Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) recently awarded $20,665 through the Arts Project Grants Program, designed for organizations and schools to create or produce an arts project or event. The grant recipients included:
Jackpine Writers’ Bloc, Park Rapids, received $1,415 to publish its 21st volume of “The Talking Stick,” a literary journal featuring the poetry and prose of Minnesota writers, and fund a workshop and book release party.
Depot Preservation Alliance, Baudette, was awarded $1,500 to purchase displays for art exhibitions.
The Bemidji Community Arts Council, Bemidji, received $800 to present, with curator Jason Clark, an exhibit of wood cut prints by artist Eugene Dalzotto featuring educational information on the process and materials used, work by Dalzotto that has never been shown publicly, and also work by Clark.
Bemidji – First City of Art Studio Cruise 2012, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to organize and promote an open studio event of participating artist studios in the Bemidji area that is free to the public.
District 309 Community Education, Park Rapids received $1,385 to offer a Kids’ Theater Camp which will engage students in writing, developing and producing an original play with music.
Kelliher Community Education (KISD 36), Kelliher, was awarded $410 to produce a summer theater day camp at the Old School Center in Kelliher, MN.
Pequana Playhouse, Baudette, was awarded $1,500 to contract with the Prairie Fire Theater to prepare and present a children’s theater production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Headwaters School of Music & the Arts, Bemidji, was awarded $1,479 to host a week-long drumset camp for area percussion students.
Depot Preservation Alliance, Baudette, was awarded $1,500 to present a series of ten arts activity days for kids during the summer of 2012 at the Baudette Depot.
Loon Opera Company, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to perform Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Bemidji High School Performing Arts Complex, Bemidji, MN.
The Bemidji Community Arts Council, Bemidji, received $1,500 to present and host the 10th Annual “It’s Only Clay” National Juried Ceramics Competition and Exhibition juried by ceramic artist Robert Briscoe and in conjunction with “Sharing the Fire Tour” at Bemidji State University.
Minnesota Folklore Theater, Park Rapids, received $1,500 to produce “Annie” in celebration of 100 years of the Nevis Schools as part of their second annual Youth Theater Camp.
Headwaters School of Music & the Arts, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to provide a concert series at the Lake Bemidji State Park amphitheater every weekend during the summer of 2012.
Lake of the Woods Art Guild, Baudette, was awarded $754 to host a still life oil painting workshop instructed by accomplished artist Ruth Ann Nordlund.
CSSI/Hope House, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to contract with artists-in-residence Cindy Ekren and Judith Selby to create a second book featuring client writing and artwork.
Nemeth Art Center, Park Rapids, was awarded $922 to host a grand opening exhibit of the permanent collection of Old Masters, including a narrated slideshow of the full collection and a separate slideshow on the establishment of the art center and the history of its permanent collection.
The next deadline for the Arts Project Grant is September 12, 2012. Call the Region 2 Arts Council office at 751-5447 or 1-800-275-5447 for more information. Applications for these grants will be available this summer in the Region 2 Arts Council Office at 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN 56601, or for download from our website.
Doing Business Online is a FREE professional development workshop for Region 2 artists taking place in Bemidji on June 11, 2012. 
