Monthly Archives

September 2022

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Meeker County Arty Party

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Our Arty Party’s are BACK!

SMAC Meeker County Arty Party Tuesday, October 4th in Litchfield

You’re invited to network with artists and arts supporters in the Meeker County area during this free event open to all!

Join us at the Litchfield Opera House from 5-7 pm for some arts entertainment, tasty treats, and networking with area artists and arts supporters. SMAC will be hosting a listening session on regional arts needs! We will also provide the tools to make your own simple mandalas or simply color some already printed out. Take some time to relax and make casual art in a social setting.

More details will be revealed soon!

SMAC staff will be available to connect with attendees and get the word out about who SMAC is, what we do, and what services and assistance we can offer for the community. Keep up to date about this event through our social media on Facebook and Instagram, or you can always email us for details: info@swmnarts.org.

This will be our eleventh program in our 18-county series of networking events for every county in our region.

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Minnesota State Arts Board seeking candidates for key positions

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Are you looking for a position where you can make a difference? Where you can help make arts and creative activities available to residents and communities throughout the state? Where you can support the work of Minnesota’s creative individuals and organizations? Then consider applying for a position at the Arts Board: 

Grant program officer – The person in this position will manage the Arts Board’s largest grant program, Operating Support, which provides general support to established arts organizations.  Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

Grant programs assistant – The person in this position will provide administrative support for Arts Board grant programs.  Applications must be submitted by Thursday, October 6, 2022.

Executive assistant – The person in this position will provide administrative support to the executive director and to the board.  Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

All are full-time, permanent positions. Telework and/or hybrid work arrangements are available.  

Visit the Arts Board’s Web site to find more details about the positions and a link to required qualifications, salary range, and application instructions: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/about/employment.htm/

 

Please share this information with anyone that you think might be interested in applying.

If you’d like to receive Arts Board updates directly, please sign up for the mailing list:  http://www.arts.state.mn.us/contact/enews-signup.htm

 

The Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency that stimulates and encourages
the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state.
It works to ensure that all Minnesotans can participate in and benefit from the arts.

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Annual Celebration 2022 Raffle Basket Winners

by SMAC
written by SMAC

We’ll post more photos and updates from our Annual Celebration in Appleton on Saturday soon, but for now: Raffle Basket Winners!

 
Cindy Midgarden – Worthington
Sally-Ann Benson – Bigelow
Paula Nemes – Marshall
Jan Lowe – Worthington
Nancy Carlson – Willmar
Luanne Fondell – Dawson
LeAnne Meyer – Worthington
Joyce Meyer – Canby
Paula Nemes – Marshall
Brett Lehman – Worthington
David Strom – Windom
Cheryl Avenel-Navara – Worthington
 

If you do not already have your basket and have questions on how to get it, contact SMAC at info@swmnarts.org or 800-622-5284.

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Southwest Initiative Foundation seeks Community Engagement Specialist

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Position: Community Engagement Specialist

Position Summary: The Community Engagement Specialist performs a wide range of technical and interpersonal activities across southwest Minnesota to build and strengthen southwest Minnesota toward a more fully inclusive region where all people thrive by identifying strengths and challenges, building community-based skills and being a resource to the region. The Community Engagement Specialist strengthens Southwest Initiative Foundation’s overall impact of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through community-led partnerships especially with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This specialist provides leadership, research and community engagement to create cohesion for SWIF’s emerging leadership and Grow Our Own efforts across our region. This leader is responsible for nurturing community opportunities that impact critical needs in southwest Minnesota by connecting to and working with southwest Minnesota residents, teams and organizations that span sectors. They serve as a liaison between the Foundation and community leaders, as well as the nonprofit community. As such, this position requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Additionally, this position offers a high degree of flexibility and creativity for the individual to develop and promote new initiatives and projects that align with SWIF’s values, goals, and mission.

 

Southwest Initiative Foundation Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement

“We believe that dignity and belonging are core human values and that all people deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are a human-centered organization and acknowledge that people have different needs and aspirations. We commit to removing barriers that prevent full participation in southwest Minnesota’s abundant opportunities. We use our resources to create opportunities for all people to thrive in the communities they call home.”

 

Southwest Initiative Foundation Commitment

“As part of our mission and vision, we strive to recruit, hire, develop, engage, support, and promote women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodiverse individuals, veterans, and others who have been historically marginalized. We are committed to equitable practices, total compensation, and an organizational culture that ensures all SWIF employees thrive.”

The Southwest Initiative Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. They encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. https://swifoundation.org/who-we-are/careers/

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Grant OpportunitiesNewsOpportunitiesResources

Marshall Community Grant Cycle is open

by SMAC
written by SMAC

The Marshall Community Foundation (MCF) fall grant cycle is open until September 30th, 2022. They are accepting applications from Marshall non-profits to support the great work they do in their community.

As a reminder the application process has now changed, and the entire application must be completed/submitted here:  https://swifoundation.tfaforms.net/446901?FundID=a0y36000001tY7kAAE

Supporting documents for the organization or grant application can be uploaded via the “Supporting Information” section, by clicking “Choose File” to upload all supporting documents.

The deadline for completion is end of day Friday, September 30.  Please email give@marshall-cf.org if you have any questions with the application.

Grant requests may be submitted for up to $5,000 and must align with the foundation’s priorities of:

• Community Improvement

• Diversity

• Wellness

• Youth Development

They prefer to fund new/enhanced programs and partnerships or one-time projects. Please be as detailed as you can in the project description.

The Marshall Community Foundation is one of over 20 community foundations established via partnership with the Southwest Initiative Foundation.  A local advisory board identifies needs in the community, grants dollars to local non-profits, and raises funds to grow the endowment.  Earnings from the foundation’s endowment are used to fund grants offered twice per year.  MCF has granted over $170,000 since its founding.

All recipients of a MCF grant are required to complete a report for accountability purposes. This will be mailed out after the grants are awarded.

Marshall Community Foundation Guidelines

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Opportunity for Native artists living in Minnesota

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Artists’ Futures applications are due soon!

Artists’ Futures provides resources directly to artists and culture bearers of African, Afro-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, Latinx, Chicanx, Asian/Pacific Islander, and SWANA (South West Asian and North African) descent residing in the 7-county metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties), and artists who are Native American/American Indian/Native Alaskan residing in Minnesota and the 11 Tribal nations that share the same geography.

Artists’ Futures provides financial support of $35,000 to individual artists along with additional resources and support. Artists’ Futures is a professional development, skill building and networking cohort for artists working in any artistic discipline at any stage in their career. The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) is interested in investing in artists by providing support that allows them to grow their ability to take creative risks, and build technical skills that could contribute to a sustainable and successful career in the arts.

Program Details

Submission Deadline: October 3, 2022, 11:59pm

Notification Date: February 22, 2023

Financial Support: $35,000 (unrestricted)

Additional resources: $2,000 for professional development, plus access to vetted partnering professionals/spaces/organizations

Cohort Period: Support from MRAC and access to partners from Feb 2023 – Feb 2025

Participation Requirements:

  • Attend a 90min Zoom meet & greet event to meet the cohort of selected artists, network and learn how to access the available resources. A financial advisor/tax professional will join us for a portion of this meeting to talk about tax requirements and answer questions.
  • Attend six (6) scheduled networking lunch hour meetings. These events will focus on expanding the network of selected artists by building relationships to other makers, arts professionals and arts organizations. These meetings will be coordinated in partnership with selected artists to best accommodate schedules and meet the needs of the cohort.

Number of Selected Artists: 10

Artists’ Futures Program Page

Guidelines

All applicants must read the program guidelines. Guidelines can be found in English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Haitian Creole, as well as other document formats on The MRAC website.

Recorded Information Webinar

A recorded information webinar on Artists’ Futures is available on the MRAC website and YouTube page. The webinar will include captions, automated translated captions into other languages, and adjustable playback speeds. The information webinar slides can be downloaded as a pdf.

Application

MRAC will be using Submittable to accept written, audio, or video applications. Apply now!Additionally, MRAC recognizes that individuals often come across opportunities that they would like to recommend people for and they encourage this type of support through their submission process. If you would like to submit an artist’s name for consideration, or, if you are an artist and would like someone to submit on your behalf, they may submit as an “Artist Advocate”. Advocates do not need to get permission from the artist you are advocating for or notify the artist. Artists will have the opportunity to opt out of consideration if they do not wish to participate. Note: Advocates may only create one submission per deadline.

Program Contacts

For questions about the submission process in general and technical assistance, please contact mrac@mrac.org or 651-645-0402.

For questions and assistance related to eligibility and/or preparing a submission, please contact Jovan Rebollar (jovan@mrac.org or 651-523-6381). Or, fill out the meeting request form to schedule a time to meet with a staff member who can assist you.

Please do your best to read these instructions thoroughly before reaching out with questions.
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Arts AdvocacyNewsOpportunitiesResources

Apply to be on Minnesota Citizens for the Arts Board

by SMAC
written by SMAC
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Grant OpportunitiesNewsOpportunitiesPublic ArtResources

Forecast public art 2023 Grant for midcareer and early career artists

by SMAC
written by SMAC

The Forecast public art 2023 Grant for midcareer and early career artists is coming right up. The deadline of the grant application is October 3rd!

Here are a few resources:

Forecast Grant webpage

Previous Forecast Grant information session video

Lastly, join the Artist Talks with Current Grantees (Click the date for the registration link!)  Be inspired through these interactive virtual sessions. You’ll hear from current grantees and can ask them about their grant experiences. Register to join these sessions by tapping the link for your preferred date.

Register to join Tuesday, September 13, 2022  5:00 – 6:00pm CT

Register to join Tuesday, September 20, 2022  5:00 – 6:00pm CT

Contact: aki shibata / Consultant

she/they     E  aki@forecastpublicart.org

FORECASTPUBLICART.ORG

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MN State Arts Board seeks Executive Assistant

by SMAC
written by SMAC

Minnesota State Arts Board seeking candidates for executive assistant position. The Arts Board is seeking well qualified candidates for the position of executive assistant.  This is a full-time, permanent position that provides administrative support to the executive director and to the board.

Candidates must have strong organizational skills; strong English language skills (both written and verbal); the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work within time constraints; and a professional, customer service attitude.  The salary range is $37,792 – $50,112 annually.  At present, this is a telework or hybrid position. 

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 28, 2022. 

 More details about the position and other required qualifications, and application instructions, are available on the Arts Board’s employment Web page: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/about/employment.htm/

 Please share this information with anyone that you think might be interested in applying.

The Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency that stimulates and encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state.  It works to ensure that all Minnesotans can participate in and benefit from the arts.

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Old logo, Squidfest 2022 with a squid tentacle
EventsNewsOpportunitiesResources

Vendors wanted for Squidfest in Granite Falls

by SMAC
written by SMAC

What is yOUR ART?  If you haven’t registered as a vendor yet, its a great opportunity to show your creative side!  Vendors can set up between 1 and 3, the music lasts until 9 PM but you can leave earlier via the river road if you like.  Registration link is – https://www.prairiesquidfest.com/sign-up or also on The Granite Area Arts Council website.

What do you give your time, energy, passion to? Whether it’s baking bread, quilting, growing tomatoes, raising kids, loving the river, or just being a good neighbor – come share it in Granite!

Whether as a vendor or just an attendee, Todd the river squid hopes to see you in Granite Falls next Saturday, September 17!

The Todd Squid
PO Box 111

807 Prentice Street
Granite Falls, MN  56241
320-564-4240 (gallery)

 

More about the event:

A regional festival celebrating Art, Community, & the Art of Community in the Minnesota River Valley. Find out more on the Squidfest/RIBfest website.

Set in the charming riverfront downtown of local art hotspot Granite Falls, SquidFest showcases the wild wealth of art, music, food, culture, care, and crafts of this historied area.

SquidFest shares the day with the local American Legion #69’s RibFest, the Steve Virnig Memorial Disc Golf Tournament, and Welcome Days, because more food, friends, and music is always better – and RibFest will continue into the night.

If we’re lucky, Todd – our resident river squid – may even make an appearance!

So mark your calendars, and ask yourself: “What is yOUR art?”

10 am- Squid Fest 5K Walk, Run, Crawl

12 pm- Steve Virning Memorial Disc Golf Tournament in Rice Park

3-5 pm- Petting Zoo, Berge Basement Paint Party (there are walls and body suits involved), Fire Truck & Ambulance Up Close (no fire), Popcorn (thanks Kiwanis!), Facepainting, Sand Art, Stone Soup, Spinning Disc Paint, Plastic Jellies, Scavenger Hunt, Food Trucks, Vendors & Booths sharing “their art”!, squid “classes”, Family friendly adult beverage garden & Promenade

4 pm- RIBFEST has ribs comin’ off the grill!

3-9 pm- On the MAINSTAGE: 3-4 PM Alyssa Nelson, 4-5:20 pm Los Rebeldes, 5:40-7 pm Ian Hillmer and Drivestation, 7:30-9 pm Dred I Dread

4-10 pm on the RIBSTAGE: Maddy Braun & Brody Cordes

10:30 pm- Clean up party!

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