Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant Deadline: Aug. 16

Open to artists in all arts disciplines, any non-profit organization, school (including community education offices), or units of government. This grant supports three key areas: Art Activities and Arts Access, Arts Education, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Individual artists can apply for grants up to $3,000 and organizations for grants up to $6,000.

Arts Project Grant Deadline: Sept. 12

Open to any non-profit organization, school (including community education offices), or units of government. This grant supports funding for a variety of arts projects including costs related to performances or exhibitions, engagement of guest artists, and artists in residence. NEW: Organizations can apply for funding for up to 80% of project costs up to $1,500.

R2AC/McKnight Career Development Fellowship Deadline: Sept. 12

Open to established artists in all disciplines who have shown a commitment to their career. This 18-month fellowship provides the opportunity for career development experiences that will add depth and advancement to any artistic career. Two $6,000 fellowships will be awarded per year.

Keep your arts organization ahead of the curve!  Attend a FREE CDP training in August!  

Arts Organizations in Region 2 and across the state of Minnesota are participating in Cultural Data Project (CDP) training sessions this summer. The CDP is a FREE online management and reporting tool for arts organizations. CDP training sessions will show participants how to access the CDP, input their organization's information, and achieve maximum benefits by leveraging the results.

Date:     August 22, 2012 

Time:     10:00-11:30 a.m.

Location: 519 Minnesota Ave (Headwaters School of Music and the Arts) Bemidji, MN 

Click here for more information or to register for this FREE orientation to the CDP.

Cultural Data Project New User Orientation Webinars
The CDP's orientation sessions will provide an overview of the history and goals of the project, an introduction to the types of data collected and tips for how to get started completing your Data Profile or using the CDP's reporting features.

These sessions are a great way to get the most from CDP. Visit their  website for more information about the CDP Orientation Webinar on August 6th.   

No-Risk Workshop Funding Available

Are you an artist living in the five counties of Region 2 with a talent to share? Are you an arts enthusiast wanting to bring some new talent to our region in the form of a workshop? 

R2AC invites individuals and organizations from our five county area (Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen Counties) to propose workshop ideas to R2AC for direct funding. Please download an application from our website or contact our office.  

For more information, contact Executive Director Sue Gens by email or 651-215-1609. 

Brainerd Writers Alliance Call for Writers Deadline: August 15

Minnesota writers are invited to enter the Brainerd Writers Alliance state-wide contest for fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. Prizes are $50 for first place and $25 for second place in each category and winning entries will not be posted on their website or published in any way, so that they may be submitted later as "not previously published." See complete submission guidelines on the Brainerd Writers Alliance website.  

All contest entrants are encouraged to attend the Brainerd Writers Alliance Fall writers workshop October 27. The winning writers will read their pieces in the morning and St. Cloud State University Director of Creative Writing Bill Meissner will speak in the afternoon. Watch their website for more details about the writers workshop. 

Cultural Community Partnership Grant Program Deadline: Aug. 17

The Minnesota State Arts Board announces the availability of the Cultural Community Partnership Grant Program. Grant overview and application is available on the MSAB website. Go to the program page and select Community Partnership Overview and Instructions.

Please contact Program Director Kathee Foran with questions at 651-215-1626 or by email.

Springboard for the Arts Healthcare Resources

Springboard for the Arts has a free Guide to Healthcare downloadable on their website that defines key terms and helps artists navigate the health insurance system. 

If you have any questions or more information, please contact Nikki at Springboard. 

10th Annual It's Only Clay Deadline: Sept. 5

BCAC Call for Ceramic Artists for the 10th Annual It's Only Clay National Juried Ceramics Competition and Exhibit in Bemidji, MN. 2012 Juror - Robert Briscoe.  IOC is dedicated to functional clay vessels and open to artists 18 years or older in the United States.  All work must be functional ceramics. Submitted works must be original and produced after January 2011.  All entries must value $500 or less. $30 for 3 entries.  Prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and equal $1,600.00.  Purchase awards for Margaret Harlow Vessel Collection at Bemidji State University. This activity is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature. 

Book Arts Mentorships Deadline Sept. 5

The Minnesota Center for the Book Arts and the Jerome Foundation announce the fourth biennial series of Book Arts Mentorship opportunities available for emerging artists. The Book Arts Mentorship is an artistic development program aimed at introducing book arts to emerging artists whose primary medium is in another discipline.

For more information, guidelines and application, visit their website. For questions about the Book Arts Mentorships or the application process, please contact Sara Parr at 612-215-2526 or by email.

MCAD-Jerome Foundation Fellowships for Emerging Artists Deadline Sept. 14

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design - Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists is available for those who work in a variety of visual art media, including both traditional and new media. The program is aimed at visual artists who can present their work in a gallery context, and eligible applicants must be in the early stages of their careers and have not yet attained professional acknowledgement commensurate with the quality of their work.

An independent jury of three arts professionals competitively awards $10,000 grants to five artists. Fellowships may be used to purchase materials, cover the production costs of artwork, and supplement living or travel costs. During the twelve-month fellowship year, each artist receives three studio visits from professional critics, free enrollment in one professional development course, access to technical assistance, a culminating exhibition at the MCAD Gallery, a catalog with a critical essay on each artist's work, and the opportunity to partake in a public panel discussion.

This program is administered by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Email or call 612.874.3667 for more information or visit the website.