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April 2018

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New Study Reveals a Large Impact of the Arts on Local Economy

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Contacts: Sheila Smith, Executive Director for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, 651.251.0868
Tom Wirt, Board President of Hutchinson Center for the Arts, 320.587.4718

New Creative Minnesota 2017 Study of the City of Hutchinson Reveals Large Impact for the Arts on Local Economy

SAINT PAUL, MN:
Creative Minnesota, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and Hutchinson Center for the Arts released a new study today indicating that the arts have a large impact on theCity of Hutchinson.
“Nonprofit arts and culture organizations contribute to the vibrancy of Minnesota’s economy and quality of life and make our state a magnet for jobs and businesses. Now we can quantify that in Hutchinson.” said Sheila Smith, Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. “In addition to providing life changing experiences, educational opportunities and accessibility to audiences of all ages in their stages and museums, arts and culture organizations are important employers and economic engines.”
“The arts are a part of life which give us enjoyment, beauty, and make our homes and community, places of peace, beauty and learning. But the arts also bring our community economic value,” said Tom Wirt, Member of Board of Hutchinson Center for the Arts. “As a community where the City and the people support the arts, we want the community that makes the arts happen to also see the “hard value” we receive from giving this support, both in time and effort (volunteering) and financially.”
As the most comprehensive report ever done of the state’s creative sector, Creative Minnesota 2017 fills in the gaps of available information about Minnesota’s cultural field and seeks to improve our understanding of its importance to our quality of life and economy.
Creative Minnesota 2017 quantifies the impact and needs of Minnesota’s artists and creative workers and nonprofit arts and culture organizations. The report includes both new, original research and analysis of data created by others.
All Creative Minnesota research is available for free at CreativeMN.org

To read the full press release and for more highlights from the study, click here.

To view the Hutchinson “One Page” summary of the study, click here.

 

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Grant review panelists needed for 2018-2019

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Grant review panelists needed for 2018-2019

Are you interested in being a part of bringing about arts funding in our Southwest Minnesota communities?  If so, we’d love for you to consider being a grant review panelist for SMAC. For grant programs in fiscal year 2019 (July 2018 – June 2019), the SMAC Board of Directors seeks panels of artists, arts administrators, arts volunteers, and arts appreciators representing multiple artistic disciplines from throughout the SMAC geographic region. At the bottom of this page you will be able to reference the SMAC grant review panelist from this last year.

As a grant review panelist, you will:

  • Learn about the arts activities taking place in SW MN
  • Discuss art and its impact on individuals and communities in our region
  • Network with other regional artists and arts volunteers
  • Weigh in on SMAC’s grant application process
  • Receive free tickets to evaluate SMAC-funded arts activities.

Before meeting, panelists go online to read grant applications and do preliminary scoring. Then they meet on a Saturday (panel meetings generally run from 9:00 am through mid-afternoon) to discuss the applications, finalize their scores, and make a funding recommendation to the SMAC Board of Directors.  Meals and mileage reimbursement for the day are provided by SMAC.  Panelists may serve on a panel for one or more grant programs, depending on expertise, interest, and availability. Current and future panelists are strongly encouraged to read SMAC’s grant review process here, to better understand each step and application.

Grant review panel dates for 2018-2019:

Art Projects / Art Legacy Projects Grant Review Panel

  • Round I: August 18
  • Round II: January 5
  • Round III: April 13

Equipment & Facilities Improvement Panel

  • Round I: September 8
  • Round II: March 9

Arts in the Schools / Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grant Panel

  • Arts in the Schools Round I: November 3
  • Arts in the Schools Round II: February 16
  • Art Study Opportunity for Youth: April 16 (evening meeting)

Individual Artists Grant Review Panel

  • Round I: October 6
  • Round II: February 2
  • Round III: April 10 (evening)

[hr]

TO APPLY:

  1. Please read the following section on Grant Panel Responsibilities (printable version available below).
  2. Read and sign our Conflict of Interest policy (link below).
  3. Download or print a copy of the Grant Review Panelist Application (link below).
  4. Email your completed application, resume, and signed Conflict of Interest document to info@swmnarts.org, or mail to SW MN Arts Council, PO Box 55, Marshall, MN 56258.

[hr]

GRANT PANEL RESPONSIBILITIES:

About the Panel position:

  • Term is one year.
  • Appointments are by SMAC Board decision. The board seeks to find panelists from throughout the SMAC geographic region representing a balance of members with backgrounds in each of the artistic disciplines and representing artists, arts organizations, schools and the community at large.

About Panel meetings:

  • Meetings are generally held on Saturdays at the SMAC office in Marshall beginning at 9:00 A.M.
  • Meeting length is dependent on number of applications. Agenda will contain time recommendations.
  • Meals are provided by SMAC.
  • Mileage is reimbursed at $0.535 per mile.
  • Attendance is crucial (a quorum of five panel members is required).
  • Panelists must notify staff well in advance if unable to attend.

About Panel responsibilities:

  • Position is an active, working one.
  • Responsible for understanding program goals and objectives.
  • Panelists log-in to SMAC’s online grant system to read grant applications and do preliminary scoring based on the criteria for the particular grant program. Then they meet to discuss the applications, finalize their scores, and make a funding recommendation to the SMAC Board of Directors.
  • Panelists must declare any conflict of interest at the beginning of each meeting. If a conflict of interest exists, the panelist must abstain from discussion and voting on that application.
  • An individual cannot serve on the Individual Artist Grant Panel if they are applying for an Individual Artist Grant in that round.
  • Panel only has recommendation powers. The SMAC Board of Directors makes final decisions.
  • Panelists must agree not to discuss the recommendations of the panel to the board prior to the board action on those recommendations.
  • Panelists are asked to volunteer to conduct site evaluations of funded projects. Admission (two tickets) and mileage are reimbursed.

[hr]

DOCUMENTS:

Grant Panel Responsibilities
All panelists are required to read the Grant Panel Responsibilities above.
Printable version:  Grant Panel Responsibilities

Conflict of Interest Policy
All panelists are required to read and sign the SMAC Conflict of Interest Policy.

Grant Review Panelist Application
Panelist Application (word doc), pdf

Email your completed application with resume and signed Conflict of Interest document to info@swmnarts.org, or mail to SW MN Arts Council, PO Box 55, Marshall, MN 56258.

[hr]

A Special Thanks to all the grant panelists who have served SMAC to date in 2017-2018:

  • Joyce Aakre, Dassel (Meeker)
  • Deb Ahmann, Mashall (Lyon)
  • Bobbie Alsgaard Lien, Rushmore (Nobles)
  • Lisa Bergh, New London (Kandiyohi)
  • Pam Blake, Tyler (Lincoln)
  • Mark Bosveld, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Mark Brodin, Windom (Cottonwood)
  • Cheri Buzzeo, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Lauren Carlson, Dawson (Lac qui Parle)
  • Cindy Demers, Dawson (Lac qui Parle)
  • Bob Dorlac, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Craig Edwards, New London (Kandiyohi)
  • Thomas Flynn, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Kathy Fransen, Jackson (Jackson)
  • Charles Freiss, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Mary Kay Frisvold, Garvin (Lyon)
  • Mary Gillespie, Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine)
  • Reggie Gorter, Pipestone (Pipestone)
  • Tammy Grubbs, Pipestone (Pipestone)
  • Denise Hepola, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Lisa Hill, Hutchinson (McLeod)
  • Tamara Isfeld, Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine)
  • Jeff Iverson, Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine)
  • Candace Joens, Wilmont (Nobles)
  • Georgette Jones, Watson (Chippewa)
  • Maureen Keimig, Marshall (Lyon)
  • David KelseyBassett, Lamberton (Redwood)
  • Jane Lanphere, Luverne (Rock)
  • Deb Larson, Ortonville (Big Stone)
  • John Larson, Milan (Chippewa)
  • Brett Lehman, Worthington (Nobles)
  • Michele Leininger, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Kristine Leuze, Hutchinson (McLeod)
  • Steve Linstrom, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Jan Loft, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Tammy Makram, Worthington (Nobles)
  • Joyce Meyer, Canby (Yellow Medicine)
  • Dusan Milanovic, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Dana Miller, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Kelly Muldoon, Slayton (Murray)
  • Paula Nemes, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Kaia Nowatzki, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Eileen O’Keefe, Morton (Renville)
  • Anne O’Keefe-Jackson, Morton (Renville)
  • Janet Olney, Willmar (Kandiyohi)
  • Eric Parrish, Worthington (Nobles)
  • Emily Petersen, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Karen Pfeiffer, Worthington (Nobles)
  • Liz Rackl, Ortonville (Big Stone)
  • Cindy Reverts, Luverne (Rock)
  • Kathy Schaefer, Ghent (Lyon)
  • Alan Stage, Hutchinson (McLeod)
  • Michele Knife-Sterner, Marshall (Lyon)
  • Marilee Strom, Windom (Cottonwood)
  • Claire Swanson, Granite Falls (Yellow Medicine)
  • Sheila Tabaka, Marshall (Lyon)
  • John Voit, Ghent (Lyon)
  • Erica Volkir, Pipestone (Pipestone)
  • Dan Wahl, Walnut Grove (Redwood)
  • John White, Ortonville (Big Stone)
  • Mark Wilmes, Tyler (Lincoln)
  • Tom Wirt, Hutchinson (McLeod)

 

 

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SW MN Arts Council Arts Organization Summit

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Join arts organizations of all types — theater, music, visual, arts councils and more — for an afternoon of learning & networking. On the agenda are three important topics: 1) Finding & Keeping Volunteers 2) Public Art in Rural MN and 3) Networking with other arts organizations in the region. Plus a little “supper with SMAC.” Make plans to attend!

TUESDAY, MAY 22

3:00 – 7:00 pm

Marshall-Lyon County Library, 201 C Street, Marshall

* This FREE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY is open to arts organizations in the 18-county region associated with the SW MN Arts Council. *

Register Now!

AGENDA

3:00pm  Engagement and Leadership of Volunteers: Best Practices for Results

Led by Polly Roach, MAVA Volunteer Generation Fund Program Manager

No matter what size your organization is, there are core pieces that need to be in place to achieve results through volunteers. This session will cover the best practices for engaging volunteers. You will learn key components of designing volunteer positions, volunteer recruitment, risk management, volunteer recognition and how they work together for a successful volunteer program.

In addition, many arts organizations are rethinking how volunteers can be involved in skill based and in higher level and leadership roles. With limited resources for staff, this is one of the few routes open to do more, or even keep up.  This session will:

  • Explore opportunities for involving volunteers in project leadership and skill based roles
  • Look at the complexities of volunteers being placed in higher skill based roles
  • Offer strategies for success in engaging volunteers in skill based and higher responsibility roles.

 

4:30 pm   The Possibilities of Public Art
Led by Jen Krava, Forecast Public Art Creative Services Manager

In this session will talk about the many forms of public art and placemaking, look at several examples across the world, and share information about the resources Forecast provides to artists, arts administrators, and affiliated professionals.

Plan to stir up some public art ideas for your community.

 

5:15 pm  Networking: An essential piece of organizational success

  • Sharing of information
  • Breakout activities related to networking

6:00 Supper

6:30pm  SMAC News and Survey

  • 2018-2019 Grants Update
  • New Data Collection needs
  • Survey

7:00 pm  Conclude/Thank You

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Opportunity for Non-Profits near Willmar, MN

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Join Crystal Clear: Creating a Storytelling Culture to learn how to create a storytelling culture for your organization. Storytelling expert Crystal Nutt will cover why telling your organization’s story is important, the key components of a story and the steps necessary to create and implement a nonprofit storytelling plan. We’ll also explore some related exercises to equip your organization for success.
This workshop is designed for nonprofit employees and volunteers who want to learn about relaying their organization’s message to engage the public. Beverage service and free parking will be available.

Event Details:
Tuesday, April 24, 9:30 a.m. – noon
Willmar Area Community Foundation, Willmar
$40 for MCN members / $65 for nonmembers

 

Craft your nonprofit’s story!

 

 

About the Presenter

With a passion for producing grants and communications that help people and build community, Crystal Nutt is the principal of Crystal Nutt Consulting. She has been supporting nonprofits for 13 years, serving organizations in primarily health and human services with various forms of fundraising and communications. Crystal is most often recognized for her ability to write and communicate effectively, think strategically and manage details thoroughly.

Crystal offers Crystal Clear training sessions, including topics such as grant writing, storytelling and fund development planning. She has a marketing communications degree from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and is the current president of the Central and Southwestern Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
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MN State Arts Board Arts Access grants open

by SMAC
written by SMAC
Minnesota State Arts Board Ensuring all Minnesotans have the

opportunity to participate in the arts

 

Minnesota State Arts Board FY 2019 Arts Access grant application deadline June 22, 2018

The FY 2019 Arts Access grant program is now open for application. The FY 2019 Arts Access Program Overview and Application Instructions are available on the Arts Board Web site.

Arts Access is a grant program designed to encourage strategic, long-term engagement between arts organizations and traditionally underserved communities. Grant funds may be used by an arts organization to collaborate with a community to create and/or increase access to meaningful art experiences.

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, June 22, 2018. Please note that applications must be submitted and accepted before 4:30 p.m. on the day of the deadline.

Proposed projects must take place between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019.

Those considering a first time application are urged to review the program’s overview and application instructions, and speak with program officer Natalie Kennedy prior to beginning an application. She can be reached at (651) 215-1617, toll-free at (800) 866-2787, or via
e-mail at natalie.kennedy@arts.state.mn.us

The Arts Board uses WebGrants, an online grants management system, for all applications. Registration is required of all applicants before beginning an application to any Arts Board program. It is only necessary to register once. To register, visit the Arts Board Web site. Scroll down the home page to WebGrants instructions and registration information.

The Arts Board is offering a free online information session about the FY 2019 Arts Access grant opportunity on Thursday, May 24, at 3:00 p.m. Learn more.
www.arts.state.mn.us   |   (651) 215-1600   |   msab@arts.state.mn.us
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An invitation from our colleagues in South Dakota

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Artists, arts advocates and administrators, art lovers and community leaders who recognize the value of our cultural heritage are invited to join together for a two-day State Arts Conference, scheduled for May 4-5 in downtown Sioux Falls.

The conference hosts—South Dakota Arts Council, Arts South Dakota, and the Sioux Falls Arts Council—are extending a special invitation to colleagues across the border in Minnesota who would like to attend.

The conference will feature two of the most powerful voices for the arts in our country, Jane Chu, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, and Randy Cohen, vice president of research and policy for the national arts advocacy group Americans for the Arts. Chu and Cohen will each present a keynote address, one on each day of the conference. Other presenters will include Dale Lamphere (Sioux Dakota Artist Laureate), Brian Bonde (national fundraising expert), Janet Brown (nationally recognized community arts leader), Zach Deboer (local artist, community leader, and businessman), and many others.

For more information and to register visit https://artssouthdakota.org/

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Public Art/Landscape Design Requests & Opportunity

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Larry Cohen Recognition Project
Public Art Opportunity
Artist / Landscape Designer RFQ

Forecast Public Art, in association with the Larry Cohen Memorial Volunteer and Selection Committees invite artists and landscape designers to submit public art qualifications for the design and installation of a memorial to Judge Larry Cohen that utilizes the plaza adjacent to the historic Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse.

The project honors Judge Cohen’s work by creating a vibrant, attractively-designed and equipped permanent public space for the recognition and celebration of citizenship and diverse and inclusive public leadership. The design will serve to honor the life and work of Judge Cohen, and not include a likeness (a statue or bust, etc.). As such, the completed project should be a gathering place that reflects the virtues of including new citizens in the civic fabric. The plaza will be a welcoming place where people from all backgrounds can come to learn and talk about Saint Paul’s rich immigrant history and the work of civic leaders like Judge Cohen who contributed to advancing that history. Students and others will see how carrying forward this work can contribute to the future vibrancy of our city and region.

Budget: $350,000

Submissions due May 1, 2018 at 4pm CST.

Artist/designer team qualifications/eligibility criteria:

  • Must have completed two commissioned outdoor public works with budgets of $150,000 or more
  • Must demonstrate a history of projects that consider spatial design
  • Is available for an in-person interview in Saint Paul
  • Artists/landscape designers are encouraged to apply as teams
  • Individuals are eligible to apply if they have both public art and landscape design qualifications – address this in your letter of interest
  • Able to address climate and ecosystems specific to Minnesota and this site
  • Current students are not eligible

For the full RFQ, eligibility criteria, timeline, budget, and details how to apply, please click here:

FULL RFQ

 

Contact JenK@ForecastPublicArt.org with questions.
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Artists of Minnesota seeks art for Spring Show

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Spring Show

2018 Spring Show: Held May 18-20 in Duluth, MN
This year’s theme will be: Art on the Waterfront

Deadline for entry is April 28th

http://artistsofminnesota.org/

artistsofmninfo@gmail.com

Click here for 2018 Spring Show Registration Form, 2018 Spring Show Registration Form and Annual Membership Dues Form.

Click here for the full newsletter with more details on the show.

Folks in Duluth have been busy planning our Spring Show, which will be held on May 18, 19, and 20 at Duluth’s newest resort, Pier B Resort. This beautiful hotel is located right on the bay and has great views and easy access to Canal Park.

–   Show Judge is Frank Zeller, a watercolor artist and teacher from White Bear Lake. This year’s Demo Artists are Kris Nelson and Karen Savage Blue.

–   Fundraising raffle has been revamped for 2018, so plan on buying lots of chances for the “Pick-Your-Prize Ticket Raffle”, featuring great prizes!

–   You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy a group tour of The Glensheen Mansion with a focus on their art on display in the mansion’s rooms.

–    A block of rooms at Pier B Resort is reserved for Artists of Minnesota, with reduced room rates available. The resort is located at 800 West Railroad Street and their phone number is 218-481-8888. Visit their web site, www.pierbresort.com , for more details on the venue.

 

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NAC/MCAD Arts Opportunity for 15-18 year olds

by SMAC
written by SMAC

​NOW ACCEPTING
Applications for Juried Youth Art Exhibit in Park Rapids
​

The Nemeth Art Center, in partnership with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) will host a Youth Art Exhibit in Park Rapids.

The exhibit will be on display at the Nemeth Art Center from May 3rd – May 26th, with a reception and award ceremony being held on Saturday, May 19th 2018.

The Minneapolis College of Art & Design will award the top sophomore or junior participant a $3400 scholarship for their Pre-College Summer Session. The scholarship includes tuition, full room and board, supplies and three college credits for the summer session.  In addition to the MCAD scholarship, prizes will be awarded to the top 3 artists in the exhibit.

Applications are now open and being accepted from 15 – 18 year old youth residing in rural Minnesota communities of 20,000 people or less.  Tribal and home-schooled individuals are also eligible to apply.  The application deadline for the exhibit is April 13th, 2018 and there is no cost to participate.
​

Please email the requested information below to info@nemethartcenter.org by April 13th, 2018:

Name:

Parent or Legal Guardian Name:

Age of Artist:

Mailing address:

Email Address:

Phone #:

Title, Medium and Description of Artwork:

Piece 1:

Piece 2:

***Notice:  if accepted for the Nemeth Art Center’s (NAC) Youth Art Exhibit, you are acknowledging that you will be responsible for mailing or delivering your artwork to the Nemeth Art Center by May 3rd, 2018, along with being responsible for picking up your artwork after the exhibit has completed.  The Nemeth Art Center will make every effort to handle your artwork with care, but the NAC will not be responsible for accidental damage to your artwork during the installation, de-installation, storage or shipment of your artwork.***

For additional questions contact Michael Dagen at info@nemethartcenter.org.

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Workshops at Granite Area Arts Council

by SMAC
written by SMAC

*KK Berge Gallery-Granite Area Arts Council

807 Prentice Street, Granite Falls

Classes: Sign up for all classes at the KK Berge Gallery, 320-564-4240. All classes require prepayment to reserve space and purchase supplies. Registration deadline is one week prior to class. Late registrations must contact the artist directly for permission.

 

April 11, 2018-Printmaking: Create Your Own Greeting Card with Brad Hall, 6-7 pm. $15 plus $5 for supplies, minimum age is high school students. The students can bring a black & white 4″x6″ image they would like to carve, or can choose from images provided. Students will carve their own E-Z Cut blocks, then ink their blocks with a brayer and water soluble ink. The will then print their own block with a rolling pin.

 

April 13, 2018-Introduction to Chip Carving with Joe Hauger, 9am-4pm. In this class we will be chip carving a product called EZ Board. Class tuition: $25. Materials for purchase from instructor: $25 (includes chop carving knife, practice board, and finished piece–need not purchase knife if you already have one), minimum 3 students, maximum 6 students.

 

April 14,2018- Watercolor with Katya Andreeva, “Composition, Light and Improvisation,” 10am-5 pm, $75. Stop at the gallery and check out the supply list.

 

April 25 & May 2, 2018- Block Print Clay with Tamara Isfeld, 7-8:30 pm, $40, minimum 3 students

 

Gallery & Gift Shop hours M–F 1-4 pm, Sat. 10 am – 3 pm. Information at 320-564-4039 or click Granite Area Arts Council.

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