Arts News
Upcoming Springboard Offerings for Artists — Virtual Session
Check out these virtual session from Springboard for the Arts!
Ask Me Anything: Small Business Storefronts
Join at 12pm Central Time on Monday, May 20 for a virtual conversation about opening an arts-centered store in a small town or city!
Discover the world of wholesale and learn about the logistics of owning or renting a downtown building with Fergus Falls-based small business owners Blayze Buseth, owner of Creation Shop, and Jan Werkau, owner of SoapWerks Naturals and Creative Handmade Goods. The conversation will be moderated by Emily Kurash Casey, Director of Community Programs and Minnesota Main Street Statewide Coordinator at Rethos.
“Ask Me Anything” events are held throughout the year with Springboard’s Artist Career Consultants (ACCs) or staff and guest artists/presenters. Stay updated on our events calendar for more conversations in this ongoing series.
Register
Additional Upcoming Offerings for Artists
Copyright Essentials
Thursday, May 16
6:00-7:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
What is a copyright and do you need one to protect your work? In this free virtual Work of Art+ workshop, a staff member from Springboard’s Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts (MnLA) program will cover the legal basics of copyrights for visual and performing artists. Presented in partnership with Dakota County Library.
Grant Writing
Tuesday, May 14
6:00-8:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
In this virtual Work of Art workshop, you'll learn the essentials of writing a grant proposal and get tips for searching for grants to fund your artistic practice. Free, and open to artists of all disciplines!
For more workshops and to register visit https://springboardforthearts.org/events/
Springboard’s Rural Regenerator Fellowship Application is Open
Announcing the 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship
Calling rural artists in the Upper Midwest: Applications are now open for Springboard's 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship!
We are excited to announce that this year’s Fellowship will focus on supporting artists whose work is connected to land, environment, and/or food systems. Rural artists who are using their creative practice to explore environmental justice, land and food sovereignty, agriculture, foodways, climate solutions, and/or sustainability are welcome to apply. They will select 12 fellows total.
What the two-year Fellowship offers:
Unrestricted $10,000 stipend to continue or expand rural artist's existing work.
Opportunities for exchange and learning with other Rural Regenerator Fellows across the Upper Midwest.
A supportive platform to build solidarity across rural geographies.
This year’s new effort to amplify and support the urgent work of environmental stewardship aims to bring a new level of focus to the Fellowship in order to collectively contribute to long term change and support existing movements.
Applications are open now through June 24, 2024. Interested in applying? Join the virtual info session on Friday, May 31 to learn more about the application and the fellowship.
Learn more and apply here or https://springboardforthearts.org/rural-regenerator-fellowship/
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity Cultural Expression
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity
FY 2025 Cultural Expression
Application materials are now available for the Cultural Expression grant program. This program is open to individuals and organizations.
Cultural Expression grants support activities that share, explore, pass on, express, or celebrate culture through the arts. Culture may be defined by a common ethnicity, tribal affiliation, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or recreation. Traditional and contemporary forms of cultural expression may be funded in this program. Funds could be used to support practicing a cultural art form; presenting cultural festivals, community celebrations, performances, media or exhibitions; offering demonstrations; or passing on cultural traditions through apprenticeships or documentation.
Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000.
Applications must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024.
The Arts Board will host a virtual information session on June 5 for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose and application process. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions with program officers at the end of the session.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Arts Experiences program web page.
Cultural Expression Program Page
Important Dates:
June 5, 2024: Virtual Information Session and Q & A. This will be a real-time virtual session. It will also be recorded and available for later viewing.
July 12, 2024: Application deadline; all application materials must be submitted before 4:30 p.m.
January 2025: Arts Board approves grant awards.
March 2025 - February 2026: All funded activities must take place within these dates.
Questions? Visit this page arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural-expression.htm
Empire Arts Center Summer Camps
EMPIRE ARTS CENTER
Program Opportunities for ages 12-19
The Empire Arts Center’s mission is to promote culture and lifelong learning by presenting our own artistic programming while providing a distinctive, welcoming venue for the arts, businesses, and community of the upper Red River Valley.
Join them this summer for educational programs in Grand Forks
Contact the Empire at 701-746-5500 or info@empireartscenter.com with any questions or to register. Learn more at their website here or empireartscenter.com/education
EMPIRE THEATRE ACADEMY
In this five week academy, students ages 14-19 will rehearse She Kills Monsters (a non-musical) by Qui Nguyen. Throughout the academy, students will learn how to analyze text, character development, voice projection, stage movement, working with props, theatre protocols, audition techniques, and resume writing taught by visiting professional theatre artists and academy director, Ryan King.
June 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-July 2, 7-10.
Time: 6-9 PM daily.
Performances July 11-13.
MOVIEMAKING CAMP FOR TEENS
The Empire’s two-week movie-making camp will take 12- through 18-year-old students through the process of brainstorming, writing, editing, directing, filming, and producing a short film. It will also allow them to cast their films from actors outside the camp, hence involving additional area youth. The finished, short movies will be screened at the Empire Art Center on the large screen in the auditorium, preceded by a Red-Carpet event so family, friends, and community members can view this unique locally produced film.
July 29-August 1, August 5-8.
Time: 12-5 PM daily
Red carpet premiere August 11 at 5:00 PM
Summer Art Camp at NDMOA
2024 SUMMER ART CAMP at the North Dakota Museum of Art
Visit ndmoa.com for Camp details and registration information. Space is limited.
SCHEDULE
June 10 – 14, 2024
1A – JEANNE O’NEIL
Press, Mesh, & Sculpt: Adventures in Art
1B – JAMIE WORDEN
Canvas & Clay: A Summer of Color and Creation
JUNE 17 – 21, 2024
2A – SAM SHARPE Rhythm & Rhymes: A Musical Journey
2B – MEGAN JOHNSON
Nature’s Palette: North Dakota Landscapes and Botanicals
JUNE 24 – 28, 2024
3A – CARRIE CONNELL & MICHELLE KARST
Wild Things Unleashed: Art Meets Theater
3B – MOLLY MCLAIN
Mosaic Magic
JULY 8 – 12, 2024
4A – LYDIA WELLE
Collage Creations: Crafting Summer Dreams
4B – CARRIE SAPA
From Sea to Shining Sea: Artwork Inspired by America & American Artists
JULY 15 – 19, 2024
5A – EVA BRANVOLD
Page to Palette: Artistic Explorations
5B – EMILY DENCKER
Canvas & Color: A Painter’s Playground
JULY 22 – 27, 2024
6A – KASANDRA GREGOIRE
Threaded Tales: Yarn Painting and Fiber Arts
6B – EMMA SCHREIBER
Art Across Cultures: Creative Explorations
Early Registration for Museum Members* opens
Wednesday, May 8 at 9 am
*Household membership level or higher
First-time Camper? Pre-register at Active.com
Secure your discount and early access by purchasing a Museum Membership.
Current Museum Members or Returning Campers?Check your eligibility today by calling the Museum at 701-777-4195 or by emailing MJ at mjhaji-sheikh@ndmoa.com.
Already on Active? Renew your Museum Membership.
You will receive a discount code for your discount and early access.
General Registration begins Friday, May 10 at 9 am.
The American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for fellowship grants
American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for Fellowship Grants
The American-Scandinavian Foundation annual competition for Scandinavian Folk Arts & Cultural Traditions in the Upper Midwest is now accepting applications.
Deadline: September 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT
amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
For further information and to begin an online application visit amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
Two kinds of awards are available: fellowships for artists and grants for organizations to present public programs and community projects. All grant applications should be for projects that encourage the practice of folk arts and cultures and the presentation of these arts to public audiences.
FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTISTS
Fellowships for artists deepen the skills of master artists; foster relationships among masters of artistic and technical skills and their apprentices, and encourage the development of traditional skills and the perpetuation of skills from generation to generation; and encourage the awareness of folk traditions by creating innovative projects with wide visibility and public appeal.
GRANTS FOR
PUBLIC PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Grants for public programs and community projects encourage the preservation of Scandinavian cultural traditions through the support of community festivals, celebrations, and heritage events as well as workshops, performances, classes, and demonstrations. Applicants for public programs grants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
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Rural-Urban Solidarity Call for Creatives Apply by May 20
Rural and urban communities need each other. We share the same resources, land, and future. Artists are skilled at building solidarity, compassion, and understanding across geographies.
Over the years, the perceived “urban-rural” divide has become a political strategy to provoke division and fear, instead of fostering connection and common ground. Springboard for the Arts invites artists and creatives across Minnesota to develop projects that explore and shed light on the concept of rural-urban solidarity.
This call is open to culture bearers, makers, artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and other creatives interested in developing projects that help build understanding, interaction, compassion, joy, and solidarity between rural and urban communities.Projects can include as many artists as needed, but will require a Lead Artist(s) who is responsible for submitting a proposal, attending meetings with Springboard, managing funds, and ensuring the project’s overall success.As part of the program, Springboard will provide:
- Project support and a $2500 stipend for one Lead Artist who can demonstrate a strong connection to and experience in both urban/rural contexts.
- Project support and a $5000 stipend for two Lead Artists, one in an urban and one in a rural place, who are teaming up on a project together. Types of projects may include (but are not limited to) zines/writing collections, video/motion art, visual displays (murals, billboards, lawn signs) and activations of public space (line dancing classes in parking lots, story circles in a library, shared meals, etc). Questions about the program or your project proposal? Email or visit www.springboardforthearts.org/rural-urban-solidarity.
Applications will close at midnight CST on Monday, May 20, 2024.
March Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the March 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/4aexCSm
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Upcoming Grant Deadlines
Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications
Organizations, Individuals & Schools -- Apply Now
Applications are open for arts grants to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, and other nonprofit organizations. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Nonprofit arts organizations can apply for general operating funds. Applications are open now. The eligible grant amount is based on total expenses within the previous two completed years and the organization's history of arts programming. These organizations will be able to add to this grant, as the year progresses, if they need additional funding. Funding sources for these grants come from Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Quick turnaround grants for $500 will be available on an ongoing deadline starting in January. 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.
All other nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. 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.
The deadline to apply for a project grant for governments and non-profits is April 30.
Schools in our seven-county region can also apply now 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.
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.
Upcoming Grant Writing Trainings
April 16 at 10 AM
To learn more about grant programs and start an application visit www.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.
Accessible Arts Grant Program
Minnesota State Arts Board
Grant Opportunities: Accessible Arts and Arts Education
Accessible Arts grant program
Application materials are now available for the FY 2025 Accessible Arts grant program. Arts organizations and arts affiliates are welcome to apply.
Accessible Arts is a pilot program, offering project grants that support long-term investments focused on increasing arts organizations' accessibility for people with disabilities.
New for FY 2025: An arts organization or arts affiliate that received an Accessible Arts grant in FY 2024 is not eligible to apply for an Accessible Arts grant in FY 2025.
In this program, funds will be used for investments that will have a longer-term impact on the applicant and impact organizational change. Example investments include, but are not limited to:
Professional development related to accessibility;
Hiring accessibility consultants to conduct audits or develop accessibility plans;
Improvements to digital accessibility; and/or
Small physical or equipment investments (less than $5,000) that will make programming more accessible.
Applicants may request between $10,000 - $20,000.
The Arts Board will host a virtual Information Session for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose, application process, and key accessibility resources for arts organizations.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Accessible Arts program page.
Artist Residency Program in NY Mills Deadline to Apply is April 1
Applications for the Artist Residency Program at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in New York Mills are now being accepted! The deadline is April 1. Information and application can be found on the website: https://www.kulcher.org/programs/artist-retreat/
The residency program is open to artists of all disciplines; writers, poets, playwrights, visual artists, musicians, and dancers, and offers time and space to create without distraction.
Artists are responsible for their transportation to and from New York Mills, along with food while in residence. The Cultural Center provides a one-bedroom home, along with all linens, dishes, etc. The Center requests that artists perform an outreach project, usually within the schools. For more information, check the website: www.kulcher.org, or contact: cheryl@kulcher.org.
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center
24 Main Avenue North, PO Box 246
New York Mills, Minnesota 56567
Summer Art Day Camp for Ages 8-13
To reserve a spot for this summer art day camp in Lengby for ages 8-13, email : hello@oldschoolarts.org.
Creative Individuals FY 2025 Grant Opportunity
Grant Opportunity for Individuals:
FY 2025 Creative Individuals
Application materials are now available for the Creative Individuals grant program. This program is open to individual artists and culture bearers.
Creative Individuals provides support to help individual artists and culture bearers develop or sustain their creative practices and meaningfully engage with Minnesotans.
In this program, funds may be used to support an individual's creative practice and meaningfully connect to and engage with audiences, participants, students, and/or communities during the grant period.
Applicants may request between $2,000 - $10,000.
The Arts Board will host a virtual Information Session for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose and application process. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions with program officers at the end of the session. See below for more information.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Creative Individuals program page.
Creative Individuals Program Page
Important Dates
February 28, 2024: Virtual Information Session and Q & A. This will be a real-time virtual session. It will be recorded and available for later viewing.
April 5, 2024: Application deadline; all application materials must be submitted before 4:30 p.m.
December 2024: Arts Board approves grant awards.
February 2025 - January 2026: All funded activities must take place within these dates.
February Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the February 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/3uLa7RK
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Who will be the next McKnight Distinguished Artist?
Who will be the next McKnight Distinguished Artist?
Do you know an artist or culture bearer with an enduring and exceptional career in Minnesota? The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for its 27th Distinguished Artist Award. Nominations for the $100,000 award are due April 16, 2024.
The annual McKnight Distinguished Artist Award recognizes artists and culture bearers who have made a lifelong commitment to creating art that is locally, regionally, and/or nationally significant. These artists and culture bearers have chosen to make their lives and careers in Minnesota, thereby making our state a more culturally rich place. First and foremost, they have produced creatively incisive art reflecting their particular and extraordinary point of view.
McKnight Distinguished Artists have also inspired other artists and culture bearers, earned acclaim from audiences, patrons, critics, and other arts professionals, and some have founded and strengthened arts organizations.
Minnesota State Arts Board Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Opportunities
Minnesota State Arts Board Fiscal Year 2025
Grant Opportunities Announcement
The Minnesota State Arts Board is pleased to announce the grant programs it will offer in its fiscal year 2025 grant cycle. In addition to the Operating Support program that was launched earlier, five project grant programs will be offered: Accessible Arts, Arts Experiences, Arts Education, Cultural Expression, and Creative Individuals.
The following are very brief descriptions of the programs:
Accessible Arts will invest in longer-term strategies to make the arts more accessible to persons with disabilities.
Arts Education will invest in age-appropriate arts learning experiences for people of all ages and abilities.
Arts Experiences will invest in a wide variety of programming intended to give Minnesotans access to meaningful arts experiences.
Creative Individuals will help individual artists and culture bearers develop or sustain their creative practices and meaningfully engage with Minnesotans.
Cultural Expression will invest in activities that share, explore, or celebrate culture through the arts.
Individual artists and culture bearers will be able to submit an application in only one of the following programs in FY 2025: Arts Education, Arts Experiences, Creative Individuals, or Cultural Expression.
Organizations will be able to submit an application in only one of the following programs for FY 2025: Arts Education, Arts Experiences, or Cultural Expression.
More information about eligibility, use of funds, grant amounts, and application deadlines is available on the Arts Board website.
FY 2025 Grant Program Overview Sessions
The Arts Board will offer two high-level overview sessions of the grant programs offered for organizations or individuals in FY 2025. These virtual sessions are intended to help potential applicants determine which program may be the best fit. Both sessions will be recorded and available for viewing on the Arts Board website.
FY 2025 Grant Programs Overview for Organizations: Wednesday, January 31
FY 2025 Grant Programs Overview for Individuals: Thursday, February 1
Details and links to join the sessions can be found in the Information Sessions section of the Arts Board Web calendar.
Arts Board Priority Groups
In order to increase demographic and geographic fairness of the distribution of funds, the Arts Board has identified priority groups for its project grant programs. The priority groups will receive a percentage of the grants awarded that is equal to or greater than their percentage of the application pool. The priority groups include:
Individuals or organizations that are based outside the seven-county metropolitan area
Individuals who are Indigenous or persons of color, or organizations in which individuals who are Indigenous or persons of color comprise 50 percent or more of the board and staff
Individuals with disabilities, or organizations in which persons with disabilities comprise 50 percent or more of the board and staff or are the primary population served.
Work of Art workshops by Springboard
New Work of Art workshops
Springboard’s winter series of Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists has begun! 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.
Already taken Work of Art? Then join them for Work of Art+, a continuation of the series that offers an even deeper dive on a library of topics. Their next workshop, Website Basics for Artists, will take place virtually on Saturday, February 3. They'll discuss whether you need to build a website for your artistic practice, and where and how to get started if you do. Presented in partnership with the Hennepin County Library.
January Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the January 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/3U4FUr0
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Did you know that we offer free services 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!
Accessibility 101 for Arts and Culture Organizations
Accessibility 101 for Arts and Culture Organizations
Wednesday February 7, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Mark your calendars for this informative and interactive webinar, cohosted by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts Office of Accessibility.
This one-hour webinar is designed to help Minnesotan arts and cultural workers answer the question, "where do I start?" when creating inclusive, accessible spaces and programs for people with disabilities.
Attendees can expect to leave with a foundational understanding of
Requirements for accessibility when your organization receives a grant from the Arts Board or National Endowment for the Arts.
The importance of completing a self-evaluation or ADA checklist, and how to do it.
The many ways of providing inclusive and equitable access, beyond just physical / architectural.
The importance of appointing an access coordinator in your organization, and what they do.
This webinar is free, but registration is required.