- Join us for our Annual Celebration in Tyler: Registration now OPEN!
- SMAC Awards $92,358 to local organizations & artists
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- Redwood Arty Party: Rural Arts Reveal
- Upcoming In-Person Grant Info Session: Slayton
- Upcoming Virtual Grant Webinars & Upcoming Grant Deadlines
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SMAC 2023 Annual Celebration
Celebrate Art & Artists of SW MN
You are invited to join us in celebration of the arts and artists of our 18 county region:
Saturday, October 14, 2023
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From 2-4 pm, check out these area artist studios and arts spaces:
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Pam Blake Glass Art, 324 E. Hughes Street, Tyler
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Nancy Huehl Watercolor Studio, 130 N Tyler Street, Tyler
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Lake Benton Opera House, 118 E Benton Street, Lake Benton
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Danebod Folk School Stonehouse Museum, 140 Danebod Court, Tyler
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“PAN!” Children’s Theatre presented by Tyler Arts Council, 2:00pm (and 7pm show), performed at RTR High School Auditorium, 111 Co Rd 8, Tyler
** More sites and studios may be added... check our Annual Celebration webpage for updates!
At 4 pm, enjoy a Happy Hour cash bar in the Danebod gymnasium, followed by SMAC's Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony for our Prairie Disciple, Lee Kanten, then a meal catered by award-winning BBQ chef Scotty Biggs at 5:30 pm. Enjoy music by Lee & Friends, followed by announcement of the Spirit of the Region Raffle Basket winners at 7 pm!
Join the Celebration!
Tickets: $25/person
Advance ticket purchase required by October 9.
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More Event Details
"Spirit of the Region" Raffle: A $10 raffle ticket will get you the chance to win a basket of art & goods made in the SMAC Region (from wine to honey, beer to fudge). Raffle tickets available in advance at the SMAC office or through a SMAC Board Member. Raffle tickets also available onsite at the event.
Awards
2023 Prairie Disciple Award ($1,000): Lee Kanten, Ortonville
This award is to recognize a person who has been instrumental in promoting the arts in the 18-county area of southwestern Minnesota. Lee is an international and award-winning director and producer who made his career in the Twin Cities creating motivational and communications films for Fortune 500 companies, but it is in Ortonville and the surrounding region where musician and filmmaker Lee Kanten has made the most impact. Lee donates his film production skills locally to organizations, non-profits and artists. He uses his voice on KDIO radio co-hosting a weekly morning show where uses every opportunity to promote the arts in our region. He frequently submits stories to the local newspaper for the Big Stone Art Council’s column, “Opening Doors.” His nominator said, “Arts advocacy is embedded in the heart of this ‘Troubadour of the Prairie,’ (as some of the locals have dubbed him) and he intends to provide outlets for the arts with jam sessions for musicians, variety shows, and more outdoor concerts this summer, all in an attempt to help spread creativity and support the arts in our community”. Another community member’s letter of support said, “if SMAC wants to honor someone who has lived and breathed the arts and arts support, Lee Kanten would truly be an Arts Disciple.” Read more about Lee Kanten
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SMAC Awards $92,358 to local organizations & artists | |
The SMAC board voted on August 22 to award $87,358 in grant funds to fourteen organizations and $5,000 to five individual artists | |
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The following ten 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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Al Opland Singers of Pipestone have been awarded $6,890 for their 45th season, including a Christmas show, "Finding the Hope of Christmas" and a Spring show, "Ways Of Peace". Grant funds will help with production costs such as costumes, artistic and technical staff stipends, rental of the Pipestone Performing Arts Center, and advertising.
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AMP (Arts & Mentoring Project) of Pipestone were awarded $7,000 for their production of the holiday favorite "Scrooge! The Musical". The production will create opportunities for adult and youth actors, utilize a live orchestra, and employ approximately 20 paid creative and technical staff people.
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Hutchinson Center for the Arts was awarded $3,405 for their 2024 exhibition series featuring the work of six artists from across the state, a community artists and makers showcase, a youth art show, an exhibition for artists and makers with disabilities and mental health challenges, and a winter craft boutique.
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Madison Healthcare Services has been awarded $7,000 to transform a hallway in their facility (used by hospital patients, care center residents, family members, staff, and walking community members) into a gallery, purchasing 3 to 4 pieces with a "rural Minnesota" theme from each of 13 local artists.
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The Meander Art Crawl was awarded $7,000 for their three-day tour of artists' studios and galleries around the communities of Clinton, Ortonville, Appleton, Danvers, Madison, Milan, Dawson, Montevideo, and Granite Falls. This free event allows attendees to visit over 40 local artists in their own environment.
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Prairie Arts Chorale of Marshall has been awarded $5,350 for their fall concert titled "The Seven Ages of Man". It will present music, both classic and contemporary, that explores the stages of our lives, including music of childhood, adolescence, middle age, old age, and death.
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Preserve Appleton's Heritage was awarded $7,000 for a public art project to paint large portraits of each of the men from Appleton who lost their lives in the wars. These will be mounted on posts in a grassy area on the highway, along with historical street signs with the names of the men (each Appleton street is named after one of these men).
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Southwest Minnesota Orchestra of Marshall has been awarded $6,850 for their fall concerts (Marshall & Minneapolis) that will explore the struggle that classical composers Smetana, Schumann, Schubert, and Beethoven dealt with regarding both physical and mental disabilities. The concerts also mark conductor Dr. Daniel Rieppel's 25th anniversary with the orchestra.
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The Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra was awarded $7,000 for two concerts, "Mysterious Orchestra" in October 2023 with narrator Anton Switajewski, and including a special performance for area elementary students; and "Viennese Connoisseurs" January 2024 with soloists Pitnarry Shin (cello), Kyu-Young Kim (violin), and Orion Kim (piano).
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The Worthington Area Symphony Orchestra has been awarded $7,000 for a November 2023 concert entitled "Dance Revolution!", an exciting package of flashy, fun, fiery, and famous orchestral dance tunes. A clarinet duo featured on the second half and holiday tunes at the end of the concert will round out this event with something for everyone to enjoy.
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The following four organizations have been awarded 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.
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Buffalo Ridge Chorale of Hendricks has been awarded $2,500 for their final concert in October 2023, with area singers invited to join the Chorale.
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The City of Granite Falls was awarded $2,500 for a pilot project by its new Main Street Beautification Committee to replace ailing trees with a combination of mosaic planters and wrought iron enclosures for new trees. The metal work will be done by local artisan blacksmith Talon Cavendar-Wilson.
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Montevideo Community Education was awarded $1,057 for an after-school youth art club for two different age groups. Each group will have an opportunity to participate in three 2-hour sessions filled with unique art activities with artist SammyJo Miller.
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The following five artists were 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. | |
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Above: Artist work sample from Josette Jones
Below: Confetti bowl from artist Leasa Thompson
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Above: Artist samples from Priscilla Gruendemann
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Priscilla Gruendemann of Morton was awarded $1,000 to make 20 ribbon skirts to be given to community members and relatives for ceremonial purposes.
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Josette Jones of Morton has been awarded $1,000 for a sewing machine to create new styles of her Dakota ribbon apparel and to teach this traditional artform to young artists.
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Bobbie Alsgaard Lien of Rushmore was awarded $1,000 for creating two large 3-dimensional stretched canvas boxes with painted panels, topped with plexiglass to act as end tables. Her artistic vision for this work is to challenge herself to create a harmonious artistic flow on 3d paintings, delight the viewer, and create a utilitarian painting.
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Andrew Nordin of New London has been awarded $1,000 for materials to build a filtered ventilation system in his studio, along with golden acrylic paints and an upgraded HVLP spray paint gun.
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Leasa Thompson of Madison was awarded $1,000 for expanding her ceramic practice by using glazes to replicate Scandinavian sweater designs on bowls. She will purchase replacement parts for her kiln as well as clay and glaze from a Minnesota based company.
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Pictured: Two left paintings are by Ana Serrano, the painting to the right is by Rosa Maria Cerda Rodriguez
In the Gallery: Ana Serrano & Rosa Maria Cerda Rodriguez
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Help SMAC welcome our next gallery artists, Ana Serrano of Willmar and Rosa Maria Cerda Rodriguez of Windom! This dual exhibit will be in the SMAC Gallery in downtown Marshall at 509 West Main Street September 6th through October 25, 2023. Ana and Rosa both received SMAC Artist Equity grants in 2022.
The SMAC gallery is open weekdays 9 am to 12 pm and 1-4 pm. If you would like to view the exhibit outside of these times, please email info@swmnarts.org.
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Gallery Events
- In-Person Artists Reception
Wednesday, September 6th, 5-7 pm
- Virtual Artist Talk & Reception
Thursday, August 3rd at 5:30 pm
Join Zoom Call
Meeting ID: 849 1376 6476
Passcode: 415122
| Painting by Rosa Maria Cerda Rodriguez | |
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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SMAC's Arts in the Schools grants now have a monthly deadline instead of 2-3 rounds a year-that means there's more flexibility in when you can apply! Arts in the Schools grants provide public schools with up to $4,000 for projects such as artist residencies, arts field trips, juried student art exhibits, etc. Click on the link to learn more! | |
SMAC is teaming up with Merryweather Farms for the Redwood Arty Party & 4th Annual Rural Arts Reveal! | | |
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Join SMAC for our Arty Party in Redwood County! We are holding the Arty Party in conjunction with the Rural Arts Reveal at Merryweather Farms, located at 14888 Bunker Ave in Walnut Grove. The date is Sunday, September 17th-the Rural Arts Reveal goes from 2 pm to 10 pm-SMAC staff will be there from 4-7 pm, so join us for some casual networking between arts supporters! | |
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The Arts Reveal is described as "a casual late-summer afternoon get-together curated by artists, musicians & poets where everyone is welcome"! At 6 pm there is a potluck supper (please bring a lawn chair and feel free to bring a dish to pass), plates and utensils will be provided. If you want to be involved as a volunteer or artist at the event, contact Sunny Ruthchild at sunnyruthchild@gmail.com. There will be brewery trucks giving samples (non-alcoholic options also available).
As with all of SMAC's Arty Parties, this will be an awesome opportunity to network with local arts supporters. From 4-7 pm SMAC staff will be available to answer questions, listen to the arts needs in the community, and share who SMAC is and what they can do for the arts in Southwest Minnesota! Come p(ART)y with us! Click here to learn more about the Rural Arts Reveal Event.
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What's next? Look forward to hearing news of our Swift Arty Party just recently scheduled for OCTOBER 5 -- with Jessica Mata teaching a free class in watercolor! To keep up to date on all our upcoming events and opportunities, stay tuned to our social media (SMAC Facebook & SMAC Instagram), as well as the SMAC Website! | |
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Upcoming In-Person Grant Info Session in Slayton
Join us on Thursday, September 21st from 7 to 8 pm at the Murray County Historical Museum, 2480 29th St, Slayton, MN. (With treats from The Plaid Moose!)
Learn about SW MN Arts Council (SMAC) grant opportunities for the coming 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
This session is free, but registration is preferred: Slayton Grant Info Session Registration
This location does not require the use of stairs and has an accessible bathroom. 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
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Looking forward: Will a SMAC grant session be coming to your town?
In-person grant info sessions are being planned for Kerkhoven, Fairfax, and Montevideo. To keep up to date on all our upcoming sessions, watch for our emails and stay tuned to our social media (SMAC Facebook & SMAC Instagram), as well as the SMAC Website! For more assistance options, visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page.
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Upcoming Virtual Grant Workshops
visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page for more info
**Workshops are free, but registration is required**
Monday, September 18, 7-8 pm
Virtual SMAC Grants Q&A Session (Register Here)
Get questions answered about any of our grant programs or your project ideas.
Thursday, November 2, Noon (12)-1 pm
Public Art Grants (Register Here)
Learn about SMAC's Public Art grants, available to cities, organizations and Tribal Nations.
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, March 7, 7-8 pm
Virtual SMAC Grants Q&A Session (Registration coming soon)
Get questions answered about any of our grant programs or your project ideas.
Thursday, February 15, 5:30-6:30 pm
Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grants (Registration coming soon)
Available to students entering grades 5 through 12.
**Workshops are free, but registration is required**
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Other options for Grant Assistance:
Visit SMAC's Workshop & Assistance page
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 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, September 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.
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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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SMAC is seeking representatives from three counties to serve on our board of directors: McLeod, Murray 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 three 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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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! 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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Lets work together to create a robust arts calendar for our region!! | |
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City of Madison Grand Park Mural
Two SMAC staff members recently visited with arts organizations in Madison, and while they were there, visited the site of a mural in progress at Grand Park. See further progress here. Lac qui Parle SMAC board representative Kris Shelstad poses with a fellow member of the Madison Arts Council in front of the partial mural, while artist Jacqui Rosenbush and assistant Kendra Kallevig, continue work on the mural in the back. This project was made possible by a SMAC Art Legacy Project Grant (now called SMAC Public Art Grants).
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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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!
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Memberships
From July 29 to August 29, 2023
Contributors: Ray & Alice Thull, Lucan • KLQP-FM, Madison • Lac qui Rarle Historical Society, Madison • A to Z Letterpress Printing (Andy Kahmann), Montevideo • Ramona Larson, Redwood •Dr Bryan & Susan Nelson, Redwood Falls •
Supporters: Buffalo Ridge Chorale, Hendricks • Judy Beckman, Ortonville • Reggie Gorter, Pipestone • Valerie Quist, Tracy • Anna Johannsen, Windom •
Sustainers: Glen & Jackie Herfurth, Montevideo •
Other donations: John Voit, Ghent • Gillian Singler, Lakefield •
| NEW: SMAC Members will get an "I Love Rural Arts" Sticker! (pictured left) | THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS! | |
2023 SW MN Arts Council BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |
Big Stone - Judy Beckman
Jackson - Gillian Singler
Lincoln - Mark Wilmes
Meeker - Darlene Kotelnicki
Pipestone - Erica Volkir
Rock - Shawn Kinsinger
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Chippewa - M E (Maggie) Fuller
Kandiyohi - Ana Serrano
Lyon - Dr. Erin Kline
Murray - OPEN
Redwood - David KelseyBassett
Swift - Jessica Mata
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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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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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