Arts News
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!
Nominate for Of the Year Awards — Applications Open
Want to Honor a Deserving Arts Advocate or Artist?
Nominations are Open for Of the Year Awards
Northwest Artist of the Year $500
Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year $500
Northwest Star Award for $5,000
Applications are open for nominations for the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Of the YearAwards. 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.
Our Arts Advocate of the Year award honors someone who is a voice and advocate for arts within the community, local school, or our region. Arts includes all disciplines. It comes with $500 and often goes to a local leader who lives in the area where the artist reception will be held. However, anyone is eligible to be nominated.
Our 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.
Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once, as 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.
Our deadline for nominations is February 29. Please consider nominating someone who you view as a deserving candidate from our seven-county service area in northwestern Minnesota. Persons who believe their nominee would qualify for this award and have questions should contact the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council office at (218) 745-8886, ext 1 or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org for more information. The nomination form is on our website in the grant software. Login and click on Apply and follow the directions. For more information, visit this page on our website:
https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/nominations-for-of-the-year-awards
Or download this document to learn about the information needed for the nomination. Awards will be presented at the NW Art Exhibit reception at the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson on Sunday, April 21, 2024. 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.
Start your nomination here.
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.
Submit your art for the NW Annual Art Exhibit Now
You are Invited to Apply for the Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
Submissions Accepted Through February 29, 2024
We are pleased to announce our latest “Call for Entries” for the 2024 Annual Art Exhibit.
The deadline to submit your artwork is February 29, 2024.
This year, the annual Art Exhibit will be in Lake Bronson at the Kittson County History Museum from March 27 to April 21. Artwork will be dropped off on Monday, March 25 in Lake Bronson.
Artists and creatives from our 7 county- service region are invited to enter into this art exhibit and will be competing for $2,300 in cash awards. Artists must reside in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, or Red Lake counties to be eligible. Both adults and high school students are encouraged to enter. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by a qualified juror. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception at the Kittson County History Museum, 332 East Main Street, Lake Bronson on Sunday, April 21. Artists are welcome to have their work in the exhibit available for sale.
See https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/nwmnartsexhibit-apply for more information, including the exhibit entry rules and directions. If you would like the application mailed to you, please contact our office 218-745-8886, ext 1 or director@nwartscouncil.org. The application must be submitted no later than February 29, 2024.
Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grant Funding
Arts Grants Funding Available!
Upcoming Deadlines for Project Grants, Artist Residency Grants
Free Grant Writing Workshop February 13 at 10 AM
Apply Now
Applications are open for Project Grants for nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, and other nonprofit organizations from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are February 29. 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 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. This is a great way to bring arts experiences to your community.
We are offering a grant writing workshop online or in person to assist you with your application. You are welcome to come to our office in Warren for the workshop or to work on your grants. RSVPs are required for grant writing sessions – please email director@nwartscouncil.org.
The session will be held Tuesday, February 13 at 10:00 AM. You can also set up a time to work one-on-one with our director on the grant writing process.
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.
Also available on a first come-first served basis are Quick Turnaround Grants for $500. 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.
To learn more about these 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.
Stephanie Olson’s Art is featured in NCTC Display Case
Stop by the display cases outside our gallery at NCTC. Work by Stephanie Olson is featured in one of them.
MN State Arts Board Seeks Grant Program Reviewers
The Arts Board seeks grant program reviewers
Do you wonder who applies for Minnesota State Arts Board grants? Have you ever thought of applying for a grant, but don't have a lot of experience writing proposals? Do you love the arts and want to know more about activities taking place all across the state? If so, the State Arts Board needs you!
The Arts Board is seeking people from anywhere in the state, who have different backgrounds and experiences, who can help review grant applications. It's important for Minnesotans to play a role in deciding how public funding for the arts is invested!
Who can be a reviewer?
Any Minnesota resident who has a strong interest in the arts. You don't have to work in the arts, just an arts background or involvement is enough.
If you don't have a background in the arts but do have experience with nonprofit organizations, budgeting, planning, or project management; we need you!
If you have already served as a reviewer in 2023, you cannot serve again on these panels.
What would I have to do?
Be able to commit to five weeks of service beginning January 2024.
Review 25-30 applications online, on your own time.
Participate in a one-hour virtual training session.
Participate in a one-day, virtual review meeting.
Grant application reviewers receive a stipend of $200 for their service.
How do I become a reviewer?
Fill out our online interest form today!
If you have questions before filling out the form, call (800) 866-2787 or send a message to panelists@arts.state.mn.us
Not able to serve as a reviewer right now? Please forward this message to one or two friends or colleagues who might like to participate.
State Arts Board FY 2025 Operating Support Grant Program + Virtual Information Session
Minnesota State Arts Board FY 2025 Operating Support Grant Program + Operating Support Virtual Information Session
Minnesota State Arts Board launches FY 2025 Operating Support grant program
Application materials and online application forms are now available for the FY 2025 Operating Support grant program. Applications must be received before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024.
Operating Support provides general support to high quality, established arts organizations and arts affiliate organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art; to organizations that provide a broad range of services to practicing artists; and to community art schools and conservatories that make arts learning available to Minnesotans of all ages and abilities.
For full details about eligibility, guidelines, and application instructions, please review the FY 2025 Operating Support Program Overview and Application Instructions document posted to the Arts Board website.
Want to learn more? Join the Minnesota State Arts Board for a virtual information session on the FY 2025 Operating Support grant program.
The free session will be hosted virtually on
Tuesday, December 12, 2023, from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
First-time applicants, or those new to roles applying for support, will find this session particularly valuable. Attendees can expect to leave with a better understanding of eligibility requirements, full versus interim applications, review criteria, and required financial information. There will be time for attendees to ask questions in a live Q&A at the end of the session.
The session will be recorded and posted to the Arts Board website for later viewing. No registration is required. For instructions on how to join the session, visit the Arts Board website Information Sessions page.
About Operating Support
Operating Support provides general support to high quality, established arts organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art; to organizations that provide a broad range of services to practicing artists; and to community arts schools and conservatories that make arts learning available to Minnesotans of all ages and abilities.
To review the full FY 2025 Operating Support Program Overview and Application instructions, visit the program page.
Questions and Accessibility Information
For questions about eligibility or the content of the application, please contact:Lindi Holliday, program officer(651) 539-2653Lindi.Holliday@arts.state.mn.us
For the virtual information session, automated closed captions will be provided. The Arts Board offers other accommodations (i.e. real-time CART captioning, ASL-interpretation, large print or alternate format materials) upon request. If you would like to request an accommodation, please contact the Arts Board accessibility coordinator by Wednesday, December 6, 2023, using the contact information below.
Annick Dall-Desbois, outreach and accessibility coordinator (651) 539-2651 | Minnesota Relay 711 Annick.Dall-Desbois@arts.state.mn.us
McCanna House Artist-in-Residence Applications Open
Mc Canna House Applications for Artists in Residence
Open to Artists in Music, Theatre, Literature, & Visual Arts
The North Dakota Museum of Art is accepting applications for the 2024 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 Program
The residency consists of 2 - 5 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.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2024
Announcements: February 15, 2024.
Amenities:
-Wireless Internet
-Well-lit French country-style farmhouse, detached 40x70 foot steel building, and ample outdoor space with yards and surrounding tree lines
-3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
-Washer and dryer
-New electric stove in a well-appointed kitchen
-Screened-in porch area with convenient BBQ
-Opportunities to work with surrounding community groups
-10 miles from the town of Larimore (pop.2,000), yet it feels remote and private
-35 miles from Grand Forks (pop.55,000), with its thriving art scene and good shopping/dining
-5 hours to Minneapolis and 2 hours to Winnipeg, Manitoba
-Well-stocked library
-Fruit trees
-Surrounded by working fields producing soybeans, potatoes, canola, and more...
-Endless sky
-Big weather
North Dakota Museum of Art | 261 Centennial Drive Stop 7305, Grand Forks, ND 58202
Minnesota Playwrights’ Center Offers Mentorships and Fellowships. Applications are open!
The Playwrights' Center sustains, develops, and advocates for playwrights and their work to realize their full artistic potential. The Playwrights' Center focuses on both supporting playwrights and promoting new plays to production at theaters across the country. It is a resource for playwrights statewide.
Applications are currently open for:
-The Many Voices Mentorship — for beginning Black playwrights, Indigenous playwrights, and/or playwrights of color or artists in other disciplines who are interested in learning about playwriting (deadline December 7)
-The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship -— for theater artists other than playwrights based in Minnesota (deadline March 28, but we recommend submitting and intent to apply earlier)
-The McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting — for playwrights in Minnesota who have had at least one play professionally produced (Deadline January 11)
-Core Writer Program — for any committed professional playwright (Deadline January 25)
Reach out to the Center with any questions you might have.
Julia Brown (she/her/hers), Artistic Programs Manager
Playwrights’ Centerwww.pwcenter.org | 612-332-7481 x.11152301 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
NEA and Arts Midwest offer grants to theater companies for young audiences
NEA and Arts Midwest Offer Theater Arts Opportunity for Young Audiences
Shakespeare in American Communities Opportunity
About Shakespeare in American Communities
Shakespeare in American Communities is a theater program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Through grants to theater companies, this program supports productions and educational activities for young audiences throughout the United States. Applicants can choose from two paths: Schools or Juvenile Justice. Grants range from $15,000 to $25,000 each.
What: Shakespeare in American Communities is a project-based, matching grant that helps theater companies and organizations bring Shakespeare and works inspired by Shakespeare to students.
When: The mandatory Intent to Apply is due January 25, with final applications due February 8, 2024, and funded projects must occur between August 2024 – July 2025.
Where: Nonprofit theater companies and organizations located across the United States and the Native nations that share this geography can apply.
Who: The schools program is available to theater companies producing a play that is a work written or inspired by Shakespeare, an adaption of Shakespeare’s text, or a production that incorporates scenes, monologues, and/or sonnets by Shakespeare, with related educational activities in partnership with schools. The Juvenile Justice program is available to nonprofit organizations providing Shakespeare educational activities in partnership with the Juvenile Justice System.
Ready to Apply?
Learn more about Shakespeare in American Communities, review eligibility requirements, and read the guidelines on Arts Midwest website.
Arts Midwest and NEA Big Read “Where We Live” Accepting Applications
Arts Midwest and the National Endowment for the Arts Accepting Applications for the NEA Big Read
About the NEA Big Read
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read supports community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book. The goal of this program is to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 each.
What: The NEA Big Read is a reading program that brings communities together around the central theme, "Where We Live," using one of 50 available NEA Big Read Books as inspiration.
When: The mandatory Intent to Apply is due January 10, with final applications due January 24, 2024 , and funded projects must occur between September 2024 and June 2025.
Where: Nonprofit organizations and public libraries located across the United States and the Native nations that share this geography can apply.
Who: Arts organizations, universities, libraries, service organizations, museums, school districts, and tribal governments are all encouraged to apply.
Ready to Apply?
Learn more about the NEA Big Read review eligibility requirements, and read the guidelines on Arts Midwest website.
Showcase Specialist Trey Everett Receives Rural Arts Award
NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett Receives the
National Association for Rural Mental Health’s
Peter G. Beeson Rural Arts Award
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is proud to announce that our staff person Trey Everett of Crookston recently received the Peter G. Beeson Rural Arts Award from the National Association for Rural Mental Health.
The 2023 award was presented to Trey Everett during their National Convention in Pittsburgh on September 20, 2023. Trey is a visual artist, pastor, teacher, and spiritual guide. He mostly works with pen and ink, which includes calligrams (images made with words), lectionary art, editorial cartoons, and commissions. He also creates murals, including an outdoor mural on a building wall in downtown Crookston titled "Unity and Diversity", and art related to cinema inside the Crookston Grand Theater. At the awards ceremony, Trey was recognized for his healing workshop with the residents of the Northwestern Apartments (NWA) transitional living facility in Crookston. Residents at NWA have mental health and often substance health challenges. Trey presented ideas of how art can be another therapeutic tool on the path of recovery. The workshop provided residents a way to touch on vulnerabilities and feelings sometimes not available in more traditional therapies. After an initial session residents spent a week with their art. Many created several art pieces. His work with people and the art he provokes are hopeful and healing, with a sense of wonder and humor, reflecting the best spirit of who we are and who we can be.
The National Association for Rural Mental Health established the Rural Arts Award in 2007 to honor the life-long contributions of Peter G. (Pete) Beeson to both rural mental health and the rural arts.
Congratulations, Trey and thank you for your positive impact on rural arts and mental health in our region!
Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission is inviting design ideas for New State Flag and Seal
Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission
Inviting Design Ideas for New State Flag and Seal
Earlier this year, the Minnesota Legislature established a commission to consider and select new designs for the state flag and seal. The commission includes seventeen members, including the former chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board. Administrative support and coordination for the commission is provided by the Minnesota Historical Society.
The commission is now inviting members of the public
to submit ideas and designs for a new flag and seal.
Submissions will be accepted through October 30, 2023.
To read the guidelines and submit a design for the
new state flag and/or seal, visit the commission website.
Visit the commission website
The commission meets virtually every Tuesday. If you are interested, you can sign up to receive notices from the commission, find the names and affiliations of commission members, learn about the current state flag and seal, and watch the commission meetings online at the commission's website.
2024 McKnight Fellowships in Fiber Arts — Apply by Dec 4
Attention Textile and Fiber Artists!
There is an open call for the 2024 McKnight Fellowships in Fiber Arts.
Two $25,000 UNRESTRICTED fellowships will be awarded in support of mid-career Minnesota artists who use textile and fiber arts materials, processes, histories, traditions, and/or sensibilities in their artistic and creative practice throughout the conception, execution, and resolution of their work. Mid-career, for the purposes of the application, refers to anyone who has practiced fiber art for 8 years and has received recognition for their work from their community and the larger creative community in our state, region, and nationally (not including work done in an academic higher-education program).
The deadline for application is December 4, 2023, at 5PM.
Info sessions are being scheduled over the next two (2) months across Minnesota and on Zoom, to provide potential applicants the opportunity to learn more about the specifics of these fellowships and the application process. The application details are available on the Textile Center website:
https://textilecentermn.org/mcknight/
The application portal is on Submittable, and can be accessed here:
https://textilecenter.submittable.com/submit
The work will be reviewed by three (3) jurors of national recognition with expertise in the field, and the winners will be selected by the end February for a fellowship period that runs from March 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025. Reach out to Tracy Krumm, Director for Artistic Advancement Program Director, McKnight Fellowships for Fiber Artists, McKnight Visual Arts Fellow at 612-436-0464, 3000 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. www.textilecentermn.org
Individual Artist Grant Deadline has been extended to October 15. Other Upcoming Arts Grants Applications — it’s time to apply!
Individual Artist Grants for $5,000 Deadline is
Extended to Oct 15
Fall Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications
Organizations, Individuals & Schools -- Apply Now
Grant training for Organizations Tues, Oct 17 at 4 PM
Individuals Nov 1 at 10 AM
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 start applying 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.
Individual Artist Grants have an October 15 deadline for $5,000 grants (this is an extension) and November 15 deadline for $1,500. Quick Turnaround Grants for $500 will be available in January 2024 . 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. Grants are awarded annually with $1,500 going to four individuals and $5,000 going to four individuals. 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. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are October 31 and February 29. 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.
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.
Schools can also apply for Arts Equipment for their school by October 31 each year. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match requirement. Funds for this arts equipment in schools grant program come from the general fund of the State of Minnesota.
We are offering several 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 trainings will be:
· October 17 at 4 pm. Organizations Grant training
· November 1 at 10 am. Individual Artist grant training
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.
Artwork of Gail Ose in Display Case at NCTC
If you are at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, stop by the display cases outside of our gallery. The most recently created space features the work of Thief River Falls Artist Gail Ose, who is the owner of Serendipity Art Hub.
Artists of Northwest Minnesota 6th Edition Accepting Applications for Artists and Groups
It's time to submit an entry for the 6th edition of our Artists of NW Minnesota booklet. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call our office at 218-745-8886 to receive a form. The cost is only $20 for a listing + you receive 20 copies of the booklet! You are also able to have a piece of art hanging in our office space to help promote you. And, the booklet is online on our website. What a deal!
Submissions for individuals will be accepted until January 10. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to submit a listing for the booklet as well. The deadline for organizations and businesses is also January 10.
To learn more and to download the entry form visit this page on our website here.
Find our a free print edition of our current booklet Artists of Northwest Minnesota at your local library, from featured artists, or in other public spaces throughout our region. This is the 5th edition of this publication. The directory 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.
Figures of Ghosts and Dreams: The Artwork of Stephanie Olson
Figures of Ghosts & Dreams: The Artwork of Stephanie Olson
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery
NCTC in Thief River Falls through November 29
Artist Reception Wednesday, October 18 from 6-8 PM
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Figures of Ghosts and Dreams: The Artwork of Stephanie Olson. This exhibit is open through Wednesday, November 29 at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.
Stephanie Olson is a public-school English teacher in Goodridge and lives with her husband and kids in rural Thief River Falls. She holds a Writing MFA degree from Hamline University. Her visual work has appeared in several group shows, including past exhibits with the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, two This Week Only exhibits at the North Dakota Museum of Art, and a group show at the Vine Arts Center in Minneapolis.
Figures of Ghosts and Dreams includes 42 pieces of watercolor on paper, India ink on paper, and acrylic on wood, cork, and canvas. Stephanie explained, “This exhibit reflects the art that comes to me. When I sit down with an idea, with a plan, my art fails almost every time. But when I sit down with no intention, it's like a door is left open. In the beginning, my art was more abstract: lines, color, depth. Now, I have these figures. Sometimes they seem peaceful, as if visiting from a dream. Sometimes they remind me of loved ones who have passed on, like visiting ghosts. There are undeniable motifs that I can't escape: houses, snakes, dogs, cats, women. I must let it all come as it is, like the weather. I wouldn't say it's like the notion of a muse taking over, not at all. It's more like a house filling up with guests. I'm never sure how long they'll stay, but this is what I find when I manage to steal time to sit down and paint. It's always a surprise. Try it! You never know who might show up, who you might meet.”
Experience the exhibit virtually with this video https://youtu.be/nkG_lKjq71o
An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, October 18 from 6 to 8 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. There will be live music and refreshments and Stephanie will be painting during the event. Come and see Stephanie creating art while viewing her large group of expressive pieces! Stephanie’s art is available for purchase.
The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.
For more information about this exhibit or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 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.
Upcoming Arts Grants Applications — it’s time to apply!
Fall Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications
Organizations, Individuals & Schools -- Apply Now
Grant training for Organizations Tues, Oct 17 at 4 PM
Individuals September 21 at 4 PM & Nov 1 at 10 AM
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 start applying 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.
Contingent on funding, Individual Artist Grants have a September 30 deadline for $5,000 grants and November 15 deadline for $1,500. Quick Turnaround Grants for $500 will be available in January 2024. 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. Grants are awarded annually with $1,500 going to four individuals and $5,000 going to four individuals. 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. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are October 31 and February 29. 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.
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.
Schools can also apply for Arts Equipment for their school by October 31 each year. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match requirement. Funds for this arts equipment in schools grant program come from the general fund of the State of Minnesota.
We are offering several 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 trainings will be:
· September 21 at 4 pm. Individual Artist grant training
· October 17 at 4 pm. Organizations Grant training
· November 1 at 10 am. Individual Artist grant training
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.