In this issue:
- SMAC's next Arty Party in Cottonwood County!
- Grants Awarded: $3,500 to local organization and artist
- SMAC Announces new Arts Ambassador
- Two new representatives on the SMAC Board
- Collaborate with the Walker Art Center: Prairie Teen Arts Council
- SMAC grant updates: Upcoming Q&A session, grant deadlines & webinars
|
|
JOIN US for an “Arty Party” in Cottonwood County:
Friday, January 21 from 7 to 8:30 pm!
YOU are invited to network with artists and arts supporters in the Cottonwood County area! This event will take place at DAVID & MARILEE STROM's studio in Windom.
*more details will be published on our Facebook page soon*
This will be our fifth program in our 18-month series networking events for every county in our region. SMAC staff will be available to connect with attendees and get the word out about who SMAC is, what we do, and what services and assistance we can offer for our communities.
We look forward to p(art)ying with you!
|
|
SMAC Awards $3,500 to local organization and artist
The SMAC board voted in December of 2021 and awarded a total of $3,500 in grant funds to one organization and one artist within our SW MN region for a total of two grants awarded.
The following organization has been awarded a SMAC Quick Support for Organizations grant. Quick Support for Organizations grants provide an organization with up to $2,500 for activities such as planning for an Art Legacy project, strategic planning or board training, costs to apply for 501(c)(3) status, small equipment purchases, or small arts projects.
- The Jackson Center for the Arts was awarded $2,500 for a planning grant to help the center and the Jackson Interactive Art Task Force prepare their application process for a future Art Legacy Grant. The applicant explained that after a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board in 2021 that focused on Interactive Artwork in Downtown Jackson, they have learned how much support they have from the community for this type of public art and would like to continue growing that interest. With this grant they plan to canvass the community to learn what it represents to its stakeholders, locate artists to apply to work with the Jackson community and provide work samples, then select artists to submit plans for interactive art in Jackson, choose the plan that best suits their needs, and finally, host a community event to unveil and celebrate the future project.
|
|
The following artist has been awarded a SMAC Quick Support for Artists grant. Quick Support for Artists grants provide an artist with up to $1,000 for activities such as purchasing supplies, attending classes, and small artist-led community projects. |
|
-
Rhonda Buerkle of Glencoe was awarded $1,000 to go towards producing her 3rd children's book. Funding will go to working with an editor (Jennifer Rees) and an illustrator for the book, as well as paying for copies of the book to go to local elementary schools and libraries. The book will continue Rhonda's series that is based on her daughter and the daughter's stuffed wolf toy, Wolfy.
|
|
Next in the Gallery: John Sterner
John Sterner of Marshall will be exhibiting in the SMAC gallery January 13th through February 25th, 2022. John received an Individual Artist grant from SMAC in 2021 to transform ink and marker drawings into larger scale paintings. John said his themes are always related to his journey of self-discovery and his Sicangu Lakota heritage. You can follow John on Instagram under melauha. Pictured above is John's piece "Prayer for the Horses".
|
|
Please join us for an artist reception on Thursday, January 13th from 5-7 pm at the SMAC Gallery in Marshall, 114 N 3rd St.
The following week, on Thursday January 20th, join us for a Third Thursday Virtual Artist Talk at 5:30 pm via zoom:
Meeting ID: 861 7531 9236, Passcode: 032358
|
|
Artist Statement from John:
I am an Artist, Teacher, Coach, Sicangu Lakota, Parent, Husband, Brother, and Son. I have been involved in art in so many aspects; I teach, 28 years first grade (Lakeview Public Schools) through university (Southwest Minnesota State University). I have taught workshops, small groups, community programs and university connected presentations. I make personal and public Art; I work in many mediums: I sculpt in bronze, iron and fabricated steel, I make graphic art on the computer and paper, and I love to paint. The plains of Minnesota and South Dakota are my heritage, what makes me who I am. I live in southwestern Minnesota, near Marshall, and was born in Flandreau, South Dakota. The opportunity to create art that is culturally incorporating my heritage is an important part of my personal journey to find who I am as a person, instructor and artist. My personal work is and always has been the search for my belonging to my relatives. In almost all my work I include Wanbli (eagle) or the world they see. I see their image in all my work and whenever I am creating, their image appears and I am driven to draw and sculpt them or what the Wanbli sees. The eagle represents my spiritual and holy side as well and my connection to family. Much of my painting work is finding my heritage, but within the last six years I have been exploring my heritage and who I am through painting. The world around me is the vision of the Wanbli and it is my connection, Plein Air has become my Love and a majority of my creative focus of late. I really enjoy being outside, really enjoyed the connection between me and the world around. My heart-rate changes, my thoughts become serene, almost placid. I feel a connection between me and a spiritualness arise and I feel enlightened. My vision becomes clear, I gain energy and focus as I see image appear on my panel. I really feel a connection to my heritage as I paint, draw, and sculpt.
|
|
Please let us know of any accommodations needed for you to enjoy any of our events, virtual or in-person: info@swmnarts.org.
These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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.
|
|
SMAC's Quick Support for Organization grants are new this year, and organizations have applied mostly for planning grants, but did you know an organization can also apply to do a small art project? If your organization usually applies for an Art Project grant but the costs are under $1,000, it might be easier for your grant writers to fill out a more simplified application, like Quick Support! Or maybe this is an opportunity to try something new! More details about these grants can be found on the grant page. |
|
SMAC welcomes new Arts Ambassador |
|
The role of the SMAC ARTS AMBASSADOR is to build relationships, connections and networks with groups and communities that SMAC has not been successful in serving or reaching. The job includes a priority of creating connections with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and/or LGBTQIA2S+ artists and organizations, as well artists with disabilities and/or other groups or communities historically excluded in the region.
|
|
Please help us welcome Sirrina Martinez of Lake Benton as SMAC's South Arts Ambassador! This position covers the counties of Pipestone, Murray, Cottonwood, Rock, Nobles, and Jackson. Sirrina is an accomplished public affairs professional with extensive program and event management experience and described herself as a "self-starter with a demonstrated history of relationship building and creating momentum for change and action in communities". What great skills for a SMAC Arts Ambassador to possess!
More about Sirrina: Sirrina is a multimedia reporter (currently with the the Pipestone County Star), with experience in various forms of writing, photography, and videography. Additionally, she does contract digital content creation and management with local businesses. Sirrina also is a Public Affairs Officer with the Minnesota National Guard! She's participated in community theatre, including the Pipestone Performing Arts Center and the Lake Benton Opera House, just to name a few. She has an educational background in public relations, digital media & broadcasting, and a minor in graphic design. Sirrina said "Creative expression is an integral part of my life, one that I have spent countless hours on, learning from myself and others...the arts are an invaluable part of our society that every person deserves to be a part of, irrespective of their background."
|
|
SMAC Welcomes New Board Representatives |
|
Please join SMAC in welcoming our new Big Stone County representative, Judy Beckman of Ortonville! Judy Beckman has experience as the Big Stone County representative for the Southern Minnesota Tourism Association, was the CEO of the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, is an experienced grant writer, an amateur historian for Ortonville and Big Stone Lake area, and served on the music team for internationally competitive Pride of Portland Chorus. Judy explained her interest in joining the SMAC board: “I’m convinced that Big Stone County needs this affiliation to both serve as a link to SMAC as a resource, but also to think more ‘globally’ with respect to Big Stone County artists reaching out to a larger audience”.
|
|
Please join SMAC in welcoming our new Lac qui Parle County representative, Kristine Shelstad of Madison! Kristine Shelstad is the “Energizing Officer” of the Madison Mercantile; a community center that will include an art gallery, artists studios, performance stage and entrepreneurial spaces. Kristine is an Initiator Fellow for the Southwest Initiative Foundation, and has previously served as a board member of the Spicewood Arts Society in TX, as well as served in Rotary Clubs and Veteran Service Organizations. She is currently the Junior Vice Commander of the VFW Post 1656 in Madison and is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. Kristine is also a member of the Madison Arts Council, which promotes public art in Madison, and is involved with the local theatre group, the Lac qui Parle Players. Kristine attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, with a minor in Studio Art. She is interested in serving on the SMAC board because she wants to bring arts opportunities to underserved populations in her county.
SMAC is seeking a representative from Jackson, McLeod, and Renville county for our board:
|
|
Collaborate with the Walker Art Center!
In February 2022 the Walker Art Center will be piloting the Prairie Teen Arts Council (PTAC.) PTAC will offer a group of 10 teens from Southwest Minnesota a chance to collaborate with Walker staff, explore the inner workings of the museum, conduct original research and plan events. The group will meet virtually and weekly until April.
Spots are filling up so get your application in by Jan 10!
|
|
SMAC's Executive Director met with new Lac qui Parle board representative Kristine Shelstad to learn more about the Madison Mercantile, a community center that will include an art gallery, artist studios, performance stage and entrepreneurial spaces. What an exciting development for rural arts and artists in Southwest Minnesota! Expect to see more about the Mercantile for our Lac qui Parle Arty Party in March!
|
|
Pictured: Current and past SMAC Board in attendance at the 2021 Annual Celebration in Jackson, MN. |
|
SMAC is seeking representatives from Jackson County, McLeod County, and Renville County to serve on it’s Board of Directors!
|
|
View the entire grants calendar for our current fiscal year here.
- Provides up to $10,000 to to artists to create a major new work while collaborating with the community, introducing community members to the arts in a new way. **Watch June 2021 recorded webinar**
-
Provides up to $500 to allow young artists entering grades 5 – 12 to attend an enrichment camp or specialty study. Standard weekly lessons (such as piano or voice lessons) are allowed only for those students who qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program. Arts supplies costs are allowed for students attending a MN public arts high school. No match requirements. **Register for February 15, 2022 Webinar, 7-8 pm**
|
|
Join us on Zoom for a virtual Grants Questions & Answers Session You will be invited to get your questions answered about any of our grant programs
|
|
You don't have to register, but you can if you'd like email reminders with the zoom link information; click on the above links!
|
|
Meeting ID: 982 8089 0625
Passcode: 433868
|
|
|
Upcoming SMAC Grantwriting Webinars: January
Please let us know of any accommodations needed for you to attend any of our events, virtual or in-person: info@swmnarts.org. While these grant workshop webinars are free, participants must register to be able to join the meeting.
January 4, Noon-1 pm: Equipment & Facilities Improvement Grants Webinar
January 10, 7-8 pm: Artist Equity Grants Webinar
January 18, Noon-1 pm: Quick Support for Artists Grants Webinar
-
Quick Support for Individual Artist grants provide artists with up to $1,000 for activities such as purchasing supplies, attending classes, and small artist-led community projects. Application deadlines: 1st of the Month, August 2021-April 2022 by 4:30 pm.
|
|
Meet With Our Grants Administrator
SW MN Arts Council grants administrator Caroline Koska is available to meet with you by phone, web conference or in person at our office in Marshall to answer your questions on grant eligibility and using the application system or to review a draft of your application. Schedule a time with Caroline Koska.
As a reminder, Koska also holds monthly in-person open office hours at the SMAC offices in Marshall on the second Tuesday of every month from 10 am to 2 pm. The next one will take place January 11th.
Call 800-622-5284 or email us info@swmnarts.org with your questions. Please let us know of any accommodations needed for you to attend any of our events, virtual or in-person: info@swmnarts.org.
|
|
Would you like to help SMAC review and score grant applications?
The SMAC Board of Directors continually seeks panels of artists, arts administrators, arts volunteers, and arts appreciators representing multiple artistic disciplines from throughout the SMAC geographic region and from all our communities including BIPOC, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Being a grant panelist is a positive way to strengthen your grantwriting skills by understanding the process as a whole. It's also a great way to learn and support what exciting projects are happening in rural SW MN! Panelists are compensated $75 for a panel. More details on being a SMAC panelist
|
|
For more opportunities and resources be sure to check out our latest news posts (updated DAILY!) on SMAC's website
|
|
Regional arts calendar
We are continuing to post both in-person and virtual arts events in our region on our website calendar. If you have events to let us know about, please email the details to info@swmnarts.org!
|
|
Memberships
From November 25 to December 22, 2021
Contributors: Helen Pedersen, Marshall • Carol Reuvers, Marshall • AMP (Arts & Mentoring Project), Pipestone • Reggie Gorter, Pipestone •
Supporters: Newberg Sky Spray LLC, Hector • Timothy Krause & Robert Dell, OR • Cheryl Avenvel-Narvara, Worthington •
Sustainer: Joan M. Olson, Canby •
Patron: James and Sydney Massee, Appleton •
|
Other donations: Theresa & Peter Mahoney, California • Kerry Ward, Hutchinson • Jane Otto, Lester Prairie • Lisa Bergh & Andrew Nordin, New London • |
Would you like to become a contributing member of SMAC or make a donation?
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS!
|
2022 SW MN Arts Council BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
Big Stone - Judy Beckman
Lincoln - Mark Wilmes
Meeker - Darlene Kotelnicki
Pipestone - Erica Volkir
Rock - Shawn Kinsinger
|
|
Chippewa - Georgette Jones
Kandiyohi - Cheri Buzzeo
Lyon - Michele Knife Sterner
Murray - Jessica Welu
Redwood - David KelseyBassett
Swift - Alison Nelson
|
|
Cottonwood - Anna Johannsen
Lac qui Parle - Kristine Shelstad
Nobles - Cheryl Avenel-Navara
Yellow Medicine - Betsy Pardick & Michele Huggins
|
|
 |
Executive Director - Nicole DeBoer
|
|
|
|
Grants/Financial Administrator - Caroline Koska
Marketing Coordinator - Krystl Louwagie
|
|
|
|
SW MN Arts Council
The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) is a non-profit organization committed to promoting and encouraging the development of the arts in the eighteen counties of southwestern Minnesota by serving as a source of funds and technical services which enable local organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to sponsor and/or create and promote the arts in their communities.
SMAC receives funding from individuals, businesses, organizations, schools, cities, counties, private foundations including the McKnight Foundation, an allocation from the State of Minnesota, and a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, made possible by the voters of Minnesota.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
