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• Grants Awarded: SMAC Awards $10,777 to area schools, artists & students
• In the SMAC Gallery
• Recap: SMAC Annual Celebration in Pipestone
• New Board Member from Redwood County
• Upcoming grant workshops, deadlines & grant assistance options
• Coming up: Give to the Max Day
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Pictured: In 2024 the Calumet Players received a SMAC Art Project grant for their production of "Honk! The Musical". | | |
SMAC Awards $10,777 to local schools, artists & students
The SMAC board voted on September 23 to award $7,973 in grant funds to 2 schools, $1,934 to 2 individual artists and $870 to 2 students
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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.
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Bert Raney Elementary of Granite Falls has been awarded $3,973 for an October 2025 Ross Sutter dulcimer building and playing residency with 5th graders. 1st through 4th grade students will also learn simple dulcimer playing techniques.
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Southwest Minnesota State University Music department of Marshall was awarded $4,000 for a March 2026 Mike Dana (guitar) residency with the SMSU Jazz Ensemble, including two performances. It also includes clinics with the bands at Murray County Central High School and Minneota High School.
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Miranda Raposa of Montevideo was awarded $1,000 for creating a mural in the courtyard of Java River Cafe featuring local favorite animals such as beavers, walleye, and white pelicans. Art from Raposa pictured bottom left.
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Wičhíŋčala of Grante Faills has been awarded $934 for creating a dentalium corset, satin skirt, a matching choker, necklace, and earring set using traditional Dakhota practices. Pictured bottom right: Wearable dentalium art by Wičhíŋčala.
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The following two students were awarded SMAC 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. | |
• Mara Flesner of Tracy has been awarded $500 for lessons with artist and teacher SammyJo Miller, focusing on drawing and painting skills. Pictured left is artwork by Mara Flesner.
• Silas Willitz of Fairfax was awarded $370 for piano lessons with Vanessa Wales.
| | In the Gallery: Doris Stands of Redwood Falls | | The current exhibit in the SMAC Gallery, featuring the art of Doris Stands, will be up through October 24, 2025. Stands received SMAC Artist Equity grants in 2022 and 2024 to further her artistic practice featured around horse regalia, star quilts, acrylic paintings & media art, ribbon shirts & skirts, and traditional dance regalia. Stands is also the Executive Director of Dakota Wicohan, an organization whose mission is “to revitalize Dakota as a living language, and through it, transmit Dakota lifeways to future generations.” Learn more about Stands and this exhibit on our website: swmnarts.org/dorisstands | | | | |
Upcoming Opportunities
Virtual Artist Talk & Gallery Tour on Zoom
Thursday, October 9 at 5:30 pm on Zoom
Email info@swmnarst.org for zoom link to join
Pictured: Artist Doris Stands (right) talks to guest at in-person artist reception
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Up Next in the Gallery
Kelly Henkels of Worthington received a SMAC Quick Support for Artists grant in 2024 to create abstract wall hangings and 3-D creatures by exploring sewing, hand stitching, embroidery, fabric paints, gelli printing, felting, different textures of fabric and other supplies.
| | Henkels will be exhibiting in the SMAC Gallery November 6 through December 19, 2025. The in-person artist reception will be on Thursday, November 6 from 5-7 pm with special art activity: mini collages ~ more details coming soon! There will also be a virtual exhibit tour and artist talk on Zoom, Thursday, December 4th at 5:30 pm. Email info@swmnarts.org for the zoom link to join. | |
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. | |
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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Thanks for joining us in Pipestone for our Annual Celebration!
A huge thank you to all the artists, attendees and supporters who made this years celebration so lovely! Your passion for the arts remind us why we do what we do.
Special thanks to the organizers and performers that made this event possible: SMAC Pipestone Board member Mark Thode, the wonderful & classy host venue the Pipestone Performing Arts Center, Bronwyn & Jeff Jones, the Calumet Players, the Al Opland Singers, Arts & Mentoring Project - AMP, Samantha Davis, Jess Robinson, Katrina Hart, Danielle Evers, Reggie Gorter, Jenn Sheldon, Tom Schmitt, Jael Lopez, featured visual artists Tammy Grubbs & Mark Thode, Mitchell Hamersma, Traci Nissen, Ella Gorter, Kyle Kuphal, Zach Ploeger & Lindsey Hunstad.
And another thank you to our celebrated 2025 Prairie Star Award Winner, Bill Richards!
We also must give a shout out to the talented businesses that supplied the food! We enjoyed delicious food and beverages by Sassy Cakes by Ashly, Hatfield Roadhouse, Gray Wolf Saloon, and Keri's Cupcakes & More.
You can view more photos from the event on the Pipestone Performing Arts Center's Facebook page, and SMAC will be posting more soon on our social media as well!
| | Please help SMAC Welcome our new Redwood County Board Representative, Charlene Graff! | | SMAC thanks previous Redwood County board member Su Lee (formerly of Lamberton). Lee served from January of 2024 until August 2025 and we appreciate the time she was able to contribute! | | | | Charlene Graff of Lamerton was voted in as the new Redwood County Board member at the end of August and we are grateful for the quick transition! Graff brings a lot of artistic experience, including watercolor artist, quilter, music (singer, director and guitar player), acting and directing in plays, and is a published poet! Graff has an undergraduate degree in English Education and has taught as a high school English teacher. She also has extensive experience in public service; over 20 years as a welfare-to-work job counselor and 15 years working for Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank serving SW MN as a resource for charitable food selves and food programs. Graff serves on many county Homeless Response Teams, the SW Rural Sustainable Development Partnership board and others! | | |
Her volunteer work also includes: work with Redwood County Salvation Army, Worship + Music team at her church, Wabasso Food Shelf, Kuhar Park Advisory Bard, Lamberton's 150th Celebration Planning Committee, and the Lamberton Area Community Foundation board.
When asked why Graff was interested in serving on the SMAC board, she said, "I have deep roots here and feel an innate desire to use my talents, education, volunteer skills, and knowledge to develop and improve the SW region of MN...Not only can the arts be a boon to the rural economy, it also serves as a reflection of the meaning and identity of our rural communities...I'd be happy to offer my skills of organizing, public speaking and facilitation, helping to recruit artists from Redwood County to apply for grants and join SMAC, and promote the work of SMAC."
We're so glad to have you, Charlene!
| | Hutchinson In-Person Workshop: SMAC Grants for Individual Artists | | | | |
In-Person Sessions
Schedule an in-person grant session in your community. If there are multiple interested individuals or organizations in your community, contact us (info@swmnarts.org) to schedule a workshop at your location to learn about grant programs for FY2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
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Upcoming Virtual Grant Workshops
**Workshops are free, but registration is required**
Q&A Sessions
Join us for an overview of SMAC grant opportunities for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 – June 2026), with time to ask questions about any of the grants or your specific projects. Register for the session you prefer by clicking on the linked dates:
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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 we hold "Open Office Hours" for grant support on the second Tuesday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm and the next one will be Tuesday, October 14th. 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.
You can also 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.
| | 1st of the Month August 2025 through May 2026 or until funds are expended: | | All applications are due by 4 pm on the deadline date. No exceptions. | | We know that the whole grant process can be intimidating and confusing. We've made two new videos that should help! For understanding the whole grant process, watch our SMAC Grant Process video and to help you navigate our grants system when applying and filling out final reports, watch our Using the Grant System video. If you need more guidance or assistance, please visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page. Our videos are a great resource to better understand our grants, and they can be viewed anytime on your own schedule! Check out the many options: | | |
Join SMAC in fundraising on Give to the Max Day this year: Thursday, November 20th!
Plan to join GiveMN and thousands of Minnesota nonprofits and schools as we raise funds together for the organizations which make our communities stronger. If you represent a nonprofit or school looking to join in on Minnesota's giving holiday, take time to review the resources and information page to learn more. SMAC encourages you join us! Visit SMAC's GiveMN donation page
What IS Give to the Max Day? It is a Minnesota-based initiative started by GiveMN in 2009 to help raise money for participating nonprofit organizations and schools. GiveMN adds incentives starting on November 1st, and especially on Give to the Max Day itself (Thursday, November 20), for giving to your favorite MN causes. Each time a gift is made during Give to the Max, it is eligible to help organizations win part of the $100,000+ Prize Pool. In fact, there are nearly 150 chances to win during Give to the Max Day and Early Giving, beginning November 1. The Bush Foundation is sponsoring the prize pool again in 2025. Learn more about the prize incentives, such as Golden Tickets and Power Hours!
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For more opportunities and resources be sure to check out our latest news posts on SMAC's website.
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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-$125 for a panel (depending on the number of applications reviewed). More details on being a SMAC panelist
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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! 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!
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SMAC is seeking 2 board members! SMAC is seeking community members from the two sovereign nations in our region to serve on our board of directors: Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux
Are you a member of these communities? Are you passionate about arts awareness & funding and where & how those funds are distributed?
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The SMAC Board of Directors continually seeks artists, arts administrators, arts teachers, arts volunteers, and arts appreciators to serve on its board and to keep all 20 board positions filled. SMAC encourages and seeks a diverse mix of individuals from across our Southwest Minnesota region, from all communities – including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals – and representing all artistic disciplines - to be present on our board. Board members share their knowledge and expertise in the arts and/or nonprofit management and their ability to grant funds equitably and fairly.
SMAC's Board of Directors currently has two vacant board seats. We are seeking a community member from each of the sovereign nations listed above to serve.
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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 communities, 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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Memberships
From August 30 to September 29, 2025
Contributors: Eunice Woodberry, Jackson • SMSU Entertainment & Theatre Arts Program, Marshall • Tetta Askeland, Marshall • Helen Pedersen, Marshall • Mni Sota Arts, Morton • Joseph Evans, Morton • Ramona Welsand Larson, Redwood Falls • Bryan & Sure Nelson, Redwood Falls • Dana Miller, Tracy • Michelle Hooker, Windom •
Supporters: Sandy Saulsbury, New London • Mark Thode, Pipestone • Ana Serrano, Willmar • Anna Johannsen, Windom • Worthington Public Arts Commission •
General Donations
Kristine Shelstad, Madison • Anonymous Donors
Art Study Opportunity for Youth Donations
Anonymous Donors
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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! All SMAC donors will get an "I Love Rural Arts" Sticker!
| | THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS! | | 2025 SW MN Arts Council BOARD OF DIRECTORS | | |
Big Stone - Krista Hartman
Jackson - Eunice Woodberry
Lincoln - Mark Wilmes
Meeker - Darlene Kotelnicki
Pipestone - Mark Thode
Rock - Shawn Kinsinger
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Chippewa - Georgette Jones
Kandiyohi - Ana Serrano
Lower Sioux/Cansa'yapi - OPEN
Lyon - Tetta Askeland
Murray - Tiffany Holmes
Redwood - Charlene Graff
Swift - Jessica Mata
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Cottonwood - Michelle Hooker
Lac qui Parle - Kristine Shelstad
McLeod - Lisa Hill
Nobles - Cheryl Avenel-Navara
Renville - Joseph Evans
Upper Sioux/Pezihutazizi - OPEN
Yellow Medicine - Tim Pehrson
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Executive Director - Nicole DeBoer
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Grants Administrator - Caroline Koska
Accessibility & Marketing Coordinator - Krystl Louwagie
Communications Assistant: Jessica Stölen
Financial Administrator: LaRae Disbrow
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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 and two sovereign nations 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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