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Northwest Minnesota Arts Council News

The Latest in Regional Arts Opportunities

Exhibits, Grants, Announcements, Events, Trainings, Calls for Art, Awards, & More!

October 16 Grant Writing Session at 4 PM
October 31 Grant deadline for Organizations
November 4 Grant Writing Session for Individuals
November 15 Grant deadline for Individual Artists
December 2 Deadline to Submit Art for Around the Farm Exhibit

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

Check out the current NWMAC Gallery exhibit

Immersed in Color, Inspired by Culture

Open Through Monday, November 25

Featuring the Artwork of Shawna Boulette Grapentine

with

Joan Kauppi, Therese Masters Jacobson, & Candace Sam

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery

Northland Community and Technical College

1101 State Highway 1, Thief River Falls

Artist Reception TBA

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Immersed in Color Inspired by Culture an exhibit open through November 25. This colorful exhibit includes 29 pieces of art created by four artists in acrylic, watercolor, beading, collage, and an award-winning hockey stick design.

NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett explained, "Our latest exhibit features three Native American Minnesota artists and one non-Native artist. It's a fantastic display of multifaceted creativity. Acrylic, watercolor, beading, mixed media, and college are all part of this unique exhibit."

You won't want to miss this incredible exhibit open through November 25 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Details about an artist reception will be announced soon. Watch our website and social media pages for details about the time and date.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Artist Shawna Boulette Grapentine is a Cree-Ojibway from the Metis community of Manigotagan and is a member of the Hollow Water First Nation. She is known for using silhouettes of nature and vibrant colors in her custom paintings. Shawna’s artwork highlights the beauty of the indigenous culture, her love for mother earth and everything that surrounds her. She is the featured artist in this exhibit.

Candace Sam is from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and White Fish Bay First Nations, Ontario. Her mixed media piece in the exhibit is a replica of a drum and is untitled.

Therese Masters Jacobson of Alvarado has four watercolor and two acrylic portraits. Therese said, "My paintings and drawings are usually water-based acrylics, watercolor, or pen and ink."

Joan Kauppi is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation and is an Anishinaabe woman and businesswoman. She explained that her collage pieces in the exhibit are esemplastic -- having the ability to shape diverse elements or concepts into a unified whole. “The pieces I create are simple, often pairing opposing scale, different eras, backgrounds and focal points. The transformation of merging images changes the story through simplicity.”

Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at youtu.be/UxaVpsctorQ

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8 - 5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Please call to make sure the college is open before making a special trip. Hours can change. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.

For more information about this exhibit, visit our website at NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 280-4917 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.

Experience the exhibit virtually

Above:Images of Immersed in Color, Inspired by Culture exhibit at the NWMAC Gallery at NCTC.

Attention Regional Artists -- Call for Art

FREE services offered in our office space!

Did you know that we offer free services in our office space?

We have an audio recording room, a grant writing station, meeting rooms, a photography room, and an enhanced art gallery that you are free to use at no cost!

Read more about Services in our office

Our 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.

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

Applications Open Apply Now

October 31 Deadline for Organizations

November 15 Deadline for Artist Grants for Individuals

October 31 is the grant deadline for nonprofits and government organizations. Organizations can apply for one arts project at a time and 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. Don't forget public art!

Applications are also open for Individual Artist Grants. 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. Individual Artist Grants provide financial assistance for the exhibition, performance, or production of a specific creative work, mentoring with a more experienced artist, participation in not-for-credit arts experiences.

To be eligible you must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age and reside in the 7 county NW Minnesota region. College tuition is not an eligible expense.

Individual Artist Grants for either $1,500 or $5,000 have an annual deadline of November 15. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.

Quick turnaround grants for $500 are available on an ongoing deadline -- first come, first served. 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.

Grant writing session October 16 at 4 PM

There will be a grant writing session on October 16 at 4 PM to help you write your grant or answer any questions. You can attend via Zoom or at our office in Warren -- RSVPs are required.

Schools in our seven-county region can also apply 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.

In addition, there is Arts Equipment funding for school districts available up to $3,000 with 25% cash match required

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.

To learn more about grant programs and start an application visitwww.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. Stay tuned for its return.

Let's Talk Art Podcast

Our podcast radio program is currently on hiatus. But don't worry. The weekly podcast will be returning shortly! We plan to continue to feature artists, arts organizations, and arts events in our region. Watch our facebook page, website, or this newsletter for announcements. To hear all of the past podcasts visit our website here.

Listen to interviews of our recent Of the Year Awardees:

Rom Ogaard The tables turned for this podcast. Pioneer 90.1 Radio Host Ron West (also known as Rom Ogaard), was interviewed by Promotions Specialist Kristin Eggerling. Ogaard is the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year Award. Ogaard has been a radio host at KSRQ 90.1 radio at Northland Community and Technical College and is retiring at the end of the month. As Ron West, he has partnered with the NWMAC to offer a weekly radio segment that promotes artists, the arts, and arts organizations. He also has segments that feature the Campbell Library in East Grand Forks, and the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks. These radio programs have brought news and information about the arts to our region and beyond and highlighted our regional artists. Listen here to learn what Rom has learned about the arts and much more!

Randy Larson Gatzke Musician Randy Larson is the Northwest Artist of the Year for Music. Larson sings and plays bass guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and lead guitar. He also writes music. Randy was 17 when he and a quartet from high school began The Back Behind the Barn Boys. The Barn Boys, their abridged title, added drums, piano, and guitar after a year. The Barn Boys hit the road full time touring 23 states and 3 provinces. With one 45 record, 2 albums and a CD, Randy and the band played with or fronted many national acts. Randy has played in other bands, as well. He currently performs with Eagle Creek (with his sons and others). Listen here to learn more and hear some Back Behind the Barn Boys music!

Betsy Saurdiff Grygla Artist Betsy Saurdiff is receiving the NW Star Award, a lifetime achievement award. Congrats, Betsy! She's a retired visual arts (and German) teacher in the Grygla and Goodridge School districts. Betsy is a well-known potter in our region and sells her work out of her studio and at art shows. Listen to hear more, including making pottery, getting grants, and arts council support! Listen here.

The Traveling Art Exhibit

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC)'s annual Traveling Art Exhibit is at the Godel Public Library in Warren until November 19 and includes 14 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit.

Adults

Beau Bakken, Classy Entertainment
Kelly Chisholm, John Lennon
Tammy Hansen, Flower and Feather
Denise Jenson, Found Lying Together
Steve Bernard, Candlelight Dinner
Sarah Solberg, Canyon X
Jessica Ross, Sunny

Students

Izzy Swensen, Lancaster, Purple Iris
Kerstyn Lindsey, Ada, Sprinkles
Brigitta Novacek, Roseau, The Pink Cloud Replica
Geneva Gartner,Fertile, Flying Around
Mary Jane Crane, Red Lake Falls, Beauty in Self Image
Ava Halvorson, Goodridge, Sundown in Star Township
Kinsley Oslund, Grygla, Perfect and Deep Love

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

May - June 11 Crookston Public Library

June 11 - August 6 Warroad Public Library

Aug 6 - Sept 24 Hallock Public Library

Sept 24 - Nov 19 Godel Public Library, Warren

Nov 19 - Jan 21 Thief River Falls Public Library

Jan 21 - Mar 4, 2025 Red Lake Falls Public Library

March 4, 2025 to TBD Ada Public Library

*The start and end dates at each location are approximate, depending on weather, venue hours and other circumstances that may occur to prohibit travel. For specific library hours, please contact each location before planning your visit, especially if you are planning on bringing a group.

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.

Thief River Falls Artist Jessica Lundeen is featured in one of our display cases outside our gallery at NCTC. Her artwork includes pet portraits in colored pencil. Stop by to see!

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

Check out this display case featuring Visual artists and Folk musicians Erin O'Neil and Jeanne O'Neil's art including Erin's recently completed book, Twenty of Plenty, in which twenty of her original fiddle tunes are transcribed, prints from a series of sketches made over the past summers on Jeanne’s land, and Rag Folk pieces created by Erin.

Grant writing training will be offered 2 weeks before each deadline ... The next training is October 16 at 4PM. Reach out if you need help!

The McKnight Foundation offers numerous fellowships for artists. 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

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!

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Work of Art Workshops by Springboard for the Arts

Work of Art Workshops

Check out Springboard’s series of Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists! This professional development curriculum is designed to teach business skills to artists of all disciplines and experience levels. You are welcome to take the entire series, or take the workshops that best suit your needs. Workshops range from creating your artistic portfolio, grant writing, funding, career planning, pricing your work, and more! The Work of Art series has been taught by Springboard for the Arts at arts organizations, libraries and colleges in over 80 communities in the Upper Midwest, and replicated across the country by artists, arts organizations, and colleges and universities. You can also download the Work of Art curriculum for free, or you can buy a copy of the book to support your practice.

Explore Work of Art

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 NWMAC is looking for an at-large board member to serve a 3 year term.

At this time, we are prioritizing the recruitment of men and people of color, in order to keep diversity on our board and learn from members who represent different demographics. A love of supporting artists and arts activity is a must, as well as basic computer skills to attend zoom meetings and score online applications.

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.

Student Artwork Hanging in Senator Johnson's Office

Five exhibit pieces of student art were chosen to be hung in the hallway of Senator Mark Johnson’s office in St. Paul. These works of art were entered into the annual NW Art Exhibit that took place in Lake Bronson earlier this spring.

Students and their work include Lydia Christianson of Fertile “Omaha Jellyfish,” Kyleigh Halvorson of Fosston “Iris” (merit), Carter Lee Johnsrud of Goodridge “A Broken Heart,” Dana Brown of Lancaster, (Kittson Central) “Jesse and Walt”(People's Choice), and Melody Voeltz, of Lancaster “Barred Owl.”

North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance

All ages/ Families/ Couples/ Singles — Come one and all!

All dances taught, no experience needed.

Saturday, October 26th

2:00 to 4:30 PM

East Grand Forks Senior Center

538 Rhinehart Dr. SE, East Grand Forks

Music by Tickwood String Band ( Fergus Falls)

Caller: Jeanne O'Neil

Free will donation at the door

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund. For more information: northcountrydance.org

The East Grand Forks Campbell Library

422 4th St NW, East Grand Forks

Autumn Colors Art Exhibit

Exhibit Opening: Mon, Sept 9 @ 6:30 pm

Exhibit dates: Sept 9 - Oct 25

Stop in to enjoy selected works from the River Forks Watercolor Society.

Upcoming events at the

North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks

Sat, Oct 26 10 AM – Noon Family Day: Halloween-themed art activities for all
Sat, November 9, 2024, 6:30 PM Autumn Art Auction: Fine arts live auction

NWMAC Staff spoke with Portrait Gallery Artists Jessica Lundeen, Heidi Danis, and Therese Jacobson recently. You can watch the recording here. Kristin and Trey also spoke with Pamela Edevold about her portraits in the Portrait Gallery, as well as other topics. Watch the recording here. Watch our Facebook page and website for an announcement of the Artist Spotlight with the artists from the Immersed in Color Exhibit.

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Radio/Podcast Program is on hiatus.

Stay tuned for the return of our program on

Pioneer 90.1FM

Email Kristin Eggerling

The podcast of the interviews on our website. This is a great way to promote your art! Listen to past interviews here!

Visit our Website

Check out the current NWMAC Gallery exhibit

Attention Regional Artists -- Call for Art

FREE services offered in our office sp﻿ace!

Did you know that we offer free services in our office space?

Work of Art Workshops by Springboard for the Arts

FREE services offered in our office space!