Northern Arts News
June 2020
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Region 2 Arts Council Response
Artistic expression acts as the eyes, ears, and voice of humanity, building empathy and calling us to see, hear, and respond as one human being to another. As a primarily white led organization that supports and celebrates human expression, Region 2 Arts Council is called to listen, learn, and respond in this moment of collective outrage and grief over the murder of a Black man, Minneapolis resident George Floyd.
We too have a role to play in supporting the dismantling of structures that permit both deadly and every-day acts of racism and inequity to occur in our communities.
Region 2 Arts Council acknowledges that this act of extreme violence against a Person of Color is not an isolated incident, but reflective of a society in which actions based in, and supported by, racial bias are the norm. Region 2 Arts Council is committed to naming and grappling with the racism, injustices, and inequities that exist and persist in our own region, as we stand in solidarity with our statewide RAC colleagues to build more equitable systems and practices.
Region 2 Arts Council
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Image of Region 2 Arts Council’s current
Staff and Board Books-In-Common
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Current Office Status
Our Region 2 Arts Council office, located inside the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji, continues to be closed at this time. Our commitment to staying connected and respond to your needs is at the forefront of our work.
We are in this Together!
If you need additional support, have questions or need assistance – call us 218-751-5447 / 800-275-5447 or email
staff@r2arts.org
Individual Staff Contacts:
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Become an Advocate for the Arts in your Community!
Seeks New Board Members
Do you believe in the value of the arts? Do you live in Hubbard, Mahnomen or Lake of the Woods county? Our board of directors has vacancies to fill and we
encourage you to consider joining our team!
We seek
new Board Members
-- two from Hubbard county, one from Mahnomen County, and one from Lake of the Woods county.
New board member terms begin in late summer/early fall 2020 and will end in June, 2022.
Learn more about this opportunity
HERE.
Please contact
laura@r2arts.org
if you have any questions or would like more information regarding this opportunity.
Executive Committee Members (FY21)
Chair: Gayle Gish - Mahnomen County
Vice Chair: CT Marhula - Lake of the Woods County
Treasurer:
Shannon Lucas-Westrum - Beltrami County
Secretary: Rebecca Colebank - Clearwater County
Board Members
:
Pam Janssen - Clearwater County
Michael Schlemper - Beltrami County
vacant - Mahnomen County
vacant - Lake of the Woods
two vacancies - Hubbard County
Outgoing Board Members
Every June 30 at our fiscal year end, we say goodbye to dedicated board members who are completing their terms of service.
This year
Board Chair Laura Grisamore
(Hubbard County)
and
Board Secretary Deb Carlson
(Lake of the Woods County)
will be leaving us. For the next few weeks, both Laura and Deb are very much with us, providing guidance as we set up our operations for the coming year.
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R2AC Covid-19
Updates & Resources
From our friends at Arts Midwest:
COVID-19 has profoundly changed our world, our lives, and the arts. Arts Midwest and The Alliance of Performing Arts Conferences (APAC)* have gathered voices across the performing arts field for a conversation about how they’re innovating during disruption. Learn how these leaders have adapted to online fundraising, experimented with new dance class models, and moved performances online.
(Webinar) Disruption & Innovation: Creative Performing Arts Responses to COVID-19
They have also put together a
resource guide
to help you go even deeper with the information shared in the webinar.
From our Friends at
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts:
As the arts and culture sector plans for re-opening museums, theaters and other arts spaces that gather large groups of people, many leaders are working together to share best practices and coordinate opening. Listen to a webinar with the Minnesota top expert on the pandemic, the “Dr. Fauci of Minnesota” Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. He provides the latest information about the pandemic and its future as well as advice for welcoming people back to our venues as artists, audiences, visitors, and employees.
Webinar With Dr. Michael Osterholm for the Arts and Culture Sector, and other Opportunities
As the COVID-19 impacts evolve and reveal themselves, these surveys remain open
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R2AC Connections via Zoom
Region 2 Arts Council is making its Zoom platform available to support and inspire connections across artists and arts leaders. We believe these sessions can offer opportunities to convene, share ideas, connect and network. Or to simply be inspired and feel supported by each other. It is our way to facilitate social connections and creative possibilities during these times of physical distancing.
**Zoom meetings can be accessed by phone or computer.
Feedback is welcome and encouraged!
(Registration is Required)
Artists’ Gathering Hour
June 11
at 1:00 PM
Arts Leaders’ Gathering Hour
June 17
at 10:00 AM
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On May 18, 2020 the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors awarded $23,058 through the Arts Access Grants for Small Towns. This grant is designed to support the creation, production, and presentation of high quality arts activities in towns with a population of less than 2,000, and to help instill the arts into community and public life in our region by removing barriers that audiences may have to accessing these activities. Granted activities must display a commitment to reaching wider audiences through providing new and/or expanded arts programming to residents of Beltrami, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen counties, and/or by supporting accessibility initiatives through the project.
This year’s grant recipients include:
Clear Waters Life Center
, with two locations in Clearbrook and Gonvick, was awarded $5,670 to offer a series of afternoon and evening arts classes in a variety of mediums.
Bagley Area Arts Collaborative
was awarded $6,000 to produce a puppet presentation based on a traditional Anishinaabe story about the spirit of fever, Megissogwon, which is defeated by Nanabozho and the Woodpecker.
The Sustainable Sheep and Fiber Community of Northern Minnesota
was awarded $5,958 to provide a learning workshop on tapestry felting to create a useable traditional Mongolian yurt.
Mask and Rose Women’s Theater Collective
of Puposky was awarded $5,430 to host Sister Song, a concert of well-established female musical artists that also showcases up and coming female musicians.
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Region 2 Arts Council staff are available
Monday through Friday,
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact us via email, Facebook messenger, or phone.
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Nest of Baby Robins
Painting Class
June 3
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(with lunch break)
Students will paint a nest of baby robins on an 11” X 14” canvas. The instructor will provide paints, brushes, and the 11×14 canvas. The cost is $50 for the class. Class size is limited. Instructor: Maureen O’Brien
First Friday Open House
June 5
2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Gallery North will host Showcase Artist Marion Caroline during the First Friday reception on June 5, 2020 from 2:00-6:00 pm. Marion holds a B.S. Degree in Art and was a local middle school teacher for ten years. Her artwork includes watercolors, acrylics, oils, and paintings on feathers. She is best known for her Equine Art.
Marion’s favorite medium is Watercolor with her favorite subjects including nature and horses, especially performance type horses as she considers them to be “music in motion.”
Baby Raccoon
Painting Class
June 10
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(with lunch break)
Students will paint a baby raccoon peeking out of a textured tree hole on an 11” X 14” canvas. The instructor will provide paints, brushes, and the canvas. The cost is $50 for the class. Class size is limited. Instructor: Maureen O’Brien
310 4th Street NW
Bemidji
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On-line Recitals
Bemidji Area Church Musicians' online recitals start next week.
June 3
12:00 pm
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Paint with Nate
June 5
6:00 pm
Paint outside at Deane Park & create your very own cozy campfire. Space is limited. Bring your own beverages & snacks if you’d like.
Due to COVID-19 we will take all necessary precautions.
Or Call/text Nate Luetgers at (218)252-3825
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Members Show
June 5 - August 29
Members were asked to submit pieces of their own work or from their collections to be juried in for this annual exhibit. Featured at the 2020 Members Show will be a variety of mediums: from paintings and photography to textiles, wood, and more! In addition, a drawing for a $300 WAC Gift Card will be held at the opening of the exhibit. The winner must be a current member at the $150 Contributor Level to be eligible.
Image
:
Peek-a-Boo
, Watercolor/Mixed Media by Kathy Gustafson
The Kaul Gallery is visible through the windows of the Center. A virtual exhibit will be released to coincide with the show opening. Watermark is currently closed to the public and is in the process of developing plans and procedures to safely reopen.
Invisible Valley
Photography by John Pearson. The exhibit presents a selection from hundreds of photos Pearson gathered as he explored towns, fields, and wild places surrounding the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Jill Oakes hopes to also provide adult classes and tutorials as part of her regular "Maker’s Series" that was supposed to start this spring.
Forshee-Donnay said they aim to use supplies most people will have on-hand at home for these projects, so families can follow along without having to leave the house.
Art@Home
As part of the Spring “Makers” Series, Watermark is initiating development of at-home art classes & tutorials for kids and families. They’ve got all kinds of ideas on how to bring Watermark into your home.
Stay tuned!
Big River Continuum
The Big River Continuum (BRC), a collaborative exchange program intended to cultivate cultural connections among communities of the Mississippi River from the Headwaters to the Delta, will continue with indigenous artists Karen Goulet (White Earth Nation, Bemidji area) and Monique Verdin (Louisiana’s United Houma Nation, Delta region).
Goulet's blog, as well as more information regarding the residency program and links to the collaborating organizations, can be found at
watermarkartcenter.org
Watermark Art Center
505 Bemidji Ave
Bemidji
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Unified Arts Painting Workshop
with Alice Blessing
June 8
9:30 - 12:00 pm
Join local portrait painter Alice Blessing and community members for a social-distancing painting workshop for people of various physical and mental abilities. Staying six feet away from each other, we will finger paint and meet new people, all with the goal of having fun.
Headwaters Music and Arts will provide gloves, masks, and social distancing space, as well as all painting supplies and canvas.
Please wear painting clothes.
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Virtual Art with Diamond Knispel
Join Diamond for various online art project tutorials via
Facebook
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Fiddle Camp Canceled
Headwaters has canceled Fiddle Camp for this year. Stay Tuned for next year's program.
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Auditions Extended
The deadline to register for Bemidji Sings! is extended to
June 30
Rather than a live audition, contestants are asked to submit a video recording of your song for our judges to review. You may perform without accompaniment, with recorded music, or, new for this year, even accompany yourself.
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Headwaters Music & Arts
519 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji
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June 9
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
On the second Tuesday of every month.
Grab a drink of your choice and join us online. No formal agenda, only good times, good friends, good chats!
OR (because rural broadband...):
Call-in number - 1-646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 350 336 000
Feel free to invite friends!
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Rural Activism and Anti-Racism Meet-up
June 5
1:00 - 2:30 pm
On-line meet-up.
Join for a conversation with rural artists and creatives in Minnesota and beyond who are looking for effective ways to meet this moment with the resources and creativity that they have. Listen to a panel of rural BIPOC artists about how they’re doing right now and what they want white rural neighbors to know, and then break into small facilitated groups to discuss specific questions, ideas and commitments.
Work of Art Series Online
Finding Funding Panel
June 13
1:00 p.m.
Free online course
. Learn about navigating the artist-funder relationship, with an emphasis on developing strategies during and after the COVID-19 epidemic. We’re inviting members of the arts community experienced both in granting organizations and as independent artists for a panel discussion and Q & A
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Arts Going Virtual
Join us to discuss how nonprofits can respond to these challenging times through alternative forms of arts presentation! *This event is co-sponsored by Lake Region Arts Council and MN Council of Non Profits.
The online training webinar, "Arts Going Virtual" that was scheduled for
June 4th
has been rescheduled. This virtual meeting will now be taking place on Thursday, June 17th at Noon.
June 17
12:00 pm
Presented by
GreaterMN Virtual Networking
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Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
In response to COVID-19 concerns, Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference is now coming to you via an
online format.
The conference offers weeklong workshops, Faculty Craft Conversations and Readings, a Participant Reading, Editor’s Talk/Q&A, Yoga for Writers, and more.
June 22 - 26
(Auditor Tracks are Available)
UPDATE
: Limited online seats available in the fiction and creative nonfiction workshops so register today to secure your spot!
This year’s
Distinguished Visiting Writer
is
Check out their
Evening Reading Series
Events are free
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This activity is made possible by funding from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment and from the Minnesota State Arts Board
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Offers on-line writing classes for this summer.
Writing the Short Poem II (a five-week online course) begins on
June 30
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The ILI is a collaborative program of Alternate ROOTS, First Peoples Fund, National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures and the PA'I Foundation.
by
July 31
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Photo by Nedahness Greene
Bemidji Art In The Park Canceled
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and the logistics of planning a large outdoor event, the Board of the Watermark Art Center regretfully announces the cancellation of this year’s Art in the Park art fair scheduled for July 18- 19, 2020. Planning has already started for next year so mark your calendar for July 17-18, 2021!
For more information on Watermark programming and COVID-19 updates go to their website.
Watermark Art Center
505 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji
218-444-7570
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2nd Street Stage Concert Series Canceled
The Park Rapids Downtown Business association regrets to inform you that the 2nd Street Stage Concert Series is Canceled for 2020.
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Lake of the Woods Artist's Retreat Postponed
The Artist's Retreat is canceled for this year.
The September retreat will be back in 2021.
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Seeking Administrator
The BSO is hiring! They're looking for an Administrator. Please
visit them
for the position description and application instructions.
Bemidji Symphony Orchestra
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Self-Employed Artists are now Eligible for Unemployment Benefits - Artists and Creative Workers are Eligible to Apply
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Emergency Relief
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is providing $500,000 in emergency relief to cultural institutions affected by COVID-19.
Minnesota Humanities Center
St. Paul, MN
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Resilience Fund
A Resilience Fund to provide
emergency relief
to grassroots artists and culture bearers within their network so that they can cover urgent personal needs: food, housing, caretaking, and/or healthcare expenses. Grants up to $1,000 to those individuals who are the most economically fragile and whose income has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and grants to our key artist and business coaches who lead the Native Artist Professional Development workshops in tribal communities and the Rolling Rez Arts classes on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Grants to our Indigenous Arts Ecology and Our Nations’ Spaces grantees -- tribal community-based organizations.
First Peoples Fund
Rapid City, SD
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COVID-19 Relief:
Including information on the t
he
Personal Emergency Relief Fund
made to help artists in Minnesota recover from personal emergencies by helping pay an unanticipated, emergency expense. In response to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, this
includes
lost income due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (i.e. commissions, performances, contracts) due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Artists can request up to $500 to compensate for cancelled work that was scheduled and lost.
Find out more here.
Professional Development Webinars:
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COVID-19 Relief and New Initiatives
Forecast is highly attuned to the impact of this pandemic on artists and the broader community and is working with other organizations locally and nationally to create responsive opportunities that support artists experiencing economic repercussions.
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Request for Qualifications
Five art commissions are up for grabs at Springboard for the Arts’ new home.
RFQ response deadline
June 22 by 11:59pm
Zoom info session
June 3, 2020 7-8pm.
Seeking up to five artists/artist teams who live, work or have a connection to Minnesota to create permanent art for one of 5 commissions at Springboard for the Arts’ new offices at 262 University Ave W, Saint Paul. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will consist of a two-part process, with an initial response to this RFQ due on June 22, 2020. Finalists will receive a $1000 stipend to prepare a full proposal.
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CANCELED:
Due to Covid-19 concerns, the 11th annual Studio Cruise is cancelled.
Bemidji, MN
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Call for Artists:
The Bemidji Anishinaabe Arts Expo, A Celebration of Indigenous Arts
4-Directions Development has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host a new art festival called, "The Bemidji Anishinaabe Arts Expo, A Celebration of Indigenous Arts."
The festival is scheduled to debut on
July 9-10, 2021.
The committee consists of the core partners, art organizations, local artists and community members. They are actively searching for artists and community members to be a part of this project and serve on the committee. They are also looking for experienced artists to serve as mentors to new and upcoming artists.
The project will choose a group of 12 Native artists to receive training, technical assistance and access to financial support to prepare for participation with various art events to expand their market.
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Congratulations!
to our friends at the new
Armory Arts & Events Center in Park Rapids!
We know this effort has taken many years. We applaud your tenacity, patience, commitment and fortitude as you faced the many hurdles to make this vision a reality. We applaud the various partners that worked together to make this possible, including the Armory board, City of Park Rapids and so many other community members who dedicated themselves to make this project possible.
We look forward to all the amazing creative endeavors that this center will support to further the strong arts presence within and around the community of Park Rapids.
-R2AC Staff and Board
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