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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!

January 31 Nominations Due for Of the Year Awards
February 11 at 4 PM Grant Writing Training Session
February 28 Grant Deadline for Organizations
February 28 NW Art Exhibit Submissions Due

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

Artists of Northwest Minnesota 6th edition is here!

Featuring artists, performers, and

arts businesses & organizations in our region

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council publishes a directory every 3 years that 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. This resource allows you to connect with and find local artists and their products, as well as businesses that support the arts. Our goal is to assist creative people, organizations, and businesses to flourish in our area.

As you know, our region is home to talented writers, visual artists, performance artists, fiber artists, sculptors, 3D artists, photographers, mosaic artists, printmakers, jewelers, metal artists, wood carvers, and more. The booklet helps you find them. This edition of the booklet includes a new section of performing artists, including musicians who play in our area.

Artists of NW Minnesota was designed by Kat Allen of Warroad and edited by NWMAC Promotions Specialist Kristin Eggerling and Executive Director Mara Hanel with funding from the McKnight Foundation.

Pick up a copy of this directory at no cost at your local library, coffee shop, or other businesses in our region. To view the booklet online visit https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/artists-of-nw-minnesota-booklet

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!

Nominations for Of the Year Awards Due Friday, January 31 — Deadline Extended

Start your application now!

Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Often people serve in both roles. Nominations are due Friday, January 31 this year.

Northwest Star Award

The Northwest Star Award is a lifetime achievement award. This award is for $5,000 and can be a wonderful gift to those who have chosen a hard career path related to artistic expression. Artists can only receive this award once.

Artist of the Year

Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500 to use however they see fit.

Arts Advocate of the Year

Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and honors someone who keeps being a voice and advocate for arts within the community or local school or the region. Arts includes all disciplines.

An ELIGIBLE NOMINATION must include one completed nomination form, narrative on merit, letters supporting the nomination, a copy of the nominee’s resume or detailed qualifications, five work samples if artist, and be received by January 31. Only residents of the Minnesota counties Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau are eligible for these $500 awards. We also give a large Northwest Star Artist award. The first step is to nominate the person for Northwest Artist. One person will be selected to receive a $5,000 cash award from the pool of candidates and receive our Northwest Star recognition. This person must be beyond an emerging or student status to be considered. This truly is a once in a lifetime award. Additional criteria apply so please contact our office for more information if you feel your nominee will be considered 218-745-8886.

RESTRICTIONS: Each award can be received only once in a lifetime. Nominations will not be carried over from year to year. Previous nominees must be re-nominated each year. It is the policy of NWMAC that nominees will not be notified of their nomination unless they are chosen to receive an Award.

* * * * * * * *

Please consider nominating someone who you view as a deserving candidate from our seven-county service area in northwestern Minnesota. Questions? Contact our office at (218) 745-8886 or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org for more information. The nomination form is here. Curious who has received these awards in the past? Find out here.

Awards are presented at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Exhibit reception. Funding for Northwest Star and Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Funding for Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.

AROUND THE FARM ART EXHIBIT

Opening the Week of January 13 at the

Carnegie Library, 102 Main Ave N, Thief River Falls

Watch our website and social media for opening day and details

Once open the core hours will be Mondays & Fridays from 10 AM - 2 PM and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 8-11 AM. It will be open during the Frostbite Festival January 24-26 when the Chamber of Commerce office is open.

"WE HAVE NEGLECTED THE TRUTH THAT A GOOD FARMER IS A CRAFTSMAN OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, A KIND OF ARTIST." - WENDELL BERRY

FEATURED ARTIST BEAU BAKKEN OF HALLOCK

Including artists Debra Aune, Rock Bakken, Aimee Ross, Betsy Saurdiff, Stephanie Olson, Jessica Ross, Cindy Kolling, Aliza Novacek-Olson, Therese Jacobson, Ross Hier and Kate Hammer

Mediums include pen and ink, fiber arts, acrylic, watercolor, oil, ceramics, mixed medium and more

Farming is more than a job or a career. It is fundamental to our community's way of life, part of our region's cultural identity and history, and deeply rooted in where and how we live, work, and play.

This art exhibit celebrates farm life and farming and will highlight the importance of agriculture in the lives of residents of our northwest Minnesota region through art. Art is around the theme of farms, farming, farm machinery, harvest, farmland, agricultural heritage, farm animals, and farm life.

Let's Talk Art is our weekly radio interview and podcast with host Phil McKenzie

Let's Talk Art Podcast

Our podcast radio program is back! We plan to continue to feature artists, arts organizations, and arts events in our region. To hear all of the past podcasts visit our website here.

12.4 John Davis. Warroad RiverPlace Executive Director John Davis spoke about his arts background and the new arts facility. The space is a multi-purpose facility with an arts classroom, gallery, theater, events center, video wall, exhibit space, and more. Visit warroadriverplace.org to see the schedule of events. Listen hear.

12.11 Aaron Espe. Roseau native and Nashville singer Aaron Espe plays the guitar and writes music. In December he played in Thief River Falls, Roseau, and Lancaster. He spoke about his path to his musical career and offered advice and thoughts for aspiring musicians. Many of his songs have northern Minnesota themes. Listen to the conversation and a song of his here.

12.18 Sue Gens Minnesota State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens explained the arts systems in Minnesota, specifically the state Arts Board, the regional arts councils, funding for artists, and much more. Sue shares her extensive knowledge about grant programs, resources, opportunities, and how best to utilize the system. Listen here.

The Traveling Art Exhibit

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC)'s annual Traveling Art Exhibit is at the Thief River Falls Public Library in Warren until January 21 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 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.”

Work of Art: Time Management

Tuesday, January 21

6:00-8:30pm Virtual (Zoom)

FREE

Discover analytical and tool-based approaches to manage your time. These tools will help you tackle hurdles related to efficiency, flexibility, and structure to help you reach your artistic goals.

Ask Me Anything: Preserving Your Artistic Legacy Through an Artist Archive

Thursday, January 23

6:30-7:30pm Virtual (Zoom)

FREE

Archivists Ego Ahaiwe Sowinskiand Alexandra Nicome will explore practical archiving techniques artists can easily implement in their studios, and examine the role of preservation in career development and legacy planning.

McCanna House Artist-in-residence Application Now Open

Open to Artists in Music, Theatre, Literature, & Visual Arts

The North Dakota Museum of Art is accepting applications for the 2025 McCanna House Artist-in-residence season. Artists working in music, theatre, literature, or the visual arts are encouraged to apply. Open to artists in all stages of their career.

The residency consists of 2 - 4 week blocks of time layered throughout the operating year. The house is open from June 1 through the end of September or early October. There will only be one artist on the property at a time unless a group project is specified in the application process. There are no expectations for the artist to complete work during the residency. However, artists are asked to use their time wisely and be aware of the transformative potential of time spent there.

Applications are accepted until January 15, 2025. Visit ndmoa.com/artist-residency/ to apply and learn more.

North Country Fiddle and Dance

Community Dance

Saturday, January 25, 2025

3 to 5:30 PM

Bernie's Restaurant, 121 DeMers Ave.

East Grand Forks, MN

Music by O'Neil Family Band

Caller: Jeanne O'Neil

All ages – singles, couples, families

Traditional American folk dances : Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...

all dances are taught, fun, and easy to learn!

Donations at the door

This is an after hours event. Bernie's closes at 3 PM. If you would like to eat, come early!

Artist Reception & Warroad RiverPlace Gallery Open House

January 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM

Visit the exhibit “Repurpose, Preserve, Rejuvenate,” at a gallery open house and artist reception for northwest Minnesota mosaic creator Sherri Kruger-Kukowski on Saturday, January 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.

The public is invited to view the art, meet the artist, and socialize over light refreshments at this free event.

The exhibit is open at the Warroad RiverPlace art gallery from January 10 to March 8, 2025. It is free to visit Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM.

For more information about Warroad RiverPlace and upcoming events, visit the new arts, culture, and events center Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM. to 5 PM. The art gallery and tours of the space are free and open to the public. Contact the center at arts@warroadriverplace.org or (218) 986-0001. Learn more at warroadriverplace.org.