Pictured: Artist Travis Mizuhata taking part in the Dassel Art Tour, which received a SMAC Art Project Grant in fiscal year 2022.

The following five organizations have been awarded SMAC Equipment & Facilities Improvement grants. These grants provide up to $10,000 to arts organizations for the purchase of equipment items and facilities improvements that will strengthen the organization’s capacity to serve the arts needs of the SMAC region.

The following two 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. 

The following artist was awarded a SMAC Artist Equity grant. These grants provide up to $4,000 to aid Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color with projects that will advance their skills and artistic career.

Did you know we award an outstanding Arts Supporter in our region every year with $1,000?! And we can't give the award without nominations FROM YOU, letting us know who is the biggest arts cheerleader and supporter you know. So, we want to know: Who would YOU gift with $1,000 for being an outstanding arts supporter? This person is an arts supporter; they can be a teacher or artist, but the award is not limited to that!

The Prairie Disciple Award for $1,000 provides awareness and recognition of one individual per year from southwest Minnesota, whose activities and involvement have substantially contributed to the arts over an extended period of time. The accomplishments of arts advocates working in the region are often not widely known or appreciated. In recognizing these individuals publicly, the awards will raise the profile of the arts in their community and throughout the SMAC region. Nominations require letters of recognition from community members and peers. Start your nomination today!

Please help SMAC welcome our next gallery artists, the duo of Andrew & Molly Rivera of Hutchinson, both ceramicists. Andrew received a Quick Support for Artists grant and an Advanced Artist Fellowship grant, both in 2022. Molly received a Quick Support for Artists grant in 2022. The Rivera's said that the "Marigolds & Thistle" exhibit is a celebration of lived experience, heritage, identity, and personal narrative. The title is a reference to the flowers that symbolize each artist as individuals, and the process of self-discovery as they transition through seasons of life.

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.

Meeting ID: 849 1376 6476

Passcode: 415122

Andrew Rivera

This body of work is representative of my Mexican heritage and personal culture. My work is inspired by pre-columbian forms, 19th century Mexican printmakers, and personal experience. I reference pre-columbian forms as a connection to my ancestors and to bring to light a deeply misunderstood aspect of history. Printmakers like Jose Guadalupe Posada and Manuel Manilla were a very important aspect of Mexican history. They used imagery to inform a largely illiterate population and helped propel the Mexican revolution. My use of skeleton imagery is rooted in my culture, a reference to these pivotal printmakers, and a caricaturization of death. Mexican culture looks at death very differently than American culture. Death is recognized and embraced by Mexico but feared and not spoken of in the United States. I have struggled with anxiety related to death and this work functions to connect myself and others with Mexican ideals surrounding it. My experience as a Mexican American has informed my work. With this background, food and family are valued highly. My forms are inspired by history, but also by the food and experiences shared in a contemporary setting.

Molly Rivera

My work explores the objects that adorn our homes and carry meaning through the stories, experiences, and memories that they evoke. The forms I create are inspired by the items that surround us in our everyday life as well as family heirlooms - the objects that are passed down through generations. Much of my imagery stems from my daily lived experiences - the flowers that come up in my garden in Spring or the critters that run past my screen door every morning as the sun rises. I am also inspired by the imagery and history of folktales. Much like our familial objects, folktales were passed down through generations and celebrated day-to-day experiences of humanity. When form and imagery combine, my work highlights the ways we imbue our personal objects with meaning to preserve our stories and memories, informing our personal narratives.

Suree Sompamitwong of Adrian will be exhibiting in the SMAC gallery in May & June. Suree received a SMAC Artist Equity grant in 2022 to work on a multimedia sculpture. More details about her exhibit and reception dates coming from us soon!

Pictured: "The Caged Bird" multimedia painting

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.

Join SMAC, area artists, arts organizations and general art-loving public together for a networking event in Pipestone County! The event will go from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Hiawatha Lodge. This is a free event (aside from cash bar option) catered by the Hatfield Roadhouse! Arts entertainment to be determined, but no matter what, this will be an awesome opportunity to network with local arts supporters! Details will be shared soon on our social media: SMAC Facebook & SMAC Instagram, as well as the SMAC Website.

Where will we be next month? Look forward to hearing news of our Renville Arty Party for May! To keep up to date on all our upcoming Arty Parties, stay tuned to our social media (SMAC Facebook & SMAC Instagram), as well as the SMAC Website!

It's that time of year again! Join SMAC and artists from across Southwest Minnesota for 1 & 1/2 days of networking and arts inspiration for our annual Artist Retreat on May 5th & 6th! Workshop sessions have been created to appeal to artists of many disciplines. The retreat will once again be held at Danebod Folk School in Tyler, MN for a “get-away” learning atmosphere. Overnight accommodations are available, but not required; you can choose to come for one or both days! Friday evening we'll have an arts performance that will be free and open to the public! Plus the networking between fellow artists is a must-attend reason. JOIN THE FUN!! More details will continue to be added to our schedule, be sure to watch for updates through our emails, registration page, social media (Facebook & Instagram) and our website.

Community mural created at last years' SMAC Artist Retreat!

Example of Mixed Media Layering

Department of Public Transformation (DoPT), in partnership with Southwest Minnesota Regional Arts Council, will offer an Introduction to Civic Arts Workshop and Networking Event for artists and municipalities interested in learning more about the role of artists working in the civic realm in rural communities. This workshop will include an introduction to Civic Arts Presentation by DoPT staff, feature a conversation with a guest Civic Artist, an opportunity to workshop civic arts ideas for your community, access to a Civic Arts Resource Hub and time to network with other folks in the region interested in civic arts.

This event is FREE, but we request you register so we know how many participants to plan for. Register for the Intro to Civic Arts Public Session Now!

M E (Maggie) Fuller resides in Montevideo and is the author of 2 works of fiction, a writing coach, visual artist, public speaker and community organizer. Maggie worked as a graphic designer and art director in Minneapolis for over 30 years until she moved to Montevideo, where she now works on her art in her home studio. In 2021 Maggie was the recipient of a SMAC Individual Artist grant and turned her artistic practice to abstract expressionism. She has also been a Minnesota State Arts Board and Five Wings Arts Council grantee for her writing practice. Since moving to Montevideo, Maggie has been active in local arts and as a SMAC board representative for Chippewa county, she has already started to support and encourage Chippewa artists by creating a Facebook page specifically for Chippewa County Artists! If you're an artist in Chippewa County, Maggie would love to connect and start discussions on what's needed to enhance the arts community in Chippewa County. Contact her at mefuller.arts@gmail.com or 218-839-4215. Southwest Minnesota Arts Council is so glad to have Maggie on our board to help support our Chippewa arts community!

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.

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.

John will be helping SMAC with updating our Regional Arts Calendar, so look forward to a more robust offering of arts events listed there. And, if you've got an arts event happening anywhere in our 18-county region, email him the details (even a poster or photo!) at John@swmnarts.org. John will also be helping with hosting and scheduling duties at SMAC events, as well as taking pictures at SMAC events (look forward to more photos being shared on our social media!), keeping our Area Galleries page updated and making more connections for SMAC's area artists and arts organizations to fill in our regional Artist & Arts Organizations lists on the website.

John brings 12 years experience in hospitality and special event management, has experience in social media marketing and website maintenance, is a professional photographer and filmmaker, and has received multiple artists grants from SMAC and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

As a hybrid digital storyteller, I want my images, words, and video to depict the beauty I see all around me. Stories make life rich and I’m constantly in search of those thin threads that connect us all.

After a 30-year career in International Business, Academia and Philanthropy spanning more than 60 countries I’ve returned to my hometown in Minnesota to pursue my artistic inclinations. I’ve been fortunate to have received numerous grants and awards locally, regionally, and statewide. As a lifelong learner, I’m constantly learning new techniques and skillsets to enhance what I’m able to share with the world.

I’ve always loved photography having received my first camera when I was very young and over my lifetime, I’ve documented my experiences and travels behind the lens. My intentions are to share my work more broadly and to offer photographic services, cinematography and writing to individuals and organizations.

Pictured: SMAC Executive Director, Nicole DeBoer (left) and Communications Assistant, John Kellen (right) meeting with Senator Gary Dahms (center) during Arts Advocacy Week this year.

March 20-24th was a flurry of activity in and around the Minnesota State Capital as 400 + artists, educators, arts organizations, and supporters of the arts descended on St. Paul to lobby for arts funding in our state. Legislative leaders showed up to share updates on the C.R.E.A.T.E . Jobs Bill and to show support for the 47% arts share of the LEGACY Amendment.

Collectively we had over 100 meetings with legislators both in person and via video conference. SMAC representatives had eight meetings with our regional lawmakers outlining the importance of the arts in our region. We were able to share the impact overall in the eighteen counties we represent, and specific numbers based on individual constituencies.

This year new partnerships were forged with MNIVA- The Minnesota Independent Venue Alliance and the MN Humanities Center which amplified our ask at the Capital and added more advocates to our efforts. Partnerships are enhancing our strategy and access, thereby making the case for funding even stronger. Thank you to everyone who participated. We invite all SMAC artists, organizations and supporters to join us next year! If you want to learn more about any of the initiatives mentioned in this article, visit the Minnesota Citizens for the Ats Advocacy Webpage.

In March SMAC held the Nobles County Arty Party in Worthington! The even took place at the Worthington Memorial Performing Arts Center. What a beautiful venue, amazing food from Lupita's and Round Lake Winery, great attendance and company, and wonderful live music from the Great Plains String Quartet. The community arts activity, a community mural, lead by Gail Holinka, was also a big hit! Thanks for coming out and celebrating the arts in Nobles county with us!!

If you think you might apply for a grant for a large public art project this fall, now would be the best time to apply for a planning grant through our Quick Support for Organizations program. Apply on or before May 1st by 4:30 pm! Have questions? Visit the our website or schedule a time with our grants administrator Caroline Koska.

Application Deadline: 1st of the month August 2022 through May 2023 by 4:30 pm Request staff to review application before submission: One week before application deadline. Earliest project start date: 1st day of the following month (after submission).

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, April 11th. 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.

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

For more opportunities and resources be sure to check out our latest news posts (updated DAILY!) on SMAC's website

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!

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 news posts! Send us those, too!