Northern Arts News - March 2015

In This Issue

Creative MN Report Release

Rural Arts and Culture Summit

Featured Events

Seeking R2AC Board Reps

Grant Deadlines

Professional Development Workshops

Featured Opportunities

Noteworthy

Report Release

On Thursday March 5, a new study on the health and impact of the nonprofit arts and culture sector will be released by Sheila Smith of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and Region 2 Arts Council.

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: Rail River Folk School, 303 Railroad Street SW in Bemidji.

All are invited to this event & encouraged to participate in a discussion following the release.

Thirty nine nonprofit arts and culture organizations in North Central Minnesota participated in the study.

June 2-4

Funding Available from Region 2 to help get you there!

Every two years, this go-to conference for artists and arts organizers draws participants from Minnesota and the surrounding states. The summit takes place at the University of Minnesota - Morris.

If you live in the five counties of Region 2 Arts Council, you are invited to apply now for funding that will help cover the costs of travel, lodging, and registration.

Awards are granted on a first-come-first-served basis through April 6 (or until the funding runs out).

Award recipients will be reimbursed after the Summit, upon the submission of a final report and receipts.

presents

Minnesota Emerging Writers Grant Meeting

with Bao Phi

Watermark Art Center in Bemidji will host an informational meeting regarding the Minnesota Emerging Writers Grant on March 16 at 5:30 p.m.

Leading the meeting will be Bao Phi, program director for The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, which sponsors the grant. This event, held in Watermark's Main Gallery, will be an informal Q&A session to help interested writers best prepare for the application process.

The Minnesota Emerging Writers Grant is a tremendous opportunity for area writers and Watermark is proud to assist in spreading the word. The meeting will be a time of networking and visiting in addition to information, with free coffee provided.

Attendance is free but please pre-register by sending an email to bphi@loft.org.

Northern Arts News Deadline

Deadline for submissions for the April 2015 issue of the Northern Arts News is March 20th by 5 p.m.

Region 2 Arts Council
426 Bemidji Ave.
Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
staff@r2arts.org
218-751-5447

R2AC Seeks Board Representatives

Region 2 Arts Council has the following Board positions open in these counties:

two from Lake of the Woods County
one from Hubbard County
one from Clearwater County

Apply by April 1, 2015. These positions will start on July 1, 2015.

If you are interested in serving on the board, please call (218) 751-5447 / (800) 275-5447 or email staff@r2arts.org. For current Board information, visit our web site: http://r2arts.org/about/board-related/.

Please Apply! Your voices and your vision matter.

Memories of
Arts Advocacy Day
at the Capitol

The March newsletter header features Senator Rod Skoe standing in the Senate Chamber at the State Capitol with arts advocates from Region 2, Five Wings, and Northwest Arts Councils.

Thank you to all who attended. We had a great day!

Grant Deadlines

Click HERE for the full grant deadline list.

Next up:

Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grant - March 5, 2015. Enrolled tribal members and their descendents may request up to $1000. This grant is open to native artists residing in the five counties of Region 2 Arts Council as well as those residing in nearby Roseau, Itasca, Becker, and Cass counties.

Arts Project Grant - March 12, 2015.
Open to schools, government offices, community ed programs, and non-profit organizations. Applicants may request up to $2500.

Application forms are available at the Region 2 Arts Council Office, 426 Bemidji Avenue N., Bemidji, MN and on our website, r2arts.org.

Call 751-5447 / toll free 1-800-275-5447, or e-mail staff@r2arts.org for assistance.

Professional Development Workshops for Artists

Bemidji: March 10, 2015

Record Keeping and Financial Management for Artists with Springboard for the Arts'

Naomi Schliesman.How does your actual income compare with your desired income? If working with numbers drives you crazy, we have clear, simple methods for setting up your financial books. Learn how Budgets and Cash Flow Statements help you plan for profit (it isn't just whatever is left at the end.) Making accurate projections about what to expect allows you to plan for it and to prosper. Also good for teaching artists interested in doing residencies.

Time: 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Location: Rail River Folk School, 303 Rail Road Street SW

Park Rapids: March 11, 2015

Legal Considerations for Artists with Springboard for the Arts' Naomi Schliesman.
From protecting your intellectual property to choosing a legal form for your artistic business, an understanding of underlying legal principles will help you make smarter choices. This session centers on information about copyrights and contract basics regarding selling and licensing your work, as well as getting into business.

Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Coldwell Banker, 101 Main Street S.

Please contact Region 2 Arts Council at 218 751-5447 or staff@r2arts.org to reserve your space! Registration Deadline for either workshop: Friday, March 6, 2015.

Looking for more great arts events and workshops? Check out the R2AC Arts Events Calendar

Featured Opportunities

Deadline: March 13 - Native American Fellowship Opportunity at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Applicants must be either currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts degree program or Fine Arts program or have already received a college degree, be self-motivated, detail oriented and a team player and have strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Get more information at http://new.artsmia.org/jobs/native-american-fellowship/

Deadline: March 20 - Rural Arts Program

The Musser Fund hopes to assist nonprofit arts organizations to develop, implement or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music and performing arts. For applicant organizations in Minnesota's Aitkin, Becker, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Mahnomen, Todd, and Wadena Counties. For additional information on the Rural Arts Program, please see the Fund's website at http://www.musserfund.org.

Deadline: March 20 - McKnight Visual Artist Fellowships

A video recording of the MCAD information session is available online. Artists are also welcome to schedule one-on-one meetings in person or over the phone. For complete information, visit mcad.edu/mcknight. For more information, contact 612.874.3803 or email gallery@mcad.edu.

Early Bird Deadline: April 1, 2015 -- Park Rapids Summer Art Fair

The Park Rapids Downtown Business Association will sponsor a juried art fair in conjunction with the 5th Annual Bite of Park Rapids on Sunday, July 12. The Park Rapids area draws thousands of summer visitors and seasonal residents who enjoy our lakes and rich cultural traditions every year. The application form is available (under Current Promotions) at www.parkrapidsdowntown.com

Deadline: April 3 - Minnesota Emerging Writers' Grant 2015

The 2015 Minnesota Emerging Writers' Grant is now officially open! Providing financial support and professional assistance, this grant helps writers develop and implement plans for their artistic endeavors. Winners will be selected to receive grants of up to $10,000 to underwrite projects of their own design. Attend the March 16 informational meeting tat the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji for details. Apply at

https://www.loft.org/programs__awards/grants__awards/mn_emerging_writers_grant/

Deadline: April 15 The Bemidji - First City of Arts Studio Cruise

The First City of the Arts Studio Cruise is a self-guided tour of the studios of artists working within a 40-mile radius of Bemidji that is free and open to the public. Over the course of three days the public is invited to visit participating artists in their creative space. Studio Cruise Dates are TBD. Artists interested in applying should go to http://watermarkartcenter.org/our-programs/studio-cruise-application/

Bemidji Sculpture Walk 2015: Call for Artists
Bemidji's 17th Annual Juried Public Art Exposition Participate this year in Northern Minnesota's premiere public art venue. The Sculpture Walk committee will select the 20 best submissions, based on their conceptual strength, originality, and workmanship. These will be presented for 12 months in locations throughout Bemidji, MN. For more information and application please submit today! Go to http://www.bemidjisculpture.org/

MInnesota State Arts Board Deadlines:

All application deadlines for fiscal year 2016 Minnesota State Arts Board grants are available on the calendar page of the Arts Board Web site.

Several upcoming deadlines include:

Arts Access Application Deadline: April 24, 2015
Arts Festival Support Application Deadline: May 22, 2015.
Artist Initiative Literary Arts/Performing Arts Deadline: June 12, 2015.
Folk and Traditional Arts Deadline: June 26, 2015

Contact MSAB: Call (651) 215-1600 or email msab@arts.state.mn.us

Noteworthy

Congratulations to the 2015 Artist Mentor Grant Recipients! The following students will receive up to 20 hours of one-on-one mentoring with an established Minnesota artist or funding to attend a camp in their arts discipline:

Alyssa Daken: Writing

Allyson Allen: Voice
Skylar Fynboh: Guitar
Nikita Graves: Drawing
Emily Kivi: Violin

McKenzy Wegley: Guitar

These students have been selected based on their motivation, commitment, creativity, and readiness to expand their arts learning in a new direction.