Artwork by Jonathan Billing
Northern Arts News
Greetings! 

In April, the Region 2 Arts Council offers 8-12th grade students an annual grant to advance artistically beyond their current lessons by mentoring with a professional artist or by attending an arts workshop, class or camp in their discipline.

 

Parents and teachers often encourage students to apply for the Artist Mentor Grant (deadline April 11), but anyone can encourage a young person to take the next step in their artistic growth.  If you know a talented student who could benefit from mentoring with a professional artist, you can suggest they contact us.  Grant applications are available at our office or on our website.

 

The April 21st Literary Collaboration Meeting provides members of spoken word and writers' groups an opportunity to meet with members of other writers' groups outside Region 2 to share ideas and perhaps consider a collaboration that benefits the literary arts in Minnesota.  The Loft Literary Center is a sponsoring partner of this meeting.  Please read the featured article for more information.

 

If you are a visual artist, don't miss the numerous "call for artists" in the Opportunities section of this newsletter.

 

Hopefully you will take the time to seek out a few of the many artistic offerings in our region this Spring!

 

Terri Widman

Executive Director

Region 2 Arts Council

 

P.S. If you have feedback for us about our evolving e-newsletter format, the content of our newsletter, or our creative color combinations, please let us hear from you!  Email us at [email protected]

A Literary Collaboration Meetinglitmeeting

April 21 from 10- 3:30 p.m. at the Depot in Wadena, 100 Aldrich Ave. SW.

  

Attention Region 2 literary groups! Please send one representative from your group to a collaboration meeting for literary groups in West Central and Northern MN.

 

This is a time for networking, idea exchange, open mic readings and a prize drawing for one free registration to "The Poetry Conference" May 18-20.  

 

There is no fee to attend and lunch is included.   

Registration Deadline: April 10. Call 218-751-5447 or email to register.

 

Sponsored by Region 2 Arts Council, Lake Region Arts Council and Five Wings Arts Council. Together we can strengthen the literary arts in northern Minnesota!  

 

R2AC News

Encouraging 8th-12th grade students to grow artistically through working with an artist mentor. Deadline: April 11, 2012   

 

R2AC Seeks Board Members  

R2AC is currently seeking four board members from Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, and Mahnomen counties to fill a two-year term vacancy beginning July 1, 2012.  To receive an application, please email [email protected] or write to Nominating Committee, Region 2 Arts Council, 426 Bemidji Ave, Bemidji, MN 56601 or call 218-751-5447 or 1 800-275-5447.  Completed applications must be received by May 1, 2012 (deadline extended!)  


R2AC Awards Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants 

R2AC recently awarded $52,500 through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants Program, to schools, arts organizations and non-profits in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen and Lake of the Woods counties. The funds will be used to create opportunities for arts access, arts education and building bridges between Minnesotans and were made available through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on November 4, 2008. Click here for a full list of grant recipients.

 

Northern Arts News Deadline

Deadline for the May issue of the R2AC newsletter, Northern Arts News, is April 7. Please send submissions to Amy Zimmermann.

   
Events
 
R2AC Color Logo April 2   AAI Council review of  AAI grants beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the R2AC office. 
 
April 6   Bemidji First Friday Events See the complete list of events at the BCAC website  
 
April 6   Jon Billing's exhibit "Taker Culture" opens with a reception from 4-8 p.m. at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids. The show consists of sculptures in the form of mixed media assemblages as well as basswood carvings and will be up until April 30.

 

legacysmallApril 12-15   The Bemidji Community Theater and the Paul Bunyan Playhouse present "The Magical Pied Piper" at the historic Chief Theater in Bemidji.  Special performance April 12 at 4 p.m. and cost is $5. Regular performances at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. with a 2 p.m. matinee Sun. Tickets: $12 for adults, $6 children available at Iverson's Corner Drug and Ken K. Thompson Jewelry at the mall. Tickets are available at the box office one hour before each show.

 

legacysmallApril  13-17   Red Bridge Film Festival  will be held at the Park Theatre on Main Street in Park Rapids. For complete list of films and schedule visit their website.

 

R2AC Color LogoApril 16   R2AC Board review of Arts Project Grants beginning at 5:30 in the R2AC office. 

 

April 16   The Heartland Concert Association presents its concert featuring "Redhead Express" at the Park Rapids School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20.

 

legacysmallApril 30   Pequana Playhouse is sponsoring a performance of Hijab Tube by Mixed Blood Theatre in Baudette at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Lake of the Woods School. Cost is $5 per person. This activity is funded in whole or in part by a R2AC grant though an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008.

 

R2AC Color LogoMay 3   Schoolcraft Learning Community presents its 12th Annual Spring concert showcasing the choirs, orchestras and French program. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bemidji High School Performing Arts Center and is free. This event is supported in part by a grant from R2AC through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.

 

 

Workshops

April 2, 9, 16 & 23  Headwaters School of Music and the Arts presents Beginners Clay ClassesAges 8-13: 4:15-5:30 p.m. / Ages 14-adult: 6:30-8 p.m. Call 218-444-5606 to sign up for this Monday evening class.   

 

April 3, 10, 17 & 24  Headwaters School of Music and the Arts presents Youth Orchestra from 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays. The group is for students in grades 5 and up or those who have been in private instruction. Students must be able to play in 1st and 3rd position. Cost: $10 a month.  Call 218-444-5606 to register.  

   

April 4, 11, 18 & 25  Headwaters School of Music and the Arts presents Beginners Violin Class from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. This violin group is for students who have never played a string instrument but want to learn. This class is for students age 6-9. Call 218-444-5606 to register.

 

 

opportuntiesOpportunities 

 

McKnight Artist Fellowships for Visual Artists Deadline: April 6

The fellowship program supports established artists by providing significant financial assistance, by creating opportunities to meet with local and national art professionals, and by organizing a group exhibition. 

 

First City of Arts Studio Cruise 2012: April 15

Artists with studios within a 40 mile radius of Bemidji are invited to apply to participate in the Bemidji - First City of Arts Studio Cruise 2012. This is a working studio event which provides an opportunity for artists to invite the public into their studios to showcase their art and craft.Studio Cruise dates: October 19, 20 and 21. Fees: $10 non-refundable jury fee and $100 artist participation fee.

 

Minnesota River Arts Fair Deadline: April 15 

The Savage Arts Council is now accepting applications from fine artists for the Minnesota River Arts Fair held at The Landing Heritage Park in Shakopee July 28-29. Quality, original fine art, and fine art crafts from Minnesota artists will be featured at this juried event. Fees: $25 non-refundable jury fee and $150 booth fee. For more information, visit their website or email. Click here to register. 

 

Call for Proposals Deadline: May 1

Region 2 artists are encouraged to submit proposals for a public-art project involving the fa�ade of the 90.5 KBXE studios/office space at 305 America Avenue NW in Bemidji. For more information, view the Request For Proposals 

 

legacysmall Lady Slipper Festival Call for Artists Deadline: May 15

If your art depicts nature or you use natural materials in your art, you are invited to take part in the 2012 Lady Slipper Celebration art walk "Art Around Town" in Blackduck June 23. This will be an indoor/outdoor venue with some artists hosted in local businesses, and others in their own booths at various locations around town. Artists that live within 100 miles of any portion of the Lady Slipper Scenic byway are eligible to participate. For more information or for pre-registration, please call Shirley Gilmore at 218-835-7826. 

 

3rd Annual Opener Art Festival

This visual arts show and sale is open to artists in all areas of visual art. There are more than 50 vendor spaces available. The Festival will be at the Nielson Conference Center in the Sanford Center ballrooms on November 3, 2012. Fee:  $75 for 10x10 booth plus $15 processing fee. $10 discount on registrations postmarked before April 2. For information and application, visit the website or call 218-556-5907.

 

 

Noteworthy

Duane "Dewey" Goodwin was recently recognized by the First Peoples Fund as one of six exceptional American Indian Artists, receiving a 2012 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award fellowship. Goodwin is recognized for embodying a Collective Spirit "that manifests self-awareness and a sense of responsibility to sustain the cultural fabric of a community." The Bemidji Pioneer article noted, "For more than 28 years, Goodwin has made countless contributions in art education and art appreciation in Bemidji and the Leech Lake Reservation." Goodwin is recognized with a $5,000 fellowship to use as he sees fit.

 

Roy Booth recently published his book The Flesh of Fallen Angels. Booth also published his one-act comedy written during the Out of Hat IV event titled "The Force and Jedi Loathing Outside of Las Vegas."

 

R2AC Color Logo
About Us
Region 2 Arts Council strengthens the presence of the arts by supporting opportunities for arts creation, promotion, and education for the people of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties.