Category Archives: Region 2 Counties

Timeless Traditions at the Depot in Baudette THIS Sunday!

Posted on 02/24/2012 | Comments Off

 Timeless Traditions, an ensemble that blends the Native American Flute and Celtic Folk harp in classic, ethnic, and contemporary music in original settings, will be  at the Baudette Depot at 3:00 p.m. this Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Jon Romer (flutes) and Jacque Tinsley (harp) will be collaborating with Andre Ronnevik on the violin.  Timeless Traditions strives to celebrate the rich musical heritage of many world cultures as well as its extraordinary diversity.  Audiences often comment on the calm, healing nature of Timeless Traditions performances.

Please stay after the concert for refreshments and an opportunity to visit with the artists, mingle with the crowd, and check out the ambiance of the restored 1923 Depot.  Free will donations accepted.

This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on November 4, 2008.

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Posted in Lake of the Woods, Music

$22,700 Available to be Awarded through R2AC Arts Project Grants!

Posted on 02/17/2012 | Comments Off

Arts organizations, non-profit organizations, schools (including community education offices), and units of government from Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties are encouraged to apply for an Arts Project Grant.  The deadline for application is March 14, 2012.

Arts Project Grants require a 50% cash match of the total project cost. Organizations can apply for grants up to $1,500 per project.  With $22,700 available, that’s enough to fund at least fifteen separate arts projects!

Art projects including costs related to performances or exhibitions, engagement of guest artists or artists-in-residence, and classes, conferences, workshops, publications, films or other presentations that promote arts awareness are the types of projects funded through Arts Project Grants.

Projects funded through R2AC’s grants programs should have primary impact on, and accessibility to, residents of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen Counties.

Region 2 Arts Council staff would be happy to discuss your ideas with you and answer any questions you may have on completing your application. Call 751-5447, toll free at 1-800-275-5447, or e-mail staff@r2arts.org for more information. Applications are available at the Region 2 Arts Council Office, 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN  56601 or are available for download here.

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Posted in Announcements, Arts Projects Grants, Region 2 Counties

Arts Downtown Park Rapids Tonight, Thursday February 16

Posted on 02/16/2012 | Comments Off

The Arts Downtown PR series continues from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 in downtown Park Rapids.

Diane Sauer and Jan Lundsten will be featured from 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Bella Caffè, 116 3rd Street West. These two friends have entertained audiences individually and together for many years. Both have performed locally or you may have seen them perform at the Woodtick Theater in Akeley.

From 5:30 to 6 and 6:30 to 7 p.m. poet Sharon Harris and her niece, author and designer Tarah L. Wolff, will be at Beagle Books, 112 3rd Street West. They will take turns reading from their new books and talk about Jack Pine Writers Bloc. Harris will read from her new book of poetry (her third), Unspoken. Wolff will read from her first book, a fantasy novel in a planned series, Embraced by Darkness, Book One: Sacrifices. Wolff did the covers and layout for both books and Harris edited them. Copies will be available.

The new band, Small Town Fugitives, will play blues and folk-inspired rock music from 5:30 to 6 and 6:30 to 7 p.m. at The Good Life Cafe, 220 South Main Ave. Members of this new band are Nate Decker on bass; his sister, Angie, on drums and her husband, Ryan Schilling, on guitar; and his brother, John Schilling, on mandolin. Ryan also does lead vocals and is the group’s songwriter. Nate and Ryan have been playing together for about a year, but this will be the four-member band’s debut.

Third Thursday events are designed to bring audiences to see and hear visual artists, musicians, writers and other artists in businesses in downtown Park Rapids on the Third Thursday of the month. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to make a free will donation to the artists. Contact Lu Ann Hurd-Lof at 652-4081 or luann47@gmail.com.

This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008.

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Posted in Announcements, Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants, Hubbard County

Thursday February 16: Marketing your Website for Artists (there’s still space!)

Posted on 02/15/2012 | Comments Off

Whether you have a website or you’re planning your future site, there’s something for every artist in Marketing your Website.

Thursday February 16, from 5:30-8:30 in the Bemidji High School Computer Lab, our presenter, UMN-Extension educator Adeel Ahmed, will discuss strategies artists can use to get their website “on the digital map,” bringing traffic more efficiently and more effectively to their site.

There’s still time for you to sign up for this FREE workshop!  Please call Region 2 Arts Council today at 218 751-5447 or email us at staff@r2arts.org and let us know you are coming.

Here’s what the instructor says about Marketing your Website:
“Customers get to websites in different ways such as through search, advertisements, business cards and brochures, and links from other websites…The class will focus on how to get listed higher in Google search which includes getting your link on other websites, using social media, business aggregation sites, email lists,  location based services, and review based services.”

Remember: the workshop is FREE and open to all artists we serve through the Region 2 Arts Council. We hope to hear from you!

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Posted in Announcements, Professional Development Workshops, Region 2 Counties

Community Arts Support Grant Deadline: February 15, 2012

Posted on 02/09/2012 | Comments Off

Did you know that Community Arts Support Grants are open to any arts organization in Region 2?  Read on!

These grants are two-year awards that help provide some measure of funding stability for arts organizations so that their energy can be better focused on increasing the quality and availability of the arts to their communities. Organizations can qualify to apply for up to $6,000 in funds based on their annual expenses.

If your arts organization misses this application deadline, you will need to wait two years before you have the opportunity to apply again. Applications are available at the Region 2 Arts Council Office, 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN  56601 and are also available for download here.

Projects funded through R2AC’s grants programs should have primary impact on and accessibility to residents of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen Counties.

We would be happy to discuss your ideas with you or assist you in completing the application form. Call 751-5447, toll free at 1-800-275-5447, or e-mail staff@r2arts.org.

This grant is funded, in whole or in part, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on November 4, 2008.

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Posted in Artist and Operational Grants, Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants, Grant Deadlines, Region 2 Counties

Individual Artist Grant Deadline February 7th! Are You Ready?

Posted on 02/01/2012 | Comments Off

All submissions for Region 2 Arts Council Individual Artist Grants are due in the Region 2 Arts Council office by 5 p.m. on February 7, 2012 or postmarked and in the mail by that same date. 

Individual Artists Grants support individual artists who reside in Hubbard, Beltrami, Lake of the Woods, Clearwater, and Mahnomen counties in the creation and promotion of their art.  Applicants may apply for funds up to $1000.

Download a copy of the Individual Artist Grant here, or stop by the Region 2 Arts Council office at 426 Bemidji Avenue in Bemidji to pick up a paper copy of the grant.  Our office is open 9-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Posted in Artist and Operational Grants, Grant Deadlines, Region 2 Counties

Artist Mentor Grant Program Informational Meeting

Posted on 01/25/2012 | Comments Off

Artist Mentor Grant Recipient Kiah Hartung's Recent Work

Are you an 8th-12th grade student  (in school or homeschooled) with talent and a passion for the arts?  The parent of an 8-12 grade student artist?  A teacher who wants to learn about a grant opportunity for students you know with a special arts talent?  An artist interested in mentoring a young  artist?

Come to an informational meeting about Region 2 Arts Council’s Artist Mentor grant program!

On February 21, Region 2 Arts Council is hosting a panel discussion to inform interested 8-12 graders, their parents, teachers, and local artists about the Artist Mentor grant program. Artist mentors and student grant recipients will speak candidly about the working together and the application process.  There will be time for questions.

WHAT: Artist Mentor Grant Program Informational Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday February 21st from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, 519 Minnesota Avenue NW, Bemidji

Registration Deadline Feb 17th:  Contact staff@r2arts.org or 218-751-5447 / 800-275-5447.  Can’t make it to the meeting? Download a copy of the Artist Mentor Grant application here.  Contact Region 2 Arts Council with questions.  Applications are due April 11th.

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Posted in Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants, Grant Deadlines, Region 2 Counties, Workshops

Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids Seeks a New Director

Posted on 01/18/2012 | Comments Off

The Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids, MN is seeking applicants for the position of Director.  This is a part-time position requiring some weekend and evening hours in addition to some weekdays.

The ideal candidate will be professional, well-spoken, enthusiastic, and connected to the arts community.

Please send a resume to Nemeth Art Center, PO Box 328, Park Rapids , MN  56470. For complete job description, visit nemethartcenter.org.  Resumes must be received by Feb. 15.

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Posted in Announcements, Hubbard County, Visual Arts

Poetry Out Loud in Region 2

Posted on 01/17/2012 | Comments Off

Brian Madigan poses with the Poetry Out Loud book of poems

As part of the National Poetry Out Loud competition, high school students across the state are choosing to recite poetry this month before a panel of judges.

For some, the goal is to be chosen to compete in their regional competition in February. Others hope to go on to the state competition in St. Paul.  Still others set their sights on the national competition in Washington D.C., while some students prefer simpler goals: understanding  a poem, and learning it by heart.

Eleven students at Voyageurs Expeditionary High School in Bemidji stood up for poetry this year, choosing to present their poems before two judges, Laura Dehler-Seter and Holly Alcott from Region 2 Arts Council.

Cindy Nelson, English Instructor at VEHS has hosted Poetry Out Loud competitions at Voyageurs for the past several years.  This year she was assisted by VEHS staff member Ruth Webb, who coached interested students in practicing their poems.

VEHS Poetry Enthusiasts, their teachers, and R2AC judges

The top three finishers, Ilsa Thooft (1st place, seated in front with the hat), Brandon Madigan (2nd place, standing in the middle), and Maddie Thooft (3rd place, seated front right)will compete at the Regional Competition in Fosston on February 18.

In addition to Voyageurs, other Region 2 schools competing in Poetry Out Loud include Clearbrook-Gonvick High School, Laporte School, and Trek North. Kaija Roy from Trek North was one of 12 state finalists in the 2011 competition.

For more information about Poetry Out Loud, visit PoetryOutLoud.org.  To learn more about the Poetry Out Loud initiative in Minnesota, please go to the Minnesota State Arts Board link http://www.arts.state.mn.us/other/poetry.htm.

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Posted in Announcements, Literary, Region 2 Counties

Arts Downtown Park Rapids this Thursday!

Posted on 01/16/2012 | Comments Off

Make the Most

The Arts Downtown PR series continues from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 in downtown Park Rapids.

Lori Goulet Reich will be featured from 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Bella Caffè. A transplant from Minneapolis, Lori trained as a vocal classical singer for seven years and took some guitar lessons, too. She sang with a classic rock band and a country band while living in the Twin Cities and  was a church soloist for 10 years. Lori and her family have lived at Lake Itasca for the past five and a half years, and she plays in the country band, Buck Geezer.

The reggae band, Make the Most, will warm the January night with sounds from the Caribbean from 5:30 to 6 and 6:30 to 7 p.m. at The Good Life Cafe. Josh Prendiz does lead vocals and guitar, Brandon Prendiz is on the drums and Roger Fenzel plays bass and does back up vocals. Make the Most has been together for the past two and a half years, has performed in Grand Forks and Detroit Lakes and most recently at Terrapin Station in Nevis. The band also performed at the Youth Music and Arts III concert in August. Josh, Brandon and Roger have just finished recording their first studio album.

Third Thursday events are designed to bring audiences to see and hear visual artists, musicians, writers and other artists in businesses in downtown Park Rapids on the Third Thursday of the month. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to make a free will donation to the artists. Contact Lu Ann Hurd-Lof at 652-4081 or luann47@gmail.com with questions.

This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008.

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Posted in Announcements, Hubbard County, Music