Region 2 Arts Council awards $40,712 in Artists Engage Community Grants
On May 16, 2025, the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors awarded $40,712 in Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds to area artists following a community panel review on May 6th of 7 applications for our Artists Engage Community Grant. All 7 artists planning to engage the community were granted, promising to bring high-quality, accessible arts and cultural activities to people in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties.
Seth Freundshuh of Tenstrike was awarded $6,000 to provide partial scholarships for every student attending the String Institute he will be teaching in collaboration with Dr. Eric Olson.
Shannon Lucas Westrum of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to teach beginner level functional basketmaking in communities within the Region 2 Arts Council’s 5-county service area.
Peter Paquette of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to host seven gatherings to engage children and their parents or guardians in discussing, learning and creating art about one of the seven grandfather teachings.
Annette Theroux of Bemidji was awarded $5,212 to conduct, in partnership with the Bemidji Area Weavers Guild, a rep (Swedish Ripsmatta) loom weaving workshop for intermediate to advanced weavers at the Watermark Art Center.
Melissa Widner of Mahnomen was awarded $5,500 to create and present Honoring Ojibwe Elder Knowledge and Wisdom, a multimedia storytelling project celebrating the resilience and healing journeys of Elders from White Earth Reservation.
Shannon Murray of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to co-present, with guest artist Myron Swimmer, inclusive songwriting workshops and performances for area youth - including those with and without intellectual disabilities - that foster creativity, social connection, and self-expression.
Miriam Webber of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to both commission and perform new chamber music for bassoon, featuring the bassoon, flute, and clarinet, on a tour across northern Minnesota.
Region 2 Arts Council Artists Engage Communities Grants are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.