- SMAC Awards $103,221 to local organizations & artist
- Celebrate Black History Month
- New job opportunity; work with SMAC!
- SMAC welcomes new Lyon County Board Representative & seeks board members from 4 other counties
- Save the Dates: Arts Action Week
- Nobles & Pipestone County Arty Parties
- Upcoming Grant Opportunity: Art Study for Youth Grant Program
- Other upcoming SMAC Grant Deadlines & Webinars
Pictured: Horse regalia for display by artist Dory Stands, who received a SMAC Artist Equity grant last year. These grants have a monthly deadline! Click on the blue link above to find out more.
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SMAC Awards $103,221 to local organizations and artist
The SMAC board voted on January 28 to award $102,285 in grant funds to thirteen organizations and $936 to one individual artist
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The following two organizations were awarded SMAC Art Legacy Project grants. These grants provide 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.
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The City of Madison was awarded $19,430 to add a mural to their new park on main street called Grand Park. The Park includes outdoor musical instruments, outdoor exercise equipment, adult and child-sized bikes to use, seating areas and landscaping with trees, boulders, pollinators, prairie plants and sod. The sidewalk winds through the park connecting everything. The proposed mural design by Jacqui Rosenbush reflects the intergenerational theme of the space, with its whimsical nature and also takes the viewer down a winding river path across the span of the wall. Members of the community will be invited to help paint the panels for the mural.
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The Department of Public Transformation in Granite Falls was awarded $20,000 for their "Art of Neighboring" event series, including 16 community arts events held from May 2023 through April 2024. These events will provide residents with opportunities to learn from other cultures; explore diverse points of view; dabble in new creative skills; experience high-quality arts, culture, and storytelling; and connect with each other. Activities will take place at The YES! House in Granite Falls and other locations around the Granite Falls area as needed.
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The following eleven organizations have been awarded SMAC Art Project grants. These grants provide organizations in the SMAC region with up to $7,000 in matching funds to stimulate and encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts.
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The Canby Area Arts Council was awarded $5,119 for their "Connect & Create" 2023 classes and workshops. Classes will include: "Play with Clay" intro to hand-building pottery, Intro to the Pottery Wheel, Advanced Functional Wheel-Thrown pottery, Plein Air Painting, and several Intro to Watercolor Painting classes (separate classes for elders in long term care, elders in independent assisted living, for youths, and for adults).
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The Tracy Public Library has been awarded $4,500 for a "Crafternoon" program series, which started as a partnership in 2022 with Every Citizen Counts Organization Development Achievement Center (ECCO DAC), a day program for adults with developmental disabilities. The Crafternoon program was specifically created and designed to provide an opportunity for ECCO clients to integrate into the community, while learning about and creating art. A new art project is featured each month, and there are 10 participants per class. Five spots are reserved for ECCO clients, and the remainder are open to the community. With SMAC funds, the library can continue the series through 2023 at no cost to participants. They are working with artist Sammy Jo Miller.
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The Worthington International Festival was awarded $6,000 for their 2023 festival, taking place July 13-15, 2023. The Festival's components include Thursday evening immigrant stories and panel discussion, folk and traditional artist performances, food vendors, artisan booths, ethnic cultural education booths, and activities for children. The festival seeks to include as many different folk and traditional artists as possible, focusing on showcasing culturally authentic, well-qualified Minnesota based artists who represent various areas of the world.
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The Friends of the Edgerton Library were awarded $3,475 to bring in a pre-packaged youth theatre program from Missoula Children's Theater. The production they'll be doing is "Betty Lou and the Country Beast", and they will have two performances in early July. Through this experience they hope to provide an opportunity for rural area youth to develop theater production skills and experience.
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The Minnesota Pottery Festival of Hutchinson have been awarded $7,000 for their 2023 festival, which marks their eleventh year. The festival will take place this July 2023, Saturday the 29th from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday the 30th from 11 am to 4 pm at the Masonic West River Park. The applicant said that in 2023 they are expecting to expand the festival to host between 35-40 potters from across the country. Funds will go towards the festival reaching new and diverse audiences to broaden the reach and impact of the festival.
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The RiverSong Music Festival of Hutchison was awarded $4,856 for their 2023 festival. RiverSong is a two-day music festival that takes place at Masonic West River Park. It brings people together to enjoy live music outdoors. The applicant said, "world-renowned artists have thrilled crowds from the RiverSong stages since 2009. The festival has also presented developing and local artists, with an overall festival focus of showcasing Minnesota musicians." Festival will take place July 14-15, 2023.
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The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO) has been awarded $6,920 for a musical project exploring the idea of "North". SMO will perform several live orchestral concerts: in Marshall at the Schwan Community Center for Performing Arts, "Liederabend" at the Southwest Minnesota State University Campus Religious Center, and "From Iceland to Minneota" in Minneota Public School outreach with additional performance at the Minneota Public Library or Opera House. The applicant said these performances will have a "dedicated geographic and cultural agenda exploring our Northern climate, our Northern heritage and celebrating one of our most beloved cultural figures—Bill Holm."
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Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) of Marshall was awarded $7,000 to support artist performances at this year's WorldFest event, which is in it's second year. WorldFest is a community-orientated celebration of local cultures and diversity, with an intentional focus on including those cultures that are not as well represented. Highlighting the impact of those cultures and diversity on our way of life, this event includes cultural performances, food vendors, artists, and informational booths that represent the wide variety of ethnic traditions represented in our region and on the SMSU campus. The applicant said, "WorldFest brings together the wider Marshall community, and the Southwest Minnesota region as a whole, to participate in this amazing celebration of our diverse origins".
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The City of Sunburg has been awarded $6,835 to support their Community Fiddling project. This project will provide better instruction for community fiddlers who are new to the craft, after previous efforts to engage more community members in this tradition. The project also supports developing guitar and piano accompaniment skills. Funds will go towards paying instructors, tuners, music repair, and music supplies. Multiple workshops for fiddlers will be arranged for group performances during Syttende Mai in May, their day-long community event attended by hundreds of people. There will also be a Christmas Fiddle Program with workshops preceding the program. Other performances/rehearsals are planned for various community events like the Norway Lake Township Annual picnic, the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association Anniversary Weekend and the Lone Oak Ag annual Tractor Ride.
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The Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra was awarded $4,150 to support multiple concerts and the videotaping of the concerts. Videos will be presented to area care centers free of charge. On Friday, March 17 the Willmar Symphony will present a free concert for area 4th grade students. Schools will only need to provide transportation. The full version of this concert, "The River", will be on March 19, held at the Willmar Education & Arts Center. The second major concert will be the Young Artists Concert on May 21 at the same location, and will feature a talented young artist from their Young Artist Competition as the previous years have done. The applicant said, "It is important that young musicians are given the opportunity to be recognized locally. There are other competitions in other parts of the state, but our Young Artists Competition give students in our area the unique chance to perform with a live orchestra in front of their community. It is also inspiring for the beginner students to see young people on the stage at our concerts".
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The Worthington Area Symphonic Orchestra has been awarded $7,000 for their 2023 spring concert. In celebration of WASO's 13th season, the theme for this project will be GLORIA! Three major works written by prominent composers from the Romantic and Contemporary music history eras will be featured on this program and performed at the Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center in Worthington. The applicant said, "Well known repertoire by Edward Elgar, Felix Mendelssohn and Francis Poulenc will be performed and be the very first time for WASO musicians to explore, discover, study and experience masterpieces by these particular composers....Poulenc's Gloria promises to be a fresh and exciting new experience as our community orchestra combines with community choir members plus a leading soprano soloist to present one of Poulenc's most celebrated works - Gloria!"
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The following artist was awarded a SMAC Quick Support for Artists grants. These grants provide artists with up to $1,000 for activities such as purchasing supplies, attending classes, and small artist-led community projects. |
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Kirsten Brichler of Marshall has been awarded $936 for a project she calls "Wildlife in Wool". The project will focus on showing the diversity of life in Minnesota in needle felted 3D sculptures and needle felted 2D paintings. Kirsten said her vision is "for this work to showcase the beauty of life forms around Minnesota, ranging from commonly known and beloved organisms to those that may be smaller, plainer, and less known (but no less beautiful)". Pictured, Galaxy Snail by Kirsten Brichler.
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February is Black History Month! Black History Month commemorates the achievements of African-Americans in the history of the United States. Southwest Minnesota Arts Council celebrates with you. We extend an invitation for self-education on Black history this month, in whatever form that means for you. From reading non-fiction, watching a documentary or actively exploring music, poetry, or culinary traditions, there are many opportunities to learn more!
If you are an artist of color in our region, you may be interested in SMAC's Artist Equity grants that have a monthly deadline. These grants aid Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color with projects that will advance their skills and artistic career. |
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SMAC Seeks Communications Assistant
JOB DESCRIPTION
Reports to: Executive Director
Part-time (15-20 hours/week estimated)
Mostly remote work (80-90% remote): some technology provided
Pay range based on experience & skills: $16.00-18.50/hour
Position does not qualify for benefits
Responsibilities and Highlighted Duties:
Communications:
- Assist with creating & distributing social media content and other news releases
- Maintain arts event calendar and area gallery listings on website
- Update SMAC website and all social media channels as requested
- Maintain contacts and user lists in Constant Contact
Events & Hospitality:
- Assist with scheduling and event details including:
- Coordinate venue research & rental contracts, catering contracts, supplies, technology, presenter accommodations, hotel reservations and any other needs in support of the organization’s events
- Coordinate artists / arts groups to perform or participate in meetings & events
- Engage individuals with expertise in specific arts disciplines to present/teach
Assist staff as needed/other duties as assigned.
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Please send information, for example a letter of interest and/or resume, to info@swmnarts.org by Friday, February 24th.
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Upcoming Grant Opportunity: Art Study for Youth Grant Program |
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For the past five years, SMAC has only had the funding available to award 8 grants in our Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grant program but because of your support during our special fundraising campaign this year, we are able to provide at least 12! Pictured: Pottery by Ketcie Ulferts after receiving an Art Study Opportunity for Youth grant last year.
What are our Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grants? These grants provide up to $500 to allow young artists entering grades 5 – 12 to attend an enrichment camp or specialty study. Costs for standard weekly lessons (such as piano or voice lessons) are allowed for students who qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program.
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Please help us spread the word about this awesome opportunity!
Do you know students entering the 5-12 grade that have a special interest in art?
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Thank you for supporting the arts! |
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SMAC gives a sincere thank you to the SW Initiative Foundation for providing free coaching & consultation to SMAC Staff and Board to carry out our fundraising campaign by RaiseMN, a subset of GiveMN. SMAC encourages MN non-profits to look into each of these opportunities and what resources they may have for you. Remember, SMAC Quick Support for Organizations grants support arts organizations with strategic planning or board training, which could be applied to working with RaiseMN on fundraising strategies.
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Help SMAC welcome new Lyon County Board Representative, Dr. Erin Kline! |
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Dr. Erin Kline of Marshall holds a doctorate in Sociology with a specialization in race, class and gender intersections. She works at Southwest Minnesota State University as the associate director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Mustang Pathway program, as well as adjuncts in sociology. When asked why she was interested in serving on the SMAC board, she said, "I benefited so much from my participation in the arts that I would love to be able to continue to support the arts in a more direct way, and I believe this is possible from a position on the SMAC board. In addition, I strongly believe that valuing the arts begins at a young age. My children all demonstrate different talents and interests in the arts, and I want to help to insure and promote art on a wider scale because without art we begin to lose our ability to identify our shared humanity. This is crucial if we ever hope to attain a more peaceful world." We're so excited to have you on our board, Dr. Kline!
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SMAC is still seeking representatives from four counties to serve on our board of directors: Kandiyohi, McLeod, Swift and Yellow Medicine
Do you live or work in one of these counties? Do you want to volunteer in a meaning way? Are you interested in helping your community? Are you passionate about arts awareness & funding and where & how those funds are distributed?
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SMAC's Board of Directors currently has four vacant board seats. We are seeking a representative from each of the counties listed above to serve. The Board meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday evening at the SMAC office in Marshall or on Zoom to set policies, make final decisions on grant awards with input from grant review panels, share ideas and information from their representative counties, and to design programs that enable SMAC to best serve our communities.
Other opportunities include serving on several grant panels a year to evaluate applications, attending a yearly board retreat in January, learning opportunities and trainings on Access, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity and more!
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In the Gallery: Laura Deleski, "Life is a Story" |
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Our current gallery artist is Laura Deleski of Willmar! Laura will be exhibiting through February 24th, 2023. Our gallery is open for viewing M-F 9 am to 12 pm and 1 to 4 pm. If these times do not work for you, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate a private viewing. |
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Laura Deleski lives in Willmar and works with her husband Stephen at West Central Printing, where she does much of the layout and print design work for their customers. When Laura isn’t working, she loves to express her creative interests through various mediums. She has no formal art training, but enjoyed junior high art classes and studied some photography in high school and college.
She received her first SMAC Individual Emerging Artist Grant in 2021 to create an original piece which merged both quilting and genealogy together into one finished genealogy quilt titled “Life is a Story”. This project includes photographs from five generations of ancestors on both sides of her family tree. She also designed a digital piece to accompany her quilt which shares a brief narrative about each ancestor, giving viewers an opportunity to learn a small part of their individual stories. |
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This is Laura’s first solo art exhibit, but she has shown in several group exhibits as a member of the Little Crow Photography Club of Willmar, the Willmar Country Quilters Guild Biennial Quilt Show and most recently the Minnesota Quilters, Inc. 43rd Annual Quilt Show in the non-judged exhibit. Visit SMAC's Gallery Page to learn more about Laura. |
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Next in the Gallery: Andrew & Molly Rivera |
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Andrew Rivera, Molinillo Vase |
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Please help SMAC welcome our next gallery artists, the duo of Andrew & Molly Rivera of Hutchinson, both ceramicists. Andrew received a Quick Support for Artists grant and an Advanced Artist Fellowship grant, both in 2022. Molly received a Quick Support for Artists grant in 2022. The tentative dates for Andrew and Molly's exhibit are March 9th through April 28th, with an in-person artist reception on Thursday March 9th from 5-7 pm and a virtual reception on Thursday, April 6th at 5:30 pm. Watch our social media ( Facebook and Instagram) and website for more details to come! |
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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. Visit SMAC's Access Page for more information and resources. |
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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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Arts Action Week & Arts Rally Day at the Capitol |
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As in years past, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts will be organizing Arts Action week as well as an in-person arts rally day at the Minnesota capitol. Together with your fellow Arts Advocates from across Minnesota you will be the voice of support for the arts in our state! With your action we can help legislators understand the importance of the arts.
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts is a recognized national leader in arts advocacy and Arts Action Week helps to preserve our Legacy Amendment and state grant funds.
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Save the dates: Arts Action week will be March 20-24th, 2023. During this week, virtual and in-person meetings will be scheduled to speak with Minnesota representatives about the importance of the arts in our regions. The in-person rally will take place on Tuesday, March 21st, as well as scheduled in-person meetings with Minnesota representatives. More details to come!
S MAC staff will be attending the in-person rally on March 21st and can help coordinate carpooling or van rental with enough interest. We can also reimburse mileage where practical for arts advocates in our region to travel to our capital. Please email info@swmnarts.org with your interest!
SMAC will continue to communicate more information as we receive it to make sure you can register for this important event. Keep an eye out in your inbox, our website, and our social media: Facebook and Instagram
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Where is the next Arty Party?!
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Weather held us back a bit in January but we have rescheduled our Nobles County Arty Party for Thursday, March 2nd! We will be at the Memorial Auditorium in Worthington from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. You will be able to enjoy featured artworks from the Nobles County Art Center in the lobby as well as LIVE music from SMAC 2022 Prairie Disciple, Melanie Loy and the Great Plains String Quartet (pictured right)! Quartet includes: Melanie Loy, Beth Habicht, Sue Simonson and Morgan Rukstales will be filling in for Karen Pfeifer. |
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Other highlights include:
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Round Lake Winery and Lupita's will both be providing appetizers, courtesy of SMAC!
- Drawing for a fantastic gift basket with show tickets for Worthington Memorial Auditorium of Performing Arts, cheeses and even a special treat from the Round Lake Vineyards!
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Art Activity! You can take part in kicking off a community painting! This activity is sponsored by the Worthington Arts Commission. The original mural was created by community members during the annual Regatta around 2008, as a collaborative project with artist’s, Nick and Nicole Fischer. Sadly, a windstorm in 2021, blew the mural over and it was beyond repair. After neighbors and citizens continued to ask when the mural would go back up, the arts commission approved to redo the mural, repainting the design that was so well liked by the community. Pictured below: Left is the old mural, right is the template for the new mural.
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As always, there will be networking opportunities and SMAC staff will be available to answer questions, listen to the arts needs in the community, and share who SMAC is and what we can do for the arts in Southwest Minnesota!
We look forward to p(ART)ying with you!
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Stay tuned for upcoming details for our Pipestone Arty Party as well! This will likely be happening in late March.
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including descriptions of the grants and funding amounts, deadlines, earliest project start dates, and webinar dates
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Upcoming Grant Deadlines
Application Deadline: 1st of the month August 2022 through May 2023 by 4:40 pm Request staff to review application before submission: One week before application deadline. Earliest project start date: 1st day of the following month (after submission).
These deadlines apply to:
Application Deadline: February 8 by 4:30 pm
Request staff to review application before submission: January 25, 2023
Earliest project start date: April, 2023
Application Deadline: March 22 by 4:30 pm
Request staff to review application before submission: March 8, 2023
Earliest project start date: May 1, 2023
Application Deadline: March 29 by 4:30 pm
Request staff to review application before submission: March 15, 2023
Earliest project start date: May 1, 2023
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Nomination Deadline: April 15, 2023 by 4:30 pm
*Special Award* Prairie Disciple Award for $1,000: This award provides awareness and recognition of one individual per year from southwest Minnesota, whose activities and involvement have substantially contributed to the arts over an extended period of time. The accomplishments of arts advocates working in the region are often not widely known or appreciated. In recognizing these individuals publicly, the awards will raise the profile of the arts in their community and throughout the SMAC region. Nominations require letters of recognition from community members and peers. Start your nomination today!
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Virtual Grantwriting Webinars for Fiscal Year 2023
(July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)
Register for one of our online workshops to learn about our available grants. Grants administrator Caroline will cover guidelines, applications, and the granting process, along with taking time for questions about your specific projects.
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Virtual SMAC Grants Q&A Sessions for Fiscal Year 2023
(July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)
Join us for a virtual Grants Q&A Session to get questions answered about any of our grant programs. Upcoming dates include:
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including descriptions of the grants and funding amounts, deadlines, earliest project start dates, and webinar dates
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Other options for Grant Assistance
SW MN Arts Council grants administrator Caroline Koska is available to meet with you by phone, web conference or in person 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.
Every month we hold "Open Office Hours" for grant support--typically the 2nd Tuesday of the month, *however* in February it will be the 2nd Monday, February 13th, so that staff can attend the Cultures on the Prairie Conference on Tuesday. The office hours are from 10 am to 2 pm. You can use this time with SW MN Arts Council staff to talk through project ideas or get help with finding the right grant program, filling out your application, preparing work samples or budgets, or completing your final report.
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. View SMAC's Access page for more information.
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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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Looking for arts events to attend? Check out our 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!
Have something that's not an event, but an arts opportunity, like a RFP or call for local artists? We'll add it to our news posts! Send us those, too! |
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Lets work together to create a robust arts calendar for our region!! |
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Memberships
From December 22, 2022 to January 30, 2023
Contributors: Helen Pedersen, Marshall • Mni Sota Arts, Morton • Arts & Mentoring Project, Pipestone • Cottonwood County Historical Society, Windom •
Supporters: Kerry Ward, Glencoe • Newberg Sky Spray LLC, Hector • Rock County Fine Arts Association, Luverne • Cynthia Reverts, Luverne • Paula Nemes, Marshall • Liz Rackl, Ortonville • Cheri Buzzeo, Spicer • Melanie Loy, Worthington •
Sustainers: Timothy Krause & Robert Dell, Portland OR •
Patrons: Ken & Marlys Knuth, Slayton •
Benefactors: McLeod County Commission, Glencoe • Yellow Medicine County Commission, Granite Falls • Jackson County Commission, Jackson • Lac qui Parle County Commission, Madison • Lyon County Commission, Marshall • Meeker County Commission, Litchfield • Murray County Commission, Slayton • Renville County Commission, Olvia • Big Stone County Commission, Ortonville • Kandiyohi County Commission, Willmar • Cottonwood County Commission, Windom • Nobles County Commission, Worthington
Other Donations: Ron Porep, Milan •
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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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2023 SW MN Arts Council BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Big Stone - Judy Beckman
Jackson - Gillian Singler
Lincoln - Mark Wilmes
Meeker - Darlene Kotelnicki
Pipestone - Erica Volkir
Rock - Shawn Kinsinger
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Chippewa - Pending
Lyon - Dr. Erin Kline
Murray - Jessica Welu
Redwood - David KelseyBassett
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Cottonwood - Anna Johannsen
Lac qui Parle - Kristine Shelstad
Nobles - Cheryl Avenel-Navara
Renville - Kylie Rieke
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Executive Director - Nicole DeBoer
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Grants & Financial Administrator - Caroline Koska
Accessibility & 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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