Northern Arts News
Dec 2020 - Jan 2021
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R2AC will be closed for
the holidays
The Region 2 Arts Council will be closed for the holidays from December 24, 2020 – January 1, 2021. During that time staff will not be checking emails or phone messages. We will be back to work on January 4, 2021.
Given current COVID restrictions, our plan is to open our office doors Wednesday through Friday beginning January 13, 2021. Please check our website (r2arts.org) or call our office to confirm staffing and office status prior to visiting as we will continue staff rotation until further notice.
If you have questions while we are closed, please feel free to email us (staff@r2arts.org) or leave a phone message (218-751-5447 or 800-275-5447) and we will contact you when we return to work the week of January 4th.
We wish you all safe and happy holidays with hope for better days to come in the new year!
Below is direct contact for individual staff:
STAY CONNECTED WITH R2AC!
218-751-5447 / 800-275-5447
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Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Grant
Deadline: January 15, 2021 by 11:45 pm
Maximum Award: $1,000
Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Grants are open to Native American artists in all arts disciplines residing in the following counties: Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, or Roseau.
This grant offers funding for costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of a creative work, purchase of materials or equipment to create works of art, educational opportunities in the arts (excluding academic credit), and proposals for projects or opportunities to enhance the career of an individual artist.
Eligible proposals must be adaptive to restrictions that exist during the current global pandemic.
NOTE: You can download a paper grant application online, or if you'd like us to mail one to you, please contact us with your address. We'll send you an application when we return on January 4th.
OR
then send to:
Region 2 Arts Council
P.O. Box 693
Bemidji MN 56619
AAI Grant
Information Session
via Zoom
Monday, January 4
6:00 p.m.
(Registration is required)
NOTE: Session can be accessed by computer or phone. You will receive details once you register. New to Zoom? Let us know how we can help!
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Resources for Your
Artistic Career
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WORK OF ART:
BUSINESS SKILLS FOR ARTISTS SERIES CONTINUES!
Workshops are available exclusively to artists and creative entrepreneurs in the Lakes Region Arts Council and Region 2 Arts Council service areas: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin, Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen counties.
Workshops are held via Zoom and participation via computer is recommended; however, joining the workshop by phone is also an option if internet or computer access is a barrier. All workshops include closed captioning services.
Register for the workshops that feel most relevant to your needs!
If internet or computer access is a significant barrier to participation, contact Springboard for the Arts
at (218) 998-4037 for support.
Upcoming Workshop Schedule:
(All run 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
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Pricing – Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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Recordkeeping – Wednesday, January 27, 2021
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Legal Considerations – Wednesday, February 10, 2021
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Funding – Wednesday, February 24, 2021
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Grantwriting – Wednesday, March 10, 2021
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Business Plan Essentials – Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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Engaging Customers and Selling Your Work – Wednesday, April 7, 2021
The NEW AND UPDATED TOOLKIT, upon which the workshops are based, can be downloaded for free from Springboard for the Arts HERE
Funding for this series is made possible by the voters of Minnesota, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and support of the West Central Initiative Fund.
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Honoring Region 2 recipients of MSAB Grants |
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As some of you know, this past summer the Minnesota State Arts Board made changes to its grant programs with attention to greater accessibility for artists and organizations across the whole state. We'd like to take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge the many Region 2 area artists and organizations who were awarded, as well as give a special shout-out to AAI Council member Paula Littlewolf and R2AC Board member Shannon Lucas-Westrum who are among the awarded artists. Congratulations to All!
FY 2021 MSAB
CREATIVE SUPPORT GRANTS FOR INDIVIDUALS
Recipients from Region 2:
Cate Belleveau of Puposky was awarded $6,000 to present a one-person show based on The Year of Magical Thinking exploring loss and grieving.
Alice Blessing of Bemidji was awarded $5,773 to present a free painting workshop, relaunch a website, and develop a social media presence.
Dee Croaker of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to work toward building online access to her artwork through social media. She will provide a close-up look at her process, knowledge, and experiences.
Annette Drewes of Bemidji was awarded $4,869 to develop an online presence for her nature writing and for her upcoming book on wild rice. Woven into our state's history, natural wild rice, an aquatic grass that fills our bellies and feeds our souls, is threatened by anonymity.
Duane L. Goodwin of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to provide apprentices an in person arts learning experience from his home studio and gallery. Presentation and work shows will also be scheduled.
Joseph Holt of Bemidji was awarded $5,900 to complete the transition from reaching his audience live to reaching them through video and permanently add video to his artistic delivery.
Paula J Littlewolf of Mahnomen was awarded $6,000 to create a series of twelve large paintings depicting the twelve months using the Ojibwe names and symbols for each month.
Shannon J Lucas Westrum of Bemidji was awarded $5,996 to combine video and live feed social media to create a four-month long virtual basketry and fiber arts exhibition titled All in a Day's Work.
Jennifer L Olson of Bemidji was awarded $3,000 to partner with Ana Maria Otamendi to connect the greater Minnesota community with classical art song by publishing a recorded album of Latin American composers in CD and digital platforms.
Mary Therese of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to engage members of group homes and nursing facilities in drawing their visions, hopes and dreams. These pieces will be incorporated into a community collage and serve as inspiration to the artist in the painting of a public mural.
Miriam E Weber of Bemidji was awarded $4,000 to perform and record recent and commissioned chamber music by women composers as part of a larger project aimed at supporting emerging women composers.
Chuck Weygand of Akeley was awarded $6,000 to make and exhibit wooden bowls that reflect his rural Minnesota roots. He will use sustainable resources and draw on experiences of many generations to engage people of outstate Minnesota in this rustic art via in person and virtual art shows.
FY 2021 MSAB
CREATIVE SUPPORT GRANTS FOR
ORGANIZATIONS
Recipients from Region 2:
Bagley Area Arts Collaborative in Bagley was awarded $6,000 to create a virtual classroom to deliver arts programming to the residents of our region in a safe, creative manner.
Bemidji Community Theater in Bemidji was awarded $14,452 to develop plans to safely deliver theater programming and education via online platforms.
Bemidji Symphony Orchestra in Bemidji was awarded $15,000 to develop plans to safely perform live concerts for smaller audiences and will livestream performances to serve audiences remotely.
Headwaters Music & Arts in Bemidji was awarded $14,650 to develop plans to safely deliver high quality music education and art experiences to youth and adults in Beltrami and Cass counties.
Manidoo Ogitigaan in Bemidji was awarded $15,000 to continue its work to connect Minnesotans with Ojibwe artists and storytellers, while increasing appreciation of indigenous art for generations to come in order to bridge the gap between Native and nonNative community members.
Mask and Rose Theater in Puposky was awarded $14,988 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage with Women in the Year of the Centennial.
Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids was awarded $15,000 to continue building its remote programming, which aims to provide top notch arts access to a socially diverse, rural community.
Northern Light Opera Company in Park Rapids was awarded $15,000 to present its 20th summer musical.
Paul Bunyan Playhouse in Bemidji was awarded $15,000 to work with local art tech professionals to stream high quality performances featuring local artists to homes throughout Bemidji and greater Minnesota.
Watermark Art Center in Bemidji was awarded $15,000 to develop educational plans to provide art materials and experiences for its northern Minnesota community during these transitional times.
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2020-2021
Region 2 Arts Council Board
Executive Committee Members
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
one vacancy - Mahnomen County
one vacancy - Lake of the Woods
two vacancies - Hubbard County
Next R2AC Board Meeting:
January 19 (Tuesday) – time TBD
Business Meeting (Biennial Planning) and Arts Learning Grant Review
Please contact us for details if you would like to attend any of our meetings.
Advocate for the Arts
in your Community!
Current Openings:
1 Mahnomen County
1 Lake of the Woods County
2 Hubbard County
Join our dynamic Board of Directors comprised of artists and arts appreciators working hard to make arts funding equitable and accessible to all.
No prior board experience necessary. Your voice is valued!
Terms end in June 2022.
All meetings are currently conducted via Zoom.
Learn more about this opportunity HERE.
Please contact laura@r2arts.org if you have any questions or would like more information regarding this opportunity.
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Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Advisory Council
Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors works alongside the AAI Advisory Council to promote and support the AAI program. The AAI Council is comprised of Native American artists and arts appreciators from the regions served by the AAI program, which include the counties of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, and Roseau.
The AAI Council reviews all applications within the AAI program. They also offer support and guidance to improve and strengthen the needs of Anishinaabe artists served by Region 2 Arts Council.
AAI Council Members
Delana Smith (Red Lake Band) … Red Lake
Genny Lowry (Leech Lake Band) …Bemidji
Bernice Mitchell-Diver (Leech Lake Band) … Cass Lake
Debra Warren (White Earth Band) … Bemidji
Mary Ringhand (Red Lake Band) … Ponemah
David B. White (Fort Peck) … Ponemah
Larry Vanwert (Red Lake Band) … Redby
Kent Estey (White Earth Band) ... Naytahwaush
Paula Littlewolf (White Earth Band) ... Mahnomen
The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) program is made possible through support from Region 2 Arts Council and with funding from the McKnight Foundation
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We regret that we experienced technical difficulties during the live feature of this ReZume Arts segment, originally planned for November 23.
The recording of this segment was recovered and we invite you to join us to close this program by viewing the pre-recorded session with us as a final segment of ReZume Arts.
Please join us
Wednesday, December 23
1:00 P.M.
Final Event!
View our conversation with artists Kelly Schultz and Shannon-Lucas Westrum to get an inside view on hat-making, ways in which you can engage with Shannon's creations, and to learn more about the creative process of these two talented artists.
LISTEN - ENGAGE - DISCOVER
Shop for unique gifts this holiday season or any time by
purchasing directly from local artists!
Contact and artist information for ALL showcased artists is on our ReZume Arts page
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ReZume Arts events showcase an incredible range of artists we have within the Region 2 Arts Council service area
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Region 2 Arts Council staff are available
Monday through Friday, except during our holiday break
Contact us via email, Facebook messenger, or phone.
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FY22 Operating Support Grant Program
for Organizations
Application Deadline: January 22, 2021
Minimum Award: $15,000
Operating Support provides general support to high quality, established arts organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art; to organizations that provide a broad range of services to artists; and to community arts schools and conservatories that make arts learning available to Minnesotans of all ages and abilities
Eligible Organizations must have two-year qualifying expenses, averaged over fiscal years 2018 and 2019, of $174,000 or more.
Applicants must also be structured in one of two ways:
- A non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt arts organization with an arts focused mission; or
- An arts affiliate, operating as a distinct arts focused program hosted within a Minnesota public or non-profit 501(c)(3) nonarts institution
AND must be one of the following:
- An arts producing organization
- An arts presenting organization
- A community arts school or conservatory
- An artist service organization
For questions please contact program officer:
Richard Hitchler
Phone: (651) 539-2653, toll-free (800) 866-2787
The Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency that stimulates and encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state. It works to ensure that all Minnesotans can participate in and benefit from the arts.
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Given current state restrictions, we invite you to stay connected directly with local non-profits and artists for up-to-date program and arts opportunities. Sign up for newsletters, and check the web and social media sites of your favorite organizations and artists for the most updated and accurate information as they continue to offer COVID-related creative programming.
Are you on Facebook? If so, be sure to like our staff page - staff regiontwoarts - where we share all that we know is relevant to artists and arts enthusiasts. It is a great way to stay informed!
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Participate in Community-Based
Arts Projects!
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Invitation: Postcard Exchange 2020
Deadline: Dec 31
This postcard exchange project began on January 1st of this year and continues through December 31st with the goal of creating connections and an abstract record of the year.
The project will later exhibit as an art show and be published as a book.
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Collaborative art stitching project
Deadline: rolling
Artist Heather Schulte invites you to participate in her project, “Stitching the Situation,” a daily witness and memorial to the COVID-19 pandemic in America.
There is no cost to participate, other than providing thread to fill in the stitches
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Work of Art+: Artists Collaborating with Community
January 9,2021
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
via Zoom
Use your creative skills to address community issues and opportunities! Whether you are an artist who already works in the community or who wants to start, this workshop will introduce you to methods to clarify your own goals, techniques to ensure successful outcomes for you and your community collaborators, and how to reach out to community organizations and businesses to expand your artistic practice and income sources.
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Virtual Legal Clinic for Creatives
January 11,2021
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom
Register for a free 30-minute session with an attorney to have your questions about business organization, contracts, and copyright and trademark infringement answered.
All appointments will be conducted one-on-one via Zoom with an attorney from the Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts program of Springboard for the Arts.
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Community Innovation Grants
Open Year-Round
Up to $200,000
Community Innovation grants are meant to be transformation capital. They are an investment in an equitable future where every person has the opportunities and the support they need to thrive.
The Bush Foundation provides Community Innovation grants of $10,000 to $200,000. Grants under $20,000 are available from our intermediary partner organizations.
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Toolkit on creative alternatives to in-person arts-based activities, for artists and administrators
Artists and communities need the transformational power of creativity now more than ever. Forecast recognizes the economic crises facing artists during this pandemic and we want to provide guidance on how to keep arts projects active and moving forward, even as we physically isolate.
In response, we created a toolkit with artists, arts organizations, presenting organizations, and others collaborating with artists in mind.
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Artist Opportunities
This page offers information on artist opportunities for public art. Organized by region, it includes Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), grants, other calls for entry, as well as employment, fellowship, workshop, conference, and volunteer opportunities. Our best practice is to post Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for artists/artworks, rather than Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
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Annual Call for Submissions
Submission Deadline: February 1, 2021
Artists interested in having a sculpture displayed in downtown Bemidji for one year starting in May 2021 can access the competition entry form at: bemidjisculpture.com
Artists selected will be given a $500 honorarium for completion and installation of their work. Most sculptures will be offered for sale to the public and local businesses. Artists may submit up to two separate works. Each work must be submitted individually. There is no cost for submission.
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Call for Artists Continues:
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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Region 2 Arts Council celebrates the growth of artists! |
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Nedahness Rose Greene
Current R2AC/Five Wings AAI Fellow
From the Watermark Art Center:
Mashkawiziiwag - "They Are Strong" (pronunciation available on exhibit web page), features the work of Ne-Dah-Ness Rose Greene, an emerging BIPOC photography artist from the Leech Lake Reservation. Her powerful images reveal the unscripted poetry of our human world.
Going to places where people gather, she is a seeker of truth found in the emotions of those she photographs. Her portraits reveal the complexities of the human spirit and celebrate the strength of our survival. In her work we see the pride of ancestors and a future we hope for. Her view of the world is a gift in these complicated times. Watermark Art Center is honored to share her vision of a meaningful world.
"Mashkawiziiwag" Exhibit is currently available online to view as a virtual exhibit.
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