAC at 507-537-1471 or 800-622-5284 or email at info@swmnarts.org .

SMAC's Annual Arts Organization Summit

Join arts organizations of all types — theater, music, visual, arts councils and more — for an afternoon of learning & networking. Agenda will be announced soon, but for now, we think it's a good idea to make plans to attend! TUESDAY, MAY 21, 3:00 – 7pm. This will be a FREE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY open to arts organizations in the 18-county region associated with the SW MN Arts Council.

In the gallery: Tammy Grubbs

This exhibit will run through April 26, 2019. Tammy Grubbs received a SMAC Individual Developing Artist grant in 2017 to work on a series of oil paintings focusing on emotional figurative portraits. Grubbs describes this exhibit as "a series of expressive figurative works in mixed media with an emphasis on oil that depict visual representations of our emotions, in the areas of love, conflict and grief." The SMAC gallery is open M-F, 8 am-12 pm & 1-4:30 pm and is located at 114 N 3rd St in downtown Marshall.



Next in the gallery...

Elisabeth Fondell of Dawson will be exhibiting a creative partnership of her photography and writing. Fondell received a SMAC Individual Developing Artist grant in 2018. She says "I developed a body of work celebrating the emotion and story in food by exploring the intersection of food and culture through photographs and essays." Please join us for Fondell's artist reception on Thursday, May 9th from 5-7 pm . Fondell's exhibit will run May 9th-June 28, 2019.

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Additional funding provided by the McKnight Foundation. Minnesota thrives when its artists thrive. The McKnight Foundation supports working artists to create and contribute to vibrant communities.

April 3, 4:30 pm, 2019: Art Study Opportunity for Youth Applications Due

Art Study Opportunity for Youth grants provide up to $500 to allow young artists in grades 5-12 to attend an enrichment camp or specialty study. Standard weekly lessons are allowed only for students who qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program.

 

April 15, 4:30 pm, 2019: 2019 Prairie Disciple Award Nominations Due

The Prairie Disciple Award is for $1,000 and it acknowledges one person who has been instrumental in promoting the arts in the 18-county region of Southwest Minnesota. 

 

Click on the links for more information!

SMAC Seeks Next Prairie Disciple for the 2019 Award

Do you know someone in SW MN who deserves recognition for their contribution to the arts over an extended period of time through their activities and involvement? This year, this award has been increased to $1,000 ! Applications are due April 15, 2019 by 4:30 pm--don't wait to start! Click here to learn more.

Save the date to attend the Rural Arts & Culture Summit, taking place in Grant Rapids this year! SMAC finds this summit valuable to artists and arts organizations in our region, because of this we plan to supply scholarships towards registration fee and hotel. Stay tuned for more information on application guidelines and availability.

Remember to check out our regional arts calendar!

 

Click here to see the many arts events happening in our community! 

 

If you would like your arts event to be listed on our calendar, submit here .

Image is from the Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization group's arts program "Riverside Market & Muse", which received a SMAC Art Project grant.

Continue to keep up with news about the arts in our region!

Click the links below to read about:

Right: Student learning about wheel thrown pottery during SW/WC Service Cooperative's Young Artist Conference, which received SMAC funding.

SMAC and over 500 Minnesotans attended Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol!

Well over 500 arts advocates came together to talk to legislators about the importance of the arts in their communities on March 12. The halls of the Capitol were bustling with arts advocates and legislators talking about how state arts funding to the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils increases access to the arts in every corner of the state and how the Arts Give Back to our communities. Thank you to everyone who came to the Capitol and made an impact in support of arts funding! More images from the day can be found on MCA’s Facebook page . And an extra special thank you to so many representatives who were willing to listen to the importance of arts funding for the state of Minnesota, especially in the rural regions like ours! Arts Advocacy Day was a success and time well spent with arts supporters. And if you weren't able to attend, don't worry! You can still make your voice heard; see details below in our "Did You Know" segment!

 Right: SMAC Board Representative for Chippewa County, Georgette Jones and Kylie Rieke of Fairfax, who is a SMAC individual artist grantee, in front of the state capitol in St Paul.

Above: Meeting with Senator Gary Dahms.

Above: Speaking with Representative Rod Hamilton.

Above: Meeting with Representative Tim Miller.

Didn’t make it to Minnesota’s ARTS ADVOCACY DAY?

YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE!

Please take five minutes to

Urge your legislators to support state arts funding!

SMAC staff attended the workshop, “Engaging People with Disabilities in the Arts,” hosted by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council in St. Paul. Presenters included VSA Minnesota staff Craig Dunn and Jon Skaalen, along with Sam Jasmine, host of the Disability and Progress radio show on KFAI, who shared experiences, barriers, and solutions. The workshop focused on helping arts groups think about, plan, and prioritize ways to welcome people with disabilities to their activities and venues. 

The monthly segment where you can hear from SMAC grantees, participants, and members about their experiences! When asked why he values the arts and why he is a supporter through his membership, this was Tim's response. If you would like to be a contributing member of SMAC, please visit: https://swmnarts.org/opportunities/become-a-contributing-member-of-smac/

Would you like to become a contributing member of SMAC or renew your membership?

You can do so online or by mail, for an individual membership, business membership, or organizational membership. For more information, visit:

swmnarts.org/opportunities/become-a-contributing-member-of-smac/

 

Memberships

From February 26 to March 25

 

Contributors: ’52 Wing Restoration Committee, Appleton • Crow River Singers, Hutchinson • Jackson Federal Savings & Loan, Jackson • Mary Jane Striegel, Marshall • Audrey Arner & Richard Handeen, Montevideo • Pipestone Civil War Days, Pipestone • Mary Ann Yseth, Pipestone • Ramona Welsand Larson, Redwood Falls • Joan & Wesley Bakker, Westbrook • George & Dody Davies, Willmar • John & Karin Gilbertson, Willmar • Margaret Hurlbut-Vosburgh, Worthington •

Supporters: Paul Jones & Lori Grote, Jackson • Carol Purrington, Marshall • Marvin & Jane Link, Milan • Brent & Robin Olson, Ortonville • Nobles County Art Center, Worthington •

Sustainers: John & Leanna Ginocchio, Marshall • Verna Kay Patrick, New London •

Patrons: Tim & Carol Ceynowa, Luverne •

Benefactors : Swift County Commission, Appleton • McLeod County Commission, Glencoe • Jackson County Commission, Jackson • Lac qui Parle County Commission, Madison • Lyon County Commission, Marshall • Daren Gislason, Minneota • Renville County Commission, Olivia • Redwood County Commission, Redwood • Cottonwood County Commission, Windom • Kandiyohi County Commission, Willmar • Nobles County Commission, Worthington •

2019 SW MN Arts Council BOARD OF DIRECTORS