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Northwest Minnesota Arts Council News

The Latest in Regional Arts Opportunities

Exhibits, Grants, Announcements, Events, Trainings, Workshops, & More!

Ongoing School Residency Grants Applications
January 10 Artists of NW MN Booklet Applications Due
February 13 Grant Training for Non-Profit & Gov't Organizations
February 29 Arts Grants for Non-Profit & Gov't Entities Deadline

Learn more about these programs, services, and events in this newsletter!

Submit your entry for our upcoming Artist Booklet!

It's time to submit an entry for the 6th edition of our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. Learn more and download an entry form on our website here. Or download Artist Entry Form. Or for businesses and organizations, download and submit this Group Entry Form..Or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call our office at 218-745-8886 to receive a form via mail. The cost is only $20 for a listing + you receive 20 copies of the booklet! What a deal!

Submissions will be accepted for Artists & Business/Organization listings until January 10.

Find our a free print edition of our current booklet Artists of Northwest Minnesota at your local library, from featured artists, or in other public spaces throughout our region. This is the 5th edition of this publication. The directory lists fine craft and visual artists, photographers, writers, and performing artists who answered our call for entries, as well as arts organizations. It's an invaluable resource when you are looking for art and artists in our region.

Download Artist Entry Form Here

Download Business/Organization Entry Form

Some FREE services offered in our office space!

Need an images of your art?

Take advantage of this free service to elevate your arts business.

Do you need a headshot?

Or images of you performing your art?

Take advantage of the photography room.

Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications

Organizations, Individuals & Schools -- Apply Now

Grant training for Organizations on February 13

Applications are open for arts grants to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, and other nonprofit organizations. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.

Nonprofit arts organizations can apply for general operating funds. Applications are open now. The eligible grant amount is based on total expenses within the previous two completed years and the organization's history of arts programming. These organizations will be able to add to this grant, as the year progresses, if they need additional funding. Funding sources for these grants come from Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.

Quick turnaround grants for $500 will be available on an ongoing deadline starting in January. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.

Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.

Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2024). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.

All other nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Upcoming grants deadline for these is February 29. Grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.

Organizational arts activities funded through these two very important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities.

Schools in our seven-county region can also apply now for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. Our teaching artist roster is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area and is available on our website at www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org under the artists tab. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.

Schools can initially apply for one residency. Then based on remaining funding, can request up to three additional residencies into spring and summer. Funding for residency activities comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota.

Read more here about our grants and how to apply.

We offer grant training workshops via Zoom or in person at the NWMAC office in Warren. You must RSVP to attend. Email director@nwartscouncil.org to RSVP or with questions. Don’t let your questions about the grant process keep you from applying! We are here to help.

Upcoming trainings will be:

February 13 for Non-Profit Organizations and Gov't Entities

To learn more about grant programs and start an application visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. The grant application process is completely online and NWMAC's Director Mara Hanel can help walk you through the process of using the grants portal to get accustomed to it. Please contact her at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886.

Let's Talk Art is our weekly radio interview and podcast with Pioneer 90.1's Ron West.

Let's Talk Art Podcast

Do you listen to our weekly podcast? If not, you are missing out! We feature artists, arts organizations, and arts events in our region. The podcast begins as a radio interview on Pioneer 90.1 radio. The interviews air on Tuesdays at 3:05pm. Then, we put the interviews on our website so you can listen to them at any time. It's a simple and entertaining way to learn about all the arts happenings in our region and even about some statewide arts organizations and efforts. To hear all of the past podcasts visit our website here.

Some of the recent podcasts include:

12.5.23 Beth Carson Beth Carlson has a long theater career in Crookston. She retired as the Music Teacher from the Cathedral School and is the One Act and Three Act Director at Crookston High School. They are currently working on their One Act performances.This year Crookston HS is hosting the competition. Listen here.

11.28.23 Trey Everett NWMAC Showcase Specialist talked about what's involved in creating our exhibits and some behind-the-scenes info about his job; being an artist who works primarily in a pen and ink and creates murals throughout our region; and working as a teaching artist. This fall Trey was awarded a national rural arts award, which is quite an honor Listen here.

11.21.23 Becky Rosenkrans With holiday shopping in full swing, it’s a great time to make a trip to Roseau to check out The Bead Gypsy. Becky is the owner, a jeweler, and the shop includes her work and artwork from many local artists, including pottery, rosemaling, books, fiber arts, and much more. It's a fun place to visit and support local art. To learn more about Becky's jewelry and the artists the shop features, listen here.

11.14.23 Bonnie Stewart The history of the arts in Fosston, the details of the name change from FCLAA to the Aurora Center for the Arts, and the branding campaign the board undertook as a part of the name change were highlighted. Bonnie also provided information about upcoming events like the Dan Rodriguez concert on December 8 and the Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts on November 26. Listen here.

Traveling Art Exhibit is

at Fertile Public Library

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC)'s annual Traveling Art Exhibit is touring NW Minnesota libraries. This year the exhibit includes 15 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit is in Fertile until Jan 16.

The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:

Adults

Ross Hier, Crookston, Watercolor
Tim Anderson, Goodridge, Wood Bowl
Nancy Vraa, RLF, Hat and Mitten Set
Lillian Ramsey, TRF, Acrylic Painting
Kathy Panek, Goodridge, Acrylic Paint
Jodi M Smith, EGF, Photography
Dennis Lee, RLF, Acrylic Painting

Students:

Madilyn Crompton, Borup, Digital Photo, Ada-Borup-West
Makaela Longoria, Ada, Ceramic Sculpture, Ada-Borup-West
Emma Gunderson, Crookston, Acrylic Painting, Crookston School
Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Silk Screen Print, Fertile-Beltrami School
Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, Mixed Media Graphite Pencil, Goodridge
Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, Pen Drawing, GMR School
Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, Linoleum Print, GMR School
Maryjane Crane, RLF, Acrylic Painting, RLF School

Watch for the exhibit to make its way to your town!

Need a Head Shot or Photos of Work Samples? We’ve got you covered!

We now offer a photography room for artists to create work sample shots at no cost at our office space in Warren. The photography room offers amateur headshots, photography of instruments and samples of art pieces, as well as live recording shots.

You must make an appointment for this service. director@NWArtsCouncil.org or 218-745-8886.

Sista's Corner in Crookston and Tonnabell’s in Thief River Falls showcase local artist's works.Both stores are looking for artists who would be interested in teaching classes or demonstrating their art. Reach out to Kelly at Tonnabell's or Shirley at Sista's Corner to inquire.

Check out Stephanie Olson's art our display case at NCTC near our gallery.

The work of Thief River Falls Artist Gail Ose, who is the owner of Serendipity Art Hub is exhibited in a display case near our NWMAC Gallery at NCTC. Stop by and see it!

Fiber art created by Roseau Artist Aliza Novacek-Olson is displayed in one of the display cases outside of our NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Aliza’s work will be displayed until the end of the year. Stop by to see it!

Grant writing training will be offered 2 weeks before each deadline ... Feb 13 and Apr 17 2024. Reach out if you need help!

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Wondering how to keep track of your finances as an artist or creative small business owner? Join Natasha Parry (founder of 3x3 Bookkeeping) and Kathryn Pyle for an easygoing conversation on finances and accounting for small businesses. Natasha and Kathy both work extensively with creative small businesses, and will be on hand to answer your questions about everything from bookkeeping to invoicing.

This “Ask Me Anything” conversation is free, and will be held virtually on Zoom. Register here: https://springboardforthearts.org/.../ask-me-anything.../

To see all the trainings, events and other resources that Springboard for the Arts is offering, visit their events webpage here. These include zoom sessions on copyrights, trademarks, record keeping, pricing, websites, and more!

Minnesota arts & cultural organizations offering accessible programs and services are welcome to list events on the Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar. An account is required; register today or log in to submit events. New accounts need to be approved by the Minnesota Access Alliance board before you’ll be able to submit events. Please allow 48 hours for your registration to be approved.

The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides this Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for patrons who use accessibility accommodations. At the their website you’ll find listings of (in order):

* Captioning,

* ASL interpreting,

* Audio Description,

* Sensory-friendly accommodations, and

* Disability-related events.

Each listing links to more details on MNAA’s online calendar (https://calendar.mnaccess.org). Be sure to check the listing or venue to find out its COVID-19 protocol and if you need to make an advance reservation for the accessibility service.

Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar is here: https://calendar.mnaccess.org

If you previously had an account to submit events to VSA Minnesota’s Accessible Art Activities Calendar, your credentials for that calendar are still valid here.

This calendar only lists events that provide explicit accommodations for people with disabilities. Information about the accessibility of the event location and provided accommodations is a requirement in order to be listed.

To submit events and register start at this page: https://calendar.mnaccess.org/calendar/submit/

If you know of other accessible events, please ask those venues to submit their events to the MNAA Calendar (and to MinnesotaPlaylist.com).

Anyone can get this monthly calendar: email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org and indicate which list you want: the entire list or specifically ASL Interpreting, Captioning, Audio Description, Sensory Friendly accommodations or Disability-related topics.

Join our board! Would you like to be more involved in the arts in northwest Minnesota? Consider becoming an Arts Council Board Member! The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council has openings for representatives from Red Lake, Pennington and Norman. We are also looking for one at-large member who can be from any of our seven counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

The Arts Council meets five times a year usually in Warren or virtually and reviews and approves arts grants and arts policy and arts services for seven counties in Minnesota.

For more information and to receive a nomination form for yourself or a friend, contact Mara Hanel, NWMAC, at 218-745-8886; or email her at director@nwartscouncil.org. Visit our website here to learn more and for the nomination form.

There are a number of upcoming deadlines for McKnight fellowships. Support for individual artists has been a focus of the McKnight Foundation’s Arts & Culture program since its inception. McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships increase the exploratory opportunity, economic stability, and productive capacity of artists by providing $25,000 in unrestricted support for mid-career artists and discipline-specific artistic and professional development opportunities.

Please visit their website to find out more about their fellowships and how to apply. https://www.mcknight.org/programs/arts-culture/mcknight-artist-culture-bearer-fellowships/#apply or visit our website at

McKnight Fellowships

McKnight Fellowship for Musicians Jan 30
McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship March 28
McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting January 11
McKnight Fellowships for Dancers and Choreographers March 20

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is traveling across the state and wants to meet up with you!

They are stopping in communities across Minnesota to hear from artists, arts organizations, community leaders, businesses, residents, and families about how Legacy Arts Funding has helped the arts flourish. How has this funding helped with the quality of living in your community? How does it impact your downtown? Who benefits when your organization succeeds?

Please join in the casual conversation with MCA Executive Director Sarah Fossen, MN State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens, the MCA Lobbyists from Winthrop & Weinstine, and NWMAC Director Mara Hanel. MCA will also be inviting local legislators to join as well.

Aurora Center for the Arts

403 N Foss Ave, Fosston, MN 56542

Wednesday, January 10th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The event is co-sponsored by the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council.

Help Them Plan for Numbers by Registering Below:

Mental Health Awareness Mural Check out the Mental Health Awareness mural created by artist Victoria German in Downtown Thief River Falls

If you're in Bemidji don't miss the Bemidji Sculpture Walk 2023. Roseau Metal Artist Sue Suess's piece "Strolling with the Wind" is one of the featured works of art!