Region 2 Arts Council Blog
Arts Board announces Building Evaluation Capacity webinar series
Building Evaluation Capacity for the Arts
The Minnesota State Arts Board is pleased to announce another four-part evaluation capacity building webinar series. Any individual or organization that provides arts programming is welcome to attend. The series will focus on evaluation of community impact. Do you want to learn about how to understand the larger community impact of your arts-based programs? If so, this series is for you!
The goal of Building Evaluation Capacity for the Arts is to enhance evaluation skills in arts programs and to create a community of learners committed to evaluation. Participants can attend all sessions or only the ones they find most helpful.
Please note, participating in this training is optional and will not influence any current or future grant or grant application with the Minnesota State Arts Board.
All webinars will be held from 1:30-3:00 p.m. The following are the dates and brief descriptions of each session:
March 12: The art of evaluation. Learn more about evaluating arts programs, and how you can develop outcomes to drive your evaluation.
March 26: Evaluating community impact in the arts. Learn how to conduct an impact evaluation focused on your community. In this session, you will think about what benefits are relevant to the communities you serve and how you can evaluate those benefits.
April 9: Measuring community impact in the arts. Explore a variety of methods to evaluate your programs. Methods will include those that focus on your community, such as needs assessment and participatory approaches to assess impact such as ripple effect mapping.
April 23: How arts organizations approach evaluation. Learn and get practical ideas from other Minnesota arts programs that are evaluating their arts projects and programs.
If you are interested in participating, please register by selecting each session you are interested in attending. Register here.
Region 2 Arts Council awards $89,500 in Arts Access Grants
On January 16, 2025, the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors awarded $89,500 in Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds to area non-profit entities following a community panel review of 18 applications. Organizations could submit up to two proposals each. Seventeen 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.
4 Directions Development in Red Lake received $6,000 to host the 2025 Anishinaabe Art Festival, an event dedicated to creating visibility for Indigenous artists and community access to traditional art displays.
Loon Country Arts in Bemidji received $6,000 to offer 15 classes in different artistic mediums that are free to the public.
Loon Country Arts in Bemidji received $6,000 to offer a series of 15 free arts classes and two internship opportunities geared specifically to young people.
Heartland Arts in Park Rapids received $6,000 to sponsor Art Leap 2025, an annual fall driving tour of Heartland Lakes artists’ studios and Park Rapids area cultural destinations.
The NordaGonvick Rosemalers in Leonard received $2,683 to offer a three-day workshop in September with Carol Bender who will teach the rosemaling method of Numedal.
Lake of the Woods School Community Education in Baudette received $5,500 to provide a Musical Theater Camp in August 2025 to area children free of charge.
Bemidji High School received $6,000 to assist in funding their Fall Musical in September 2025.
Heartland Lakes Community School in Park Rapids received $6,000 to contract with Mary Therese, a local mural artist, who will engage HLCS students, staff, and local community members in painting a mural depicting pollinators in a pollinator garden.
Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative received $6,000 to organize a multi-organization collaborative music event at the Bemidji waterfront.
The Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center received $6,000 to produce a musical at the Armory Arts and Events Center, in which participants will create a puppet show with original sets and costumes, and also host a printmaking workshop with artist Brett Lysne.
The Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center received $6,000 to provide integrated workshops in sculptural papermaking with Jill Odegaard, basket weaving with Shannon Westrum, and painting workshops with Kent Estey to expand exposure to new techniques as part of their Northern Hearts art studio program.
The Clearwater County Historical Society in Shevlin received $1,500 to provide a community concert in the Spring of 2025.
The City of Bemidji Parks & Recreation Department received $6,000 to host a Summer Theater Day Camp for youth known as BCT Jr. in partnership with Bemidji Community Theater
The City of Park Rapids received $6,000 for their Arts and Culture Advisory Commission to increase stipends paid to selected artists who are part of the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail.
The Bemidji Senior Center received $4,242 to host a Bemidji Woodcarvers Club workshop presented by Marty Dolphens, a notable woodcarver in the Midwest who uses a technique called "realism in the round”.
Kitchen Sink Productions in Park Rapids received $3,575 to provide a community theater production in "kitchen sink realism" in March 2025.
In Honor of MMIR
February 14th, 2025 R2Arts will be joining the In Honor of MMIR march from NWICDC to BSU in Bemidji.
Join us as we gather together to honor our relatives through a march. Wear red and bring your signs.
9 AM - 10:45 AM
Sign making at NWICDC.
Supplies provided, as well as a light breakfast and beverages.
11 AM - 11:30 AM
March from NWICDC to BSU Beaux Arts Ballroom.
11 :30 AM - 3 PM
Program at Beaux Arts Ballroom
In partnership with Mending the Sacred Hoop, Indigenous Environmental Network, Aazhoomon & Council of Indian Students BSU.
Contact MMIW218 Facebook Page with any additional questions.
Photo credits: Lense Lily Photography
DOPT Ignite Rural Artist Profile: Lynne M. Colombe
“Ignite Rural is an “at-home” artist residency focused on uplifting and supporting emerging rural artists that engage in social/civic work. Learn more about Ignite Rural by clicking HERE! Ignite Rural operates as cohort model to connect rural artists with each other, provide digital learning exchange opportunities, and support rural artists in their social and civic work within their communities.
Click HERE to check out the Ignite Rural playlist on our YouTube channel!”
Visit the DOPT website to view their video on Lynne M. Colombe!
R2Arts attends RezStar
On Thursday, February 6th R2Arts Executive Director, Patrick attended the first ever Rez Star show! Rez Star is an Indigenous Performing Arts Competition for Minnesota American Indian Residents.
Held at Shooting star Casino in Mahnomen, the stage was lit up with talents from all across the region. Attendees were encouraged to vote for their favorite performer via phone. Performers traveled from Mille Lacs and Turtle Mountain, Red Lake, White Earth, and Leech Lake to perform in this event. With dazzling lights, wonderful voices, and amazing people this sure was an event to attend.
Out of the 8 performing artists in this First show, 7 of them have made it forward to the next round of Rez Star. We wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended this event, we hope you had an amazing evening watching these talented people perform. We look forward to seeing the next Rez Star show.
Visit www.anishinaabeartfestival.com for more information about this and other upcoming live shows.
News & UpdatesFebruary 2025 McKnight Foundation
Greetings,
We hope you and your loved ones are staying warm, healthy, and safe. In this month's newsletter, we're sharing some powerful stories about our partners joining together and organizing to build a better future for working people in Minnesota and beyond.
I'm especially excited to share our latest story, "Building a Worker Justice Ecosystem in Minnesota," which highlights several powerful McKnight grantee partners organizing for dignity, safety, and fair wages. Don't forget to watch the video about CTUL's Building Dignity and Respect (BDR) program, which is building critical momentum to set higher employment standards in the construction industry.
We're also sharing some important resources for our nonprofit and philanthropic partners in this moment.
In solidarity,
Sarah Hernandez
Senior Program Officer
Vibrant & Equitable Communities
To read more stories from the McKnight Foundation and to keep up with their news, please visit their website here.
R2Arts Seeking Cover Art
Every year R2Arts creates Grant Deadline flyers for the upcoming granting season. R2Arts uses artwork created by those in our region on the cover of these flyers.
It is the time of year where R2Arts is now seeking another work of art to feature on our next Deadline Flyers! We are seeking a high quality piece of art that can be displayed on the front of the flyer. This piece must have a high quality scan and/or photo for digital printing usage. There are no stylistic requirements, just a piece you are proud of!
The Artist will be given a stipend of $200 for the use of their work on the flyer for the year.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please email ogimaa@r2arts.org.
Deadline: May 1st, 2025
Please send all submissions to ogimaa@r2arts.org
(Pictured on the Deadline Flyer is “Meadow Flowers,” Created by Laura Schmeling. Photography credits to TJ Turner Pictures.)
Stories of Us No. 1 Now Available on Youtube
Over the past summer and fall, Outreach Coordinator Ogimaa has been sitting down with families to hear their stories, listen to their family memories regarding art and creativity. These podcasts are the start of a series called The Stories of Us, in these conversational podcasts we gain insight into the lives of those around us. We share the memories of familiar areas, and discuss what the experience was like for each family.
The first episode of The Stories of Us is out now! Featuring the Turner Family, familiar faces (and voices!) of individuals in our area. We wanted to extend a gracious thank you to the entire Turner family. Doyle, Steve, Mandy, and Mary we truly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you all. We are excited to share the Turner family stories with you.
Stories of Us Podcasts will be available to listen on Youtube, and will be linked on the R2Arts website. Follows us on youtube at Region 2 Arts Council! Listen to the first podcast here: https://youtu.be/TAs_JXofkno?si=4Tgm6wj4A9KErp8s
Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Fellowship applications are due March 1st
The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Fellowship will provide unfettered funding for one artist, culture bearer or creative individual, who is an enrolled tribal member or descendant, to fuel their creative and/or cultural work in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Lake of the Woods, Becker, Cass, Itasca, and Roseau counties in Minnesota. Only one $5,000 award will be granted.
The funds can be used for, but not limited to:
● Exploring new directions or continuing work in progress
● Production costs, materials, or equipment
● Marketing your work
● Travel, research, or study to further your creative and/or cultural work
● Collaborative or community projects
The goal of the annual Region 2 Arts Council’s AAI Fellowship Program is to assist the region’s most talented indigenous artists, musicians, writers, culture bearers, filmmakers, dancers, theater artists, and crafts people in furthering and innovating their work by awarding substantial financial support to fund creative time and/or arts experiences that facilitate depth and advancement in their creative work. Through such support, the Region 2 Arts Council aims to raise the profile of Indigenous creative and cultural work in the region and create a strong community of Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Fellows.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Maximum Award: $5,000
Details and application information are available online at r2arts.org
Questions? Need more information?
We are here to help!
CALL: 218-751-5447 / 800-275-5447
TEXT: 218-407-2507
EMAIL: staff@r2arts.org
The Region 2 Arts Council Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Fellowship program is made possible by the generous support of the McKnight Foundation
Community@R2arts
Dear Neighbors in and around the R2Arts, including our friends in the Indigenous sovereign nations and across the border in Canada:
We stand with all the communities we serve. We deeply value the arts as a powerful force for building a stronger, more connected community for everyone.
We recognize the incredible contributions of the Indigenous sovereign nations within and surrounding the Region 2 area, and we honor their rich artistic traditions and their inherent sovereignty. We are committed to supporting initiatives that amplify Indigenous voices and celebrate their diverse artistic expressions, ensuring respect for their cultures and self-determination.
We also value the connections we share with our Canadian neighbors and recognize the importance of cross-border arts collaboration for a thriving regional community.
Region 2 Arts Council and the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Council award $4,990 to Indigenous artists
On December 12, 2024, the Region 2 Arts Council’s Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Council awarded $4,990 to enrolled tribal members or descendants creating art is our region. The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grant program is supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation to fund costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of a creative work, purchase of materials or equipment to create works of art, educational opportunities in the arts, and proposals for projects or opportunities to enhance the creative work of artists or culture bearers that are enrolled tribal members or descendants residing in the Minnesota counties of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, or Roseau.
Roberta Roy was awarded $1,000 to purchase the supplies she will need to continue making ribbon skirts.
Jakob Littlewolf was awarded $1,000 to purchase art painting supplies to keep expanding and improving his work.
Lisa Donovan-Larson was awarded $1,000 to create Native American dance regalia and quilts to gift to underprivileged youth for ceremonial and cultural purposes.
Gregory Smith Sr. was awarded $1,000 to create picture frames and other crafts with wood.
Devin Larson was awarded $990 to create ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts and other regalia like fancy shawls and grass dance outfits for the children in her care.
Region 2 Arts Council Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grants are made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation
A word from R2Arts Fellow, Tim Nelsen
This past year, R2Arts had the privilege to welcome two new fellows; Tim and Alena. Recently we received an update from Tim!
“Dear R2Arts:”
I am writing to say thank you and to express my sincere gratitude for being one of this year's artists chosen for the Fellowship Grant.
This generous grant of $6,000 will enable me to afford new equipment and services that are normally out of my reach. There are many new advances in technology each year that I would love to try, but simply can't afford. This grant will help change that.
I recently used a portion of the Fellowship Grant to purchase a small enc machine for my studio. A[n] enc machine will enable me to cut almost any shape imaginable out of recycled metal electronically. This will help increase my productivity and accuracy, which will allow me more time to focus on being creative. I will do my best to keep R2Arts updated on how I apply the grant funds as that information becomes available.
Thank you again for your generosity and trust in awarding me this Fellowship Grant. I look forward to using it to help take my sculpture skills to a new level.
Tim
Tim Nelsen, is a sculptor with recognizable pieces located around the region, such as around Bemidji. Tim works with recycled metal. We are so excited to see how Tim has been utilizing his fellowship funds!
Region 2 Arts Council Office Closed 1/21/25 due to weather
Due to the extreme cold temperatures we have decided to close our office today. Staff will be working from home. You can contact us by phone or email and we are happy to set up a zoom meeting with you if that’s more your style. We hope you all stay warm and safe today!
Bemidji State grad student Griffin Blegen blends love of outdoors and photography.
Griffin Blegen has been astounded by the images he has been able to capture using underwater camera gear he purchased with help from a Region 2 Arts Council grant.
With funds from a Region 2 Arts Council artist support grant, he recently purchased equipment for underwater photography. In his first full year with the gear, Blegen has been astounded by the images he has been able to capture.
Blegen’s love of photography started when he was about 8 years old. He and his twin sister were given point-and-shoot cameras by their parents.
“They told us to take pictures of whatever we wanted,” he said. “I just remember going on family trips and bringing the camera. I think I remember trying to compose pictures, but when you’re 8, anything looks good.”
Now Blegen owns the kind of high-end camera needed for professional photography. He also has set up trail cameras to get close-ups of wildlife. He shows his work on Facebook, Instagram and his website, griffin-blegen-photography.squarespace.com, and has been selling calendars that showcase his photos for the past few years.
After grad school, Blegen hopes to forge a career that includes both biology and photography.
“It’s kind of up in the air,” he said. “Because I really like doing this, I would want to take pictures for a living. But it’s obviously not that easy. There’s a guy who takes pictures for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"That would be cool to just go around and take pictures and you’re still in the biology sphere. That would be ideal, but there’s not many of those positions out there. Or it could be I’m just a biologist and I take pictures on the side.”
Read the entire article here. Credit to The Bemidji Pioneer for the written article.
Bemidji Pioneer reflects on some of 2024's most memorable moments
Woohoo! Sylvia Houle's mural on the Northwest Indian Community Development Center was highlighted in this! Check it out!
https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/bemidji-pioneer-reflects-on-some-of-2024s-most-memorable-moments
Native Arts and Craft Festival
While the Outreach Coordinator Ogimaa was in Mahnomen, Executive Director Patrick was at the Native Arts and Craft festival!
Huge thank you to Northwest Indian Community Development Center for hosting this wonderful event!
Another group of absolutely amazing individuals, thank you all for being there! We were able to get a few pictures after talking with people. Miigwech to everyone who was able to make it out! And thank you to Kent Estey for joining us in a discussion circle after the event!!!
Mazinaatebiishin: An Emerging Artists Exhibit
A chii-miigwech to everyone who came this weekend to one of our Weekend of Arts and Culture Events! We know the weather may have interrupted some plans but we tried our best to get out there!
We wanted to say Congratulations to Eliza Klarer and Jakob Littlewolf for their new exhibit "Mazinaatebiishin" located at Gizhiigin Arts Incubator in Mahnomen! And a thanks to Kent Estey for uplifting those in your community! We had a wonderful time talking with people, viewing the beautiful art, but most importantly getting to hear from Jakob and Eliza about their work.
Eliza and Jakob's respective works both meld beautifully together in an almost cosmic viewing, colors from each piece truly stick out and stick with you. If you have not yet gotten a chance to see this exhibit, we highly recommend it!
To read more about the exhibit or to find a time to view it, please visit: https://www.gizhiigin.org/
R2AC Staff Working from Home Today -Mon. 12/09/24
Region 2 Arts Council staff is working from home today due to the icy road conditions. We will not be in the office today, Monday 12/09/24 - please contact us by email or phone & stay safe out there!
Region 2 Arts Council Awards Season/Series Grants 2024
Region 2 Arts Council Awards $198,000 in Season/Series Arts Support Grants
The Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors awarded $198,000.00 in Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds to 12 organizations following a community panel review of 14 Season/Series Arts Support Grant applications. Each awarded organization will offer two or more activities that benefit the people of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and/or Mahnomen counties. The funded arts activities must either be designed to remove barriers that audiences may have to accessing arts activities; develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts for all ages; represent the diverse ethnic and cultural arts traditions in our state; or specifically be designed to build bridges between Minnesotans through arts and culture.
The Lake of the Woods Art Guild in Baudette was awarded $18,000 in funds to provide a variety of arts activities including loom beading, beaded ornament making, basket making, greyscale drawing with colored pencils, mixed media, acrylic and watercolor painting workshops.
The Northern Light Opera Company in Park Rapids was awarded $18,000 in funds to provide arts activities including a large-scale summer musical, NLOKids Theater Camp, the NLOC Workbench New Play Workshop and the NLOC Workbench Filmmakers Intensive.
The Clear Waters Life Center, with locations in Clearbrook and Gonvick, was awarded $18,000 to offer community arts programming including youth theater arts and piano activities, art therapy for residents of their 12-Month Men's Recovery Program, and a workshop creating arts with concrete and welding techniques.
The Bemidji Symphony Orchestra in Bemidji was awarded $18,000 in funds to present 3 different styles of “pops concert” featuring music of the holiday season, Disney movie music, and an Elvis Presley inspired concert featuring a guest artist.
The Bagley Area Arts Collaborative in Bagley was awarded $18,000 in funds to provide arts workshops and activities in Alcohol Inks, Batik, Oil Painting, Pottery, Watercolor, Colored Pencil and Acrylic, Plein Air, Acrylics, Scandinavian Snowflakes, and Fun with Yupo Paper.
The Bemidji Community Theater in Bemidji was awarded $18,000 to pay stipends to vendors and contractors including directors, stage managers, accompanists, lighting and sound design, set construction, costuming, etc. for 6 different productions, as well as cover partial costs for the cast of Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. to travel to the Twin Cities as part of a cultural enrichment activity.
The Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids was awarded $18,000 in funds to provide resources including materials, stipends, display, and promotions for a series of locally created exhibitions in May, a youth art show, community art workshops, and summer exhibitions by locally-tied and visiting artists.
The Mask & Rose Women’s Theater Collective in Puposky was awarded $18,000 in funds to produce the Tony Award winning musical Hadestown, collaborate with theater group Mixed Precipitation to present a walking picnic operetta, show a second season of modern dance films, and organize and host the Sister Song music festival.
The Armory Arts and Events Center in Park Rapids was awarded $18,000 in funds to provide arts activities including live concerts and art workshops featuring local artists
The Northern Artist Association in Bemidji was awarded $15,026 to offer free art classes in a variety of genres to young people and adults including plein air workshops featuring intermediate techniques for artists to gain advanced skills.
The Beltrami County Historical Society in Bemidji was awarded $12,075 in funds to provide a series of workshops and artist-in-residence programs led by women artists for the local community.
The Headwaters Music and Arts in Bemidji was awarded $8,899 to provide a series of introductory art, music, and creative writing experiences for adults.
Region 2 Arts Council Season/Series Arts Support Grants are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Tofte Lake Center Residency Programs
We at Tofte Lake Center are incredibly excited to share our 2025 residency programming with you! Applications for our 2025 artist residencies open December 1st. This year, we're offering five distinct residency opportunities, and we hope one of them below speaks to you, a friend, or fellow artist!
Thank you in advance for spreading the word about all of the opportunities we have for artists of all backgrounds, disciplines, and career stages here at the lake!
Please reach out with any questions or if you'd like to connect!
Individual Artist Residency
June 11-17, 2025
September 3-9, 2025
This year we are offering two Individual Artist Residencies. These residencies are focused on individual artists and/or small collaborative teams of all disciplines who wish to create work in community with other artists in all stages of their career.
National Emerging Artist Residency
July 2-11, 2025
Our National Emerging Artists Program is back! This 10-day residency is focused on emerging artists and/or small collaborative teams of all disciplines who wish to create among other emerging artists from around the US.
MN BIPOC Artist Residency
June 2-8, 2025
This week-long residency provides space for 6 BIPOC artists of any discipline to retreat and create in community. The residency balances personal work time with group interaction and optional sharing of work or performance, as well as time for play and rejuvenation.
Arts Educators Residency
July 14-20, 2025
This week-long residency provides space for 6 artist educators to center themselves and their work as artists first and get the well-deserved rest and rejuvenation they need.
Family Artist Residency
August 13-19
This week-long residency for Minnesota parent-artists offers the opportunity for single parent artists and artists who wish to bring their spouse/partner and 1-2 children. The residency enables these artists to focus on their work while the child/ren enjoy age-appropriate, supervised activities onsite and in town.
Applications are open December 1st - December 31st, 2024, at 5:00pm CST.
Programming activities are made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.Operating support is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.