In this issue:

• End of Year Giving: Support our Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grants!



• SMAC Awards $113,359 to local schools, organizations & artists

• In the SMAC Gallery

• MN Arts Action Week: March 4-8th, 2024

• Join us in Montevideo for a grants workshop



• Upcoming Virtual Grant Webinars & Upcoming Grant Deadlines

• Will YOU be a SMAC Board Member?

• Winter Break Office Hours

• Outreach: Cansayapi Wicoicage Oti

• Get to know SMAC Staff

Pictured: Little Theatre Auditorium's production of "Clown Bar: Episode 1", for which they received a SMAC Art Project grant.

This year, SMAC brought back our Special Fundraising Campaign to raise funds for our Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grants!

Before our special fundraising last year, SMAC historically only had the funding available to award 8 grants in our Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grants program per year but there are more than 8 children in SW MN who wish to pursue art! Last year we raised enough to be able to award 12 of these grants. SMAC wants to offer more children the opportunity to further themselves in arts education. Every child is worthy to pursue what the arts have to offer.

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.

Arts funding in our schools continues to go down, and as a result, students aren't always getting the attention they need in regards to the arts. For students who want to expand their arts learning, there needs to be another option. Kids deserve exposure to the arts in the same way they deserve exposure to sports and other competitions and excellence pursuits! 

SMAC provides 8 to 12 youth art grants per year to help kids explore the arts. 

With your support, we can provide more opportunities for more kids.

Your gift of $100 or more by December 31st will help SMAC say "yes" to more kids who want to pursue the arts! If 15 donors gave $100 each, we could award 3 more students this spring. With 30 donors we could award 6 more students, and with 40 donors ($4,000) we could DOUBLE the amount of students awarded grants this spring!

SMAC Awards $113,359 to local organizations, schools & artists

The SMAC board voted on November 28 to award $100,750 to twelve organizations, $4,609 in grant funds to two schools and $8,000 to two individual artists

The following eleven organizations have been awarded SMAC Operating Support grants. These 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. Find out more through the above link.

• AMP (Arts & Mentoring Project) of Jasper was awarded $6,073
• The Cultural Center in Bird Island was awarded $7,890
• The Dawson-Boyd Arts Association was awarded $8,043
• Hutchinson Center for the Arts was awarded $14,239
• The Little Theatre Auditorium in New London was awarded $9,562
• MAFAC (Marshall Area Fine Arts Council was awarded $6,246
• The Milan Village Arts School was awarded $7,503
• The Pipestone Performing Arts Center was awarded $14,285
• The Wilder Pageant Committee of Walnut Grove was awarded $15,907
• The Willmar Area Arts Council was awarded $5,409
• The Winsted Arts Council was awarded $4,843

The following organization has been awarded a SMAC Quick Support for Organizations grants. These grants provide organizations with up to $2,500 for activities such as planning for an Art Legacy project, strategic planning or board training, costs to apply for 501(c)(3) status, small equipment purchases, or small arts projects. 

• Southwest Minnesota Orchestra of Marshall was awarded $750 for replacing their current orchestra folders, of which very few remain intact, with new orchestra folders that are specifically designed to keep sheet music, which is most often larger dimension than a regular sheet of paper, damage-free.  

The following two schools were awarded SMAC Arts in the Schools grants. These grants provide public schools with up to $4,000 for projects such as artist residencies, arts field trips, juried student art exhibits, etc.

• New London-Spicer Public Schools has been awarded $609 for their robotics team to learn how to use printmaking methods for graphics on their team uniforms, robot, and signage that includes mechanics towels and fan hankies, improving the "Arts" in STEAM by integrating a visual design concept into their team appearance.  

• Westbrook Walnut Grove Highschool was awarded $4,000 for bringing in a professional stage combat educator to provide a series of hands-on workshops in which students will be taught safety and procedure of engaging in physical contact on stage. They will learn fighting styles, proper weapon handling, and the importance of choreography.

The following artist was awarded a SMAC Advanced Artist Fellowship grant. These grants provide up to $7,000 in project funds to established advanced artists who exhibit creative excellence, a substantial body of work, and significant recognition of their artistic accomplishments.

• Eva Margaret of Willmar was awarded $7,000 to complete several pieces for a new body of work in paper clay and oil paint, which will be representations of visual and cognitive information received through psychic mediumship readings.

Pictured: Shoo Fly by Eva Margaret. Oil paint, paint marker, paper, gold leaf and paper clay on wood panel, 16"x16"x2", 2022.

The following artist was awarded SMAC Quick Support for Individual 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.

• Alma Hale of Marshall has been awarded $1,000 to complete and frame photographs manipulated to resemble watercolor paintings for his upcoming show entitled, "Faux-toshop".

In the Gallery: Adrienne Herbert

Currently in the SMAC Gallery is Adrienne Herbert or Lakefield. This exhibit will run through December 22nd, 2023. Adrienne received SMAC Quick Support for Artists grants in 2022 & 2023.

Join SMAC & the Artist for a Virtual Reception/Artist Talk

& Unveiling of Virtual Exhibit Tour

Thursday, December 7th, 5:30 pm

on Zoom

Join Zoom Call

Meeting ID: 849 1376 6476

Passcode: 415122

Pictured left: Beyond the River II

About the Artist

An Illinois native, Adrienne has lived in various places in the United States and Canada. Always drawn to water, much of her time has been spent in Florida near the Gulf Coast, in Canada near the Lake of the Woods, and now in Minnesota. In all places nature and people have been the primary sources of inspiration. Hiking in the woods or along a beach, she always has a camera in her hand. She captures her subjects to savor the memories of the experience and also to paint them. She is an oil painter and printmaker, and loves exploring techniques and tools. In recent years Encaustics has been the primary focus of her work, learning the versatility of this ancient medium.

Next in the Gallery: Justin Beck

Justin Beck of Hutchinson will be exhibiting his photography in the SMAC Gallery from January 11th through February 23, 2024. Justin received a SMAC Individual Artist grant in 2022 to frame his photography for exhibits. Pictured above is his show at the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council. Join us for an in-person reception in Marshall on Thursday, January 11th from 5-7 pm and a virtual reception and gallery tour on Thursday, February 8th at 5:30! More details will be published as the exhibit becomes closer.

Once again, this year Minnesota Citizens for the Arts will hold Arts Action Week with opportunities to meet with your legislators in-person or via zoom during Arts Action week, taking place from March 4th through the 8th, 2024. On March 5th, they will organize an in-person rally at the capitol in St. Paul.

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is a statewide arts advocacy organization committed to lobbying the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress. Their mission is to provide opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts.

SMAC will continue to post more details and opportunities surrounding this important week as we get them, but for now, mark your calendars to join SMAC Staff & Board on March 5th at the Capitol raising awareness of the impact of arts funding in our rural communities.

Bonus: Did you know that SMAC's Executive Director served on the MN Citizen's for the Arts board (as well as sat on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for them) for six years? Pictured is Nicole DeBoer (middle) and the other retiring board members.

Attend In-Person SMAC Grants Session in Montevideo!

On Tuesday, January 9th* SMAC's Grants Administrator, Caroline Koska, will be conducting a grant information workshop in Montevideo at Java River (210 S 1st Street) from 7-8 pm-with coffee & treats! Learn all about SW MN Arts Council grant opportunities for this year (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024), including updates to guidelines and deadlines. SMAC funding is available for organizations, cities, Tribal Nations, artists, schools, and youth in the SW MN region. Learn more about our grants & see the current Grants Calendar

*Snow date will be Tuesday, January 16th

This session is free, but registration is preferred

There are no stairs to enter the building. There is an incline in the sidewalk to enter the main entrance. Bathroom is accessible to accommodate a wheelchair but might be a small for a second person assisting. Please let SMAC staff know if you request any accommodations to attend this event: info@swmnarts.org or 800-622-5284. Visit SMAC's Accessibility Page

For more grant assistance options, visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page.

Upcoming Virtual Grant Workshops

visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page for more info

**Workshops are free, but registration is required**

Tuesday, December 5, 7-8 pm

Virtual SMAC Grants Q&A Session (Register Here)

Get questions answered about any of our grant programs or your project ideas.

Monday, December 11, Noon (12)-1 pm

Equipment & Facilities Improvement Grants (Register Here)

Learn about SMAC's Equipment & Facilities Improvement grants, available to arts organizations.

Thursday, February 15, 5:30-6:30 pm

Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grants (Register Here)

Learn about SMAC's Art Study Opportunity for Youth grants, available to students entering grades 5 through 12.

Thursday, March 7, 7-8 pm

Virtual SMAC Grants Q&A Session (Register Here)

Get questions answered about any of our grant programs or your project ideas.

**Workshops are free, but registration is required**

Watch a recorded webinar for all grants info session from earlier this year

Other options for Grant Assistance:

Visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page

SW MN Arts Council grants administrator Caroline Koska (pictured left) 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 on the 2nd Tuesday of the month we hold "Open Office Hours" for grant support. The office hours are from 10 am to 2 pm and the next one will be Tuesday, December 12th. 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.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

1st of the Month August, 2023 through May 2024:

• Quick Support for Organizations (watch Quick Support for Organizations recorded webinar)

• Arts in the Schools (watch Arts in the Schools recorded webinar)

• Quick Support for Artists (watch recorded webinar for Artist Grants)

December 13: Public Art (watch recorded webinar for Public Art Grants)

January 10: Artist Growth (watch recorded webinar for Artist Grants)

January 31: Equipment & Facilities Improvement

(register for Equipment & Facilities Improvement webinar)

February 28: Artist Equity (watch recorded webinar for Artist Grants)

March 13: Art Project (watch recorded webinar for Art Project Grants)

March 27: Art Study Opportunity for Youth

(register for Art Study Opportunity for Youth webinar)

View our current grants calendar

including descriptions of the grants and funding amounts, deadlines, earliest project start dates, and webinar dates for our new fiscal year, starting July 2023 through June 2024.

Visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page

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

The Minnesota State Arts Board is also seeking grant review panelists. To learn more, visit our opportunities post on our website.

Will you serve as a SMAC Board Member?

Starting in January, SMAC will be seeking representatives from six counties to serve on our board of directors: Big Stone, Jackson, McLeod, Murray, Redwood 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?

SMAC's Board of Directors will have six 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!

To learn more and to fill out an application visit SMAC's Become A Board Member Page. You can also schedule a meeting with our Executive Director, Nicole DeBoer, for further questions.

Outreach: Cansayapi Wicoicage Oti

SMAC Executive Director gathered with other U of M Extension Regional Sustainable Development partnership members at Cansayapi Wicoicage Oti (Lower Sioux Arts Incubator) to learn about the impacts of community projects. Tour guide, pictured in the middle, is Mat Pendleton.

Get to know the SMAC Staff!

Pictured left to right : Tisha Wade, SMAC Arts Ambassador; Nicole DeBoer, Executive Director; John Kellen, Communications Assistant; Caroline Koska, Financial & Grans Administrator; and Krystl Louwagie, Accessibility & Marketing Coordinator. You can learn more about each member on our Board & Staff webpage, or visit our Contact Us page to get more information on meeting us.

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! Remember, these don't have to be SMAC grant funded events, just arts events in our 18-county region!

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 opportunities posts! Send us those, too!

Would you like to become a contributing member of SMAC or make a donation?

You can help by contributing online or by mail, for more information, visit Become a SMAC member!

 Memberships

From October 25 to November 28, 2023



Contributors: Gene & Helen Stukel Photography, Granite Falls • Barry & Kathy Anderson, Granite Falls •Sue Selden, Granite Falls • Janet Olney, Willmar •

Supporters: Karen Odden, Granite Falls • Ross Anderson, Marshall • Bill & Tina Richards, Walnut Grove •

Sustainers: Ruth Hamlow, Hutchinson • Red Cogelow, Willmar •

Other Donations

Elizabeth McAfee, Apple Valley • Luanne Fondell, Dawson • Deb & Craig Maki, Marshall • Marilyn Leach, Marshall • Courtney Backen, St. Paul • Mid-Minnesota Development Commission, Willmar • Cheyrl Avenel-Navara, Worthington •

SMAC Members will get an "I Love Rural Arts" Sticker! (pictured left)

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS!

Chippewa - M E (Maggie) Fuller

Kandiyohi - Ana Serrano

Lyon - Dr. Erin Kline

Murray - OPEN

Redwood - David KelseyBassett

Swift - Jessica Mata