In this issue:
- Grants Awarded: $118,503 to local organizations, schools, and artists
- SMAC Announces new Arts Ambassador
- Retiring Board Member: Anne O'Keefe-Jackson
- SMAC grant updates: Upcoming Q&A session, grant deadlines & webinars
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SMAC Awards $118,503 to local organizations, schools and artists
The SMAC board met on November 23, 2021 and awarded a total of $118,503 in grant funds to eleven organizations, three schools, and two artists within our SW MN region for a total of sixteen grants awarded.
The following eleven organizations have been awarded SMAC Operating Support grants. Operating Support Grants are two-year grants for arts organizations with a current 501(c)(3) and at least two years of programming and financials, to be used for operating expenses.
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The following three schools have been awarded SMAC Arts in the Schools Grants. Arts in the Schools Grants provide funds to advance arts education in schools in the SMAC region through artist/teacher/community partnerships and to support the arts as essential to education and daily life. Activities supported by these grants include: Artist residencies or field trips that include educator training and community involvement, juried student art exhibits, and prepackaged theater experiences. Up to $2,500 (field trips, juried exhibits, or prepackaged theater) or $4,000 (residencies).
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Bert Raney Elementary in Granite Falls was awarded $2,447 for a week-long artist residency with Ross Sutter, where students will build and learn to play their own one-stringed dulcimer. This artist residency will be shared with Lakeview Public schools, listed below. At the end of the week, students from both elementary schools will share their learnings with each other virtually (due to COVID-19 precautions, they will not be meeting in person together).
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Lakeview Public School in Cottonwood has been awarded $2,696 for the above mentioned residency with Ross Sutter. The projects will be essentially the same in both schools, with the schools splitting the cost of travel for Ross to visit.
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Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Music Department in Marshall was awarded $4,000 for an artist residency with New York based jazz drummer, Allison Miller. The residency will include four hours of rehearsal time and two performances with the SMSU Jazz Ensemble. It will also include clinics with a few local high school bands (with performances at those schools in the evening). The community is invited to attend performances free of charge (they may also attend the rehearsals and clinics upon request).
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The following two artists have been awarded SMAC Quick Support for Artists grants. 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. |
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Carol Diaz of Ortonville was awarded $997. Carol is a member of the Blackfeet Nation who creates beaded scenes with historical Native American cultural and spiritual themes. She shared that the pieces she creates are "indicative of Native American spirituality or life style and customs as shown in each piece that is meant to teach and educate others of our ways of life." Her work is based on these themes, yet executed in a modern fashion; Carol has developed a style of beading that is unique and all her own. Funds will go towards art supplies. Pictured: "The Arrival,” original beaded scene of a mother and father heading home traveling on a travois, mother swaddling a child. Carol says the three large feathers represent trees and the eagle feathers are used to create the spirituality of the sacredness of life.
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Miles Taylor of Woodlake has been awarded $1,000 to support a performance and short film he calls "Bound Space". This is a live art show and installation, curated by Miles Taylor/FNK, and it focuses on showcasing the work of artists that work with projectors, lighting, and sound design in Minnesota. Miles plans to host this event with the Bluenose Gopher Public House and the Granite Area Arts Council. Featured musicians and video artists from Minneapolis will be introduced to the Granite Falls community to perform in town after a small artist residency with artist Malion/Clinton Kundardt at Prairie Fyre farm in Wood Lake. During the residency, Miles will collaborate with Clinton on a new piece of original music to accompany the video performance to be shared at the Bluenose Gopher. Following the performance Miles and collaborators will release a short film on their website and produce video VHS copies and stills from the video.
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In the Gallery: Don Sherman |
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In the Gallery: Don Sherman |
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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. Please watch our social media channels and website for the details of the opening reception and virtual reception! |
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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.
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SMAC welcomes new Arts Ambassador |
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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.
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Please help us welcome Dani Prados of Granite Falls as SMAC's Central Arts Ambassador! This position covers the counties of: Yellow Medicine, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Renville, and McLeod. Many of you may recognize Dani as the recent City Artist in Residence for Granite Falls! Even though that position has wrapped up, she has decided to continue to live in our community. We look forward to the relationships Dani will build for us and with us!
A bit more about Dani: Self-described as a community artist and storyteller, Dani was born in Washington DC to A Puerto-Rican transplant and the youngest child of Austrian Holocaust refugees. Dani says she was originally destined to be a marine biologist. Instead she fell enthralled to the transformative power of story and has designed, directed, devised, constructed, and produced live performance, narrative and experimental film, shared experiences, themed festivals, visual exhibits, bio-art hybrids, multi-sensory installations, collaborations and interactive transmedia for almost two decades around the globe. The pulsing heart of her work is an evolving quest seeding empathy in community healing and social action. Dani said, "I believe in observing before speaking, that words and energy have power, and that everyone has a story to tell, if you take the time to listen and are brave enough to ask."
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In November a member of SMAC staff attended the virtual Overcoming Racism Conference through the MORE Network of Marshall. The MORE Network was glad to partner with FREC (Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative) to host a satellite location of the statewide Overcoming Racism conference. At the satellite conference, resources from the larger statewide conference were shared, such as the keynote presentation and documentary presentation. The afternoon sessions featured members of our community talking about issues relevant to our particular area of the state.
Because of FREC's support, the MORE Network was able to offer free participation in this conference experience. Keep an eye out for the Overcoming Racism 2022 conference next November! Recordings of this year's conference are available here: Presentation Recordings
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SMAC Renville Board Representative Retires |
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Please join SMAC in a heartful THANK YOU to retiring board member from Renville County, Anne O'Keefe-Jackson! Anne was elected to a 3-year term in 2015, and re-elected for her second 3-year term in 2018, which means she served the maximum number of terms she can with our board. Anne also served as SMAC's board president for some time. She is the Human Resources Director at Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton. Anne is from the Lower Sioux Community and is skilled in beading and quill work. Her art background also includes an Art History minor from Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
SMAC, as an organization and as a board, has grown so much under Anne's thoughtful suggestions and input and we are so proud of the dedication she's shown to the arts and our communities during her time with us. We know she will keep doing great things!
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Pictured: Current and past SMAC Board in attendance at the 2021 Annual Celebration in Jackson, MN. |
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SMAC is seeking representatives from Jackson County and McLeod County to serve on it’s Board of Directors!
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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**
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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**
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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
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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!
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Meeting ID: 982 8089 0625
Passcode: 433868
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Upcoming SMAC Grantwriting Webinars: December
Please let us know of any accommodations needed for you to attend any of our events, virtual or in-person: info@swmnarts.org.
December 7, Noon-1 pm: Quick Support for Organizations Grants Webinar
December 15, 5:30-6:30 pm: Arts in the Schools Grants Webinar
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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 December 14th.
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.
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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
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For more opportunities and resources be sure to check out our latest news posts (updated DAILY!) on SMAC's website
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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!
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Memberships
From October 30 to November 24, 2021
Contributors: Kathleen Anderson, Granite Falls • Darlene Kotelnicki, Litchfield • Lac qui Parle Study Club, Madison • Linda Wing, Slayton •
Supporters: Karen Odden, Granite Falls • Anne O'Keefe Jackson, Morton • Jessica Welu, Slayton • Bill & Tina Richards, Walnut Grove •
Patron: Charles Freiss & Cathy Schlagel, Marshall •
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Other donations: Elizabeth McAfee, Apple Valley • Luanne Fondell, Dawson • Michael Van Kulen, Ghent • Andrea Fox Jensen, Litchfield • Darlene Kotelnicki, Litchfield • Ross Anderson, Marshall • Kate Borowske, Marshall • Cassandra Bruns, Marshall • Marilyn Leach, Marshall • Deb & Craig Maki, Marshall • Julie Walker, Marshall • Anne O'Keefe Jackson, Morton • John White, Ortonville • Carol Schaefer of Paynesville, in dedication to Merlin Cadwell • Jessica Welu, Slayton • |
Would you like to become a contributing member of SMAC or make a donation?
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS!
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2021 SW MN Arts Council BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Big Stone - Judy Beckman & Kathleen Marihart
Lincoln - Mark Wilmes
Meeker - Darlene Kotelnicki
Pipestone - Erica Volkir
Rock - Shawn Kinsinger
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Chippewa - Georgette Jones
Kandiyohi - Cheri Buzzeo
Lyon - Michele Knife Sterner
Murray - Jessica Welu
Redwood - David KelseyBassett
Swift - Alison Nelson
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Cottonwood - Anna Johannsen
Lac qui Parle - Kristine Shelstad
Nobles - Cheryl Avenel-Navara
Renville-Anne O'Keefe-Jackson
Yellow Medicine-Betsy Pardick & Michele Huggins
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Executive Director - Nicole DeBoer
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Grants/Financial Administrator - Caroline Koska
Marketing Coordinator - Krystl Louwagie
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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.
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