• SMAC Awards $6,773 to local organizations and artists

• SMAC Awards 2023 Prairie Disciple

• In the SMAC Gallery

• Upcoming In-Person Grant Info Session in Luverne from SMAC & MN State Arts Board

• Rock County Arty Party

• Upcoming Virtual Grant Webinars

Pictured: Pitnarry Shin, cellist, performs at Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra concert, "Vive La France", for which they received a SMAC Art Project grant.

SMAC Awards $6,773 to local organizations & artists

The SMAC board voted on May 23 to award $5,000 in grant funds to two organizations and $1,773 to two individual artists

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 Granite Area Arts Council was awarded $2,500 to develop a new program to gather community engagement for feedback and evaluation at/from their regional festival titled "SquidFest". The program involves an interactive game that's played in response to text-based presets. The game will allow participants to not only leave feedback and be more engaged in the process, but also be an avenue of additional information about the local public art pieces and the art on the SquidFest's Art Walk.

• The Little Theatre Auditorium of New London has been awarded $2,500 to develop a community-centric fundraising strategy that they believe better aligns with their values and organizational mission. Funding will pay for trainings, a professional consultant to help devise and finalize a fundraising strategy, and coaching sessions as they put their plan into action.

The following two 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.

• Zachary Chilson of Hutchinson has been awarded $943 for a kiln ventilation system and installation for his ceramics studio. Vase by Zachary is pictured left.

• Sharla Bengtson of Wood Lake was awarded $830 to purchase photography equipment, such as new lenses, to enable her to continue photographing barns and churches. Sharla was recently featured as an emerging artist with her first gallery show and wants to continue.

SW MN Arts Council Awards $1,000 Award to local arts advocate

The SW MN Arts Council is pleased to announce Lee Kanten of Ortonville (Big Stone County) as the recipient of the 2023 Prairie Disciple Award!

The Prairie Disciple Award 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, SMAC believes these awards raise the profile of the arts in their community and throughout the 18-county SMAC region. The public is invited to join SMAC in publicly honoring Lee Kanten at our Annual Celebration of the arts and artists in our southwest Minnesota region. This Fall the celebration will be held in Tyler (Lincolon County) on Saturday, October 14th. Please watch the SMAC Website, SMAC Facebook and SMAC Instagram for more details!

After the nominations were evaluated and scored by the SMAC Board of Directors it was determined that Lee Kanten had the highest score for the Prairie Disciple Award. Lee’s nominator and supportors planned a surprise presentation of the award with SMAC Executive Director, Nicole DeBoer, on Thursday, May 11th at the Big Stone County Historical Museum (pictured above).

Lee's nominator, Jeanie Kanten (pictued with Lee above), explained that 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. Donating film production to organizations and artists began in 2015 when he produced “I Love Ortonville” for the hospital and chamber to showcase the features of their rural town. The hospital could not accept the work as pro bono, so Lee’s company donated their profits back to their foundation. Since then, Lee has given his production services willingly to create videos for area arts councils and other nonprofits, like the local food co-op. He uses his voice on KDIO radio co-hosting a weekly morning show where he grasps every opportunity to promote arts in our region. He frequently submits stories to the local newspaper for the Big Stone Art Council’s column, “Opening Doors.”

Lee received many letters of recommendation for this award from his community members; Sue Lockwood, coordinator for the Big Stone Lake Regional Art Crawl, said that Lee has organized many open mic opportunities for local musicians where it is evident that he learns "with joy from what other musicians bring to the stage, while also sharing his experience, skill and knowledge in a fun, lively and entertaining manner". She also shared that he teaches song-writing with younger generations, encouraging them to tap into their musical and writing abilities. He frequently volunteers his time to help organizations and events set up sound equipment, as well as volunteers his time to the Big Stone Arts Council as a member of their board. She said the non-profit likely would not have survived through the pandemic without Lee, but is surviving and thriving with new interest today because of his efforts in 2020 through 2022.

John White, local artist and photojournalist (and past Big Stone Board representative for the SMAC Board), wrote "It seems improbable that anyone can leave unhappy after hearing Lee play and sing". He continued, "there is no audience too small or too large...he brings joy to Care Centers, area schools, parties and places too numerous to count". While hosting a regular Wednesday night music in the park series, he attracted and encouraged area musicians throughout the Minnesota River Valley to join him on stage. With his professional filmmaking skills, Lee has helped John in making videos of his photography for presentations in college classrooms, the Minnesota Master Naturalist's Annual Gatherings, and more. John said of Lee, "he never seems to turn down an opportunity to help other artists." John recounted a slow art fair without much of a crowd, that is, until Lee came with a few friends to play music: "He can turn a slow afternoon into one of pure joy and jubilation!" John 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."

Maureen and Dan Stores of Ortonville wrote in a letter of support as well. They shared that during the pandemic, Lee invited friends to outdoor concerts outside in his front yard. The Stores said, after the enjoyment and success of performing at the local memory support group, Lee helped organize an adult Glee Club and the group now meets to sing and enjoy music and camaraderie. After learning to to write songs, Lee not only shared and performed the music, but taught the audience the process of writing songs. They said, "Lee is both a teacher and a student of the arts. He tirelessly promotes the regional arts with articles in the newspaper, radio, and on social media. He uses all his skills to promote arts events for local artists." They also agreed that Lee kept the Big Stone Arts Council alive through the pandemic (as many of the letters of support shared). Lee kept the group going with zoom meetings, made sure the organization kept their non-profit status by introducing a new rotating leadership model, and nudging a newly developing Ortonville Art for Kids group through the school to join in a partnership with the arts council to bridge generations of support.

Wanda Berry of Ortonville also wrote in with a letter of support for Lee's nomination. She said, "I have a special place in my heart for the singing he does at the nursing home and have been lucky enough to sing with him there. He has a heart for these seniors and brings music they know and can sing along with, as well as fun quizzes and much needed silliness. The smiles they wear make you know he has touched them, too!"

Jeanie Kanten ended her nomination by saying, "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 arts in our community".

Pictured from left to right: SMAC Big Stone County Board Representative Judy Beckman, SMAC Executive Director Nicole DeBoer, Nominator Jeanie Kanten and Maureen Stores.

We thank all the nominators and individuals who wrote letters of support, including for the nominees that were not able to be awarded this year; we had many exceptional and deserving candidates. We encourage nominators to try again in future rounds-the Prairie Disciple award will be awarded again in 2024, as it is awarded every year (in 2024 nominations will be limited to educators only, as it it every other year). Learn more about SMAC's Prairie Disciple Award. In 2024, SMAC will also award a Prairie Star Award, learn more here. Lee Kanten will be publicly awarded and celebrated at Southwest Minnesota Arts Council’s Annual Celebration this fall, being held in Tyler (Lincoln County). Keep your eyes open for details from us on this event!

In the Gallery: John Sterner's "Let My Prayer Rise Up"

SMAC's current gallery artist is SMAC's 2022/23 Prairie Star, John Sterner of Marshall. This exhibit, titled "Let My Prayer Rise Up", will be in the SMAC Gallery in downtown Marshall at 509 West Main Street through June 23rd, 2023. In addition to the high honor of being nominated SMAC's most recent Prairie Star award, John also received a SMAC Individual Artist Grant in 2021. This exhibit is comprised of ink and acrylic Lakota imagery on church bulletins. You can follow John's artistic journey on his Instagram @melauha or visit his website at johnknifesterner.com. To learn more about John and read his artist bio, visit SMAC's current Gallery Page.

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.

Watch a Virtual Tour of the "Let My Prayer Rise Up"

exhibit in the SMAC Gallery

NOTICE

SMAC Office & Gallery will be closed on the following upcoming days:



• June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday
• July 4th for Independence Day holiday
• July 13 & 14 for the Minnesota State Arts Board retreat taking place in Worthington

Upcoming In-Person Grant Info Session in Luverne from SMAC & MN State Arts Board

Join us on Thursday, June 15 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Palace Theatre, 104 E Main St in Luverne, MN. 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

Then hear from Annick Dall-Desbois, Outreach & Accessibility Coordinator for the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB), who will share information about MSAB grants for individuals and organizations. 

This session is free, but registration is preferred: Luverne Grant Info Session Registration 

Stick around for SMAC’s Rock County Arty Party with food, music, and arts networking from 7-8 pm (see more in the article below this). Annick and SMAC staff will be available to answer your questions throughout the evening.

This session is taking place at the Palace Theatre in Luvene, MN. This facility does not require the use of stairs to enter or use restrooms. 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

Rock County Arty Party, Thursday June 15th

Join with SMAC, area artists, arts organizations and general art-loving public together for a networking event in Rock County on Thursday, June 15th! The event will take place from 7-8 pm at the at the Palace Theatre (104 E Main St in Luverne, MN), following the Grants information session beforehand (see previous article).

This will be an awesome opportunity to network with local arts supporters while enjoying live music from local acoustic duo Ewing Maine! SMAC will provide appetizers like fresh fruit, pigs in a blanket and street corn dip from Bluestem Catering and a cash bar will also be on-site. SMAC staff will be available throughout the event 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!

Where will we be next? Look forward to hearing news of our Redwood and Swift Arty Parties coming up! 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!

Upcoming Virtual Grant Workshops

**Workshops are free, but registration is required**

Monday, June 12, 7-8 pm

Info Session: All SMAC Grants for FY24 (Register Here)

Learn about SW MN Arts Council (SMAC) grants for the coming year (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024), including updates to guidelines and deadlines. Funding is available for organizations, cities and Tribal Nations, artists, schools, and youth in the SW MN region.

Tuesday, June 20, 12(Noon)-1 pm

Art Project Grants Webinar (Register Here)

Provides organizations in the SMAC region with up to $7,000 to stimulate and encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts. More information about SMAC Art Project Grants

Thursday, June 29, 5:30-6:30 pm

Quick Support for Organizations (Register Here)

Provides organization with up to $2,500 for activities such as planning for a Public Art project, strategic planning or board training, costs to apply for 501(c)(3) status, small equipment purchases, or small arts projects. More information on Quick Support for Organizations Grants

Thursday, July 6, 5:30-6:30 pm

All Individual Artist Grants (Register Here)

Learn about all of SMAC's Individual Artist grants for the coming year (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024), including updates to guidelines and deadlines for the following grant programs: Artist Growth, Artist Equity, Quick Support for Artists, and Advanced Artist Fellowship

**Workshops are free, but registration is required**

More coming soon!

View our NEW grants calendar

including descriptions of the grants and funding amounts, deadlines, earliest project start dates, and webinar dates for our new fiscal year, starting July 2023 through June 2024.

Other options for Grant Assistance

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, June 13th. 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.

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!

SMAC's Annual Artist Retreat was held again at the Danebod Folk School in Tyler the first weekend in May. Thanks for joining us for a day and a half of arts workshops and networking, as well as learning some Danish Dance moves at an event that was open to the public on Friday evening. We look forward to providing more opportunities for classes and networking again next May!

 Memberships

From May 2nd to May 31, 2023



Contributors: Little Theatre Auditorium, New London • Mary Jane Mardesen, Rushmore • John & Karin Gilbertson, Willmar

Supporters: Joe Paddock, Litchfield • Suzanne Napgezek, Willmar • David & Marilee Strom, Windom • Worthington Federal Savings Bank, Worthington • Nobles County Art Center, Worthington

Sustainers: Rolland Digre, Hendricks • Craig & Karen Pfeifer, Worthington

Other donations: Lois Young

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!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS!