In this issue:
- The next SMAC Arty Party: Chippewa County
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Upcoming Prairie Teen Arts Council Information Session
- Grants Awarded: $41,589 to local organizations and artists
- In the SMAC gallery: Don Sherman
- Minnesota's Giving Holiday: GTMD2021
- SMAC Seeks two Arts Ambassadors
- SMAC to aid communities in City-Artist-In-Residence research program
- SMAC grant updates: Upcoming Q&A session, grant deadlines & webinars
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JOIN US for an “Arty Party” in Chippewa County:
Friday, November 19 from 7 to 8:30 pm!
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YOU are invited to network with artists and arts supporters in the Chippewa County area! This event will take place at Java River in Montevideo.
Raxson Rax (pictured left) will be providing musical entertainment! SMAC will host buffalo dip & spinach dip with crackers and chips from Java River and there will be a cash coffee bar available.
This will be our fourth 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.
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We look forward to p(art)ying with you! |
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Prairie Teen Arts Council Information Session |
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Please join the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council and the Walker Art Center for an open conversation on the Prairie Teen Arts Council (PTAC)!
What: In January 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 June. Interested teens can apply here
Who: This event is for family members, teachers, artists, community members and interested teens to join and learn more about the program.
Contact Simona Zappas (pictured right), Youth and Community Programs Associate, at simona.zappas@walkerart.org, with any additional questions
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SMAC Awards $41,589 to local organizations and artists
The SMAC board met on September 28, 2021 and October 26, 2021 and awarded a total of $41,589 in grant funds to four organizations and three artists within our SW MN region for a total of seven grants awarded.
The following organization was awarded a SMAC Art Project grant on September 28, 2021. Art Project Grants provide organizations in the SMAC region with up to $7,000 in funds to stimulate and encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts.
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Demo Inc. of Svea was awarded $4,515 for arts programming focusing on at-risk youth. Classes, workshops & drop-ins will be offered during the remainder of 2021 through May/June 2022, to at-risk teens and adults that work with youth. The organizers have been connecting with local groups to help them fulfill their mission; BPW (Business and Professional Women) Mentor program, Kandiyohi County Group homes, Prairie Lakes unsecured Youth programs and SEARCH. The applicant said that at this time there is great interest in their offerings but organizations do not have funding for the arts experiences that DEMO Inc. has to offer. This grant should help bridge that gap.
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The following three organizations were awarded SMAC Equipment & Facilities Improvement grants. Equipment & Facilities Improvement Grants provide up to $10,000 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.
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The Lake Benton Opera House was awarded $10,000 for continuing the theatre's transition from older stage lights to new LED lighting. The LED lights save electricity, time, and are also safer for crews to work with.
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The Pipestone Performing Arts Center has been awarded $9,439 to update sound equipment for the theatre. Items include new stage monitors, recording/playback equipment, new microphones and speaker cables, drum microphone kit, inner-ear monitors, and active direct input boxes.
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The Wilder Pageant Committee in Walnut Grove was awarded $10,000 to continue their transition to updating their lighting system by purchasing two more LED moving head light fixtures. The applicant said replacing with these lights reduces setup & takedown time, improves the artistic look of their production and allows for easily adjustable lights for other uses of the stage, like hosting music festivals.
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Cindy Demers of Madison has been awarded a SMAC Quick Support for Artists grant in the amount of $940. 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. Cindy plans to evolve her pointillism style to include multimedia pieces, combining high quality colored pencil with alcohol inks on multi-layered works. She will study with experienced alcohol inks artist Melanie Gabbert-Gatchell of Granite Falls. Cindy plans to produce 8-10 finished works of portraits and still lifes. |
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The following two artists have been awarded SMAC Artist Equity Grants. Artist Equity Grants provide up to $4,000 to aid Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other artists of color with projects that will advance their skills and artistic careers. Pictured left: Painting by Rosa Maria cerda Rodriguez, see grant information below.
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Autumn Cavender-Wilson of Granite Falls was awarded $4,000 to continue with her project "Wowicakekage - Dakota Art Encoded", which she describes as an artistic research project exploring the application of traditional Dakota art and design into digital and virtual spaces. Autumn has experience with beadwork, quillwork, traditional paints and watercolor, and quilting. Last year she was awarded a SMAC Artist Equity grant that allowed her to begin developing her skills as a digital artist; this grant will continue exploration of these digital techniques.
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Rosa Maria cerda Rodriguez of Windom has been awarded $2,695 to work on a painting series featuring portraits. Rosa hopes to portray emotion and narrative through these works. She plans to develop her painting skills and get more exposure in local art fairs and galleries.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES: SMAC Seeks Arts Ambassadors
Two contract positions are now open for arts-engaged community members to serve 6 counties – one Central and one South – in the SMAC 18 county region.
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The role of the SMAC ARTS AMBASSADOR will be to build relationships, connections and networks with groups and communities that SMAC has not been successful in serving or reaching. The job will include 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. This outreach position will have flexible hours and schedule, and includes a monthly stipend + mileage reimbursement.
The Central position covers the counties of: Yellow Medicine, Renville, McLeod, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood
The South position covers the counties of: Pipestone, Murray, Cottonwood, Rock, Nobles, Jackson
More details:
- Independent contractor status with no work comp or benefits
- Contract timeframe from October 1, 2021 – July 1, 2022; with 3-month and 6-month review
- 30-50 hours / month with reporting due by the end of each month (estimated $20/hour) Reported hours include travel time
- Mileage reimbursement
- Total budgeted/month = $1000 per position
- Similar to SMAC Board members, Arts Ambassadors will not be eligible to apply for/receive individual SMAC grants during their contract term
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City-Artist-In-Residence: Attention City & Tribal Governments!
SMAC Funds two cities to work with consultants; seeks third community
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SMAC still has the funds set aside to help a third community go through this process! This is an opportunity for a community interested in exploring the possibilities of having an artist in residence. This experience will explore what it takes from a process and funding perspective to plan, recruit and secure an artist in civic service to their community. The possibilities of how an artist can build community are endless. Interested in hearing more? Please connect with: nicole@swmnarts.org
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In the Gallery: Don Sherman |
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Don Sherman of Ortonville will be exhibiting the SMAC gallery from November 11 through December 17, 2021. Don is a multimedia artist who specializes in paper-making. He received a SMAC Individual Artist grant in 2019 to explore the craft of handmaking paper to grow his art through creation, exhibiting and teaching. If you would like to learn more about Don, you can watch this short artist feature video made by the Meander Art Crawl. |
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Please mark you calendars to join us for an in-person Artist Reception with Don on Thursday, November 11th from 5-7 pm at the SMAC Gallery in Marshall.
A week later, SMAC will host a virtual Third Thursday Artist talk and reception via Zoom on Thursday, November 18th at 5:30 pm. This talk will include a virtual tour of Don's work in our gallery. Please join us:
Meeting ID: 861 7531 9236
Passcode: 032358
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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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About Give to the Max Day
Give to the Max Day was created in 2009 to launch GiveMN, a collaborative venture led by Minnesota Community Foundation and many other organizations committed to helping make our state a better place. That initial spark touched off an outpouring of generosity — $14 million in 24 hours. Since then, Give to the Max Day has become Minnesota’s annual giving holiday, raising nearly $225 million in its first 12 years. Every year, thousands of organizations and individuals generate donations and excitement for Minnesota causes that are working to improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans. Give to the Max Day has become a national model for giving days.
About GiveMN
GiveMN links donors with organizations that are working to make Minnesota a better place. Its online giving website, GiveMN.org, enables charitable giving any time and any place, allowing people to donate with ease and enthusiasm. GiveMN is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Explore GiveMN.org today to see how they can help your organization fundraise!
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Plan to join in with thousands of Minnesota nonprofits as we raise funds together for the organizations which make our communities stronger. Please consider donating to SMAC, as well as showing your support to other arts organizations in our region. |
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TODAY is a great day to give!
The Giving Holiday is scheduled for Thursday, November 18, but you don’t have to wait to support the causes that mean the most to you. Early Giving begins November 1, so search GiveMN.org for your favorite nonprofits and schools and make a gift today! As a bonus, GiveMN, with their sponsors, award extra prizes for randomly selected gifts between November 1 and 18; that means your donation could grow a heck of a lot bigger for the organizations that mean so much to you! Learn more about prizes
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SMAC staff and board members took part in a 2-day learning session with High Impact Training titled "Understanding and Dismantling Racism: An Introduction to Antiracism". This training was facilitated by Debra Leigh and R. James Addington. Members explored the impacts of racism in relation to the arts in Southwest Minnesota and how to view our organization through an anti-racist lens; particularly in relation to our organization serving as a source of funds and technical services for our communities artists and organizations.
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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, Lac qui Parle 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.
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Provides organizations in the SMAC region with up to $20,000 to stimulate and encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts through large-scale projects that will leave an arts legacy in Southwest Minnesota. No cash match required this year. **Watch recorded September 2021 webinar**
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Join us on Zoom for a virtual Grants Questions & Answers Sessions to get questions answered about any of our grant programs. Upcoming dates: |
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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 November 9th.
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 September 28 to October 29 2021
Contributors: Gregory & Anne Isaackson, Cottonwood • Kathleen Marihart, Madison • Loralee A. Miller, Minneota •
Supporters: Anonymous Donor • Dassel Area Historical Society, Dassel • Bill & Sue Krinke, Echo • Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, Marshall • Randy & Sima Wewetzer, Marshall • Brent Olson, Ortonville • Cheryl Hanson, Windom •
Sustainers: Ruth Hamlow, Hutchinson •
Patron: Beth Habicht, Worthington •
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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 - Janine Teske
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
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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