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On February 22, 2024 the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors, with support from community panel reviews on February 13^thand 15^th, awarded $18,000 to artists from within our five-county region. These grants provide financial assistance to artists in any arts discipline, or in any stage of their career as an artist, that reside in the Minnesota counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen. The Artist Support Grant program is supported by the McKnight Foundation through a grant to fund costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of creative work, purchase of materials or equipment to create works of art, educational opportunities in the arts, and other opportunities to enhance an artist’s development such as working with a mentor artist, attending a national conference, taking part in an artist residency program, or marketing themselves or their work.

Wendell Affield of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to create, edit, format, and publish Excerpts from Prison, a collection of stories as told by a man from the White Earth Nation about his life in prison in a series of letter excerpts between the author and the incarcerated man.

Charles Alberti of Bemidji was awarded $516 to create a booklet of artwork featuring four seasons from his life in the timelines of childhood, adolescence, adult and senior stages including personal narratives and poems by the artist.

Griffin Blegen of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to purchase an underwater camera housing in order to expand his photography to underwater subjects and scenes.

Nick Bretz of Park Rapids was awarded $1,999 to purchase a sound system to assist in a captivating series of magic shows and entertainment, spotlighting the magical talents of Imaginick.

Jason Ewert of Bemidji was awarded $1,985 to refurbish his Super 8mm camera and acquire film stock to continue making award-winning films.

Monica Hansmeyer of Turtle River was awarded $2,000 to purchase a Leica A60-F Microscope with a Versa Acrobat stand to assist her vision with fine detailed jewelry hand engraving and gem setting.

Jeremiah Liend of Turtle River was awarded $2,000 to produce the original play Irresponsible Men Irresponsible Women in its a global premier.

Lisa Lund of Bemidji was awarded $1,500 to systematically learn floor loom weaving techniques, theory and practice by purchasing the specific fiber needed for coursework for seasons 3-5 offered through Jane Stafford School of Weaving online.

Eric Olson of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to pay travel, room, and board costs associated with offering a performance, as well as educational master classes, in Pienza, Italy as part of the Pienza Music Festival.

Eric Sundeen of Bemidji was awarded $2,000 to purchase a marimba to further his commitment to being a well-rounded percussionist and to use this instrument for teaching and upcoming performance opportunities within the community.

Region 2 Arts Council Artist Support Grants are made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation

Dear Region 2 Arts Advocate,
Please REGISTER now to attend Zoom meetings with our district legislators on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. All meetings are 15 minutes long, and when you register, you’ll receive updated times, dates, and secure Zoom login information.

There will be a team leader and other advocates on each call; you will not be attending alone! On these calls, everyone is encouraged to share about one impactful arts activity that has made a difference or lasting impression in your community.

This is also an opportunity to THANK OUR LEGISLATORS and let them know that Legacy funding through the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Council system matters!

When you register, you will automatically be assigned to Zoom meetings based on where you live. District legislators who have agreed to meet with us are listed below,. Please REGISTER. Times are subject to change. (and contact us at staff@r2arts.org if you have questions!)

District 2B: Rep Matt Bliss, 10:30 a.m. Wed March 6

District 5: Sen Paul Utke
1 p.m. Wed March 6

District 2: Sen Steve Green
1 p.m. Thurs March 7

Unpredictable and blustery weather today means Region 2 Staff will be working from home. Feel free to contact us via email at staff@r2arts.org or send a text at (218) 407-2507.

The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Fellowship deadline is March 1. For more information on this grant and eligibility requirements, go to https://r2arts.org/arts-grants-for-individuals/anishinaabe-arts-initiative-fellowship/. Contact us with questions and for support.

On January 19, 2024, the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors awarded $80,000 in Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds to area non-profit entities following a community panel review of 24 applications. Organizations could submit up to two proposals each. 18 total projects were granted, promising to bring high-quality, accessible arts activities to primarily benefit the people of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties. Region 2 Arts Council Arts Access Grants are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center and its Northern Hearts Studio program in Park Rapids was awarded $5,950 for Artistic Creations 1, a studio program that engages local teaching artists to provide integrated workshops in printmaking, ceramics, photography, and tie dye with an invitation to the community to participate with HCDAC clients in the studio.

The Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center and its Northern Hearts Studio program in Park Rapids was awarded $6,000 for Artistic Creations 2, astudio program designed to provide integrated workshops in printmaking, ceramics, papermaking, painting, native beading, and leatherworking with local artists, inviting community members to participate.

Loon Country Arts in Bemidji was awarded $1,273 for Warm Your Heart with a Little Art; ten 2-hour classes in different mediums free to the public.

Loon Country Arts in Bemidji was awarded $1,273 to create Pathways to Art; an outreach mentoring system to foster the artslearning process by pairing individual young people aged 13-18 with an adult artist in one of five artisticfields.

NordaGonvick Rosemalers in Shevlin was awarded $2,580 for an Agdar Rosemaling Class,
bringing in experienced instructor Trudy Peach in June 2024 to teach workshop participants a style of rosemaling from the Agdar region of Norway.

The Armory Arts & Events Center in Park Rapids was awarded $6,000 to host two affordable and accessible concerts in April and October 2024 that will appeal to a wide variety of age groups.

The Armory Arts & Events Center in Park Rapids was awarded $4,400 to providethree arts workshops to the Park Rapids/Hubbard County community in March, May, and June 2024.

The City of Clearbrook was awarded $6,000 for a Youth Access to Arts program, engaging8 -18 year-olds from area rural communities in several Community Education “Youth Edition” programs in summer and late fall 2024.

Imagine Recovery Retreat in Cass Lake was awarded $6,000 to hold workshops for the public in photography, watercolors, and creating caricatures in spring and summer 2024.

Clear Waters Life Center in Gonvick was awarded $1,274 for its Create it! Studio mentorship program in its community art studio. Mentors will assist with project design and planning, offering skill introduction, training and ongoing support during the creative process.

The Bemidji State University Music Department was awarded $2,000 for a Concert Series in Brazilian Music & Dance, bringing in dance artist Rosely Conz for a residency of masterclasses, workshops and performances featuring Brazilian music and dance styles in February 2024.

Heartland Arts in Park Rapids was awarded $6,000 to sponsor Art Leap 2024, a fall driving tour of artists’ studios and area cultural destinationson September 28 and September 29, 2024

Red Lake Middle School was awarded $5,550 for a Metal-working Residency that will engage
metalworking artist David Estrada to provide metalworking classes to students in grades 6-8 to create a project they can take home.

Headwaters Music & Arts in Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to hold a one-week Fiddle Camp for stringed instrument musicians of all ages in June 2024.

Watermark Art Center in Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to support its “Art in Nature” program by covering artist honorariums, travel costs, and supplies for the educational workshops Felted Tapestries, Weaving Water, and a Paint and Hike Experience.

The Northern Artist Association was awarded $6,000 to collaborate with the City of Bemidji to offer Community Artistic Adventures; 12 free art classes to adults over the age of 18 in March and April, 2024.

The City of Bemidji Parks & Rec Department was awarded $1,700 to host Mini Musicians, an introductory music class for preschool aged children with their caretakers March – April 2024.

The City of Bemidji Parks & Rec Department was awarded $6000 for a Summer Theater Day Camp that will engage the Bemidji Community Theater to host the camp for youth, also known as BCT Jr., in June 2024.

Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) will review the 49 of the 50 grant application received for the Artist Support Grant this week in two panels. Community panelists will meet via Zoom on Tuesday February 13, 2024 at 5:30- 9:00 pm for grant applications ASG-2024-01 to ASG-2024-25 and on Thursday February 15th at 2:00-5:00 pm for grant applications ASG-2024-26 to ASG-2024-50. Agendas for Artist Support Grant Panels: 2/13/24 or 2/15/24

Please contact R2AC staff if you would like a link to be an observer for either panel review. Click here to view our rules for observers.

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Contact us if you are interested in being on an Artist Support Grant Panel in February!

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