IGNITE RURAL Artist Residency

Building off of the 2020 Dakota CAIR pilot project, IGNITE RURAL is expanding to support four (4) BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and Native artists and culture bearers based in the 18-county Southwest Minnesota region in a four month “at-home” residency model to stimulate the development of innovative, people-centered strategies addressing unique challenges, needs, or opportunities present in their rural communities.

The four selected IGNITE RURAL artists will be provided a $4000 stipend and $4000 project budget to support their artistic practice and to design and implement a creative project that addresses a need identified by their local community. Examples of the types of community challenges an artist might work on during their residency include (but are not limited to), design a creative approach to increasing physical or mental health, strengthen connections between neighbors, improve food access for families in need, or amplify anti-bias / anti-racist efforts.

We believe that creative leaders, artists, and culture bearers can help us reimagine our systems of support, access, distribution, communication, and connection during this time, and will help us achieve radically transformative results that can be adopted, adapted, and implemented for long-term change throughout our region.  IGNITE RURAL uplifts BIPOC rural arts and cultural workers as invaluable contributors to increasing community health and wealth, especially during this crucial time of post-pandemic community care and repair.

IGNITE RURAL ARTIST RESIDENCY
AT-A-GLANCE

• Application deadline is Friday, November 19, 2021 at 11:59pm CST.
• The Call for Artists is open to BIPOC artists based in the 18-county Southwestern Minnesota region.
• Successful applicants will have previously demonstrated commitment to advancing the role of art, creativity, and culture in their rural community.
• Selected Artists will complete a 4-month “at-home” residency in their own community from February 1 – May 31, 2022. 
• Selected artists will receive a $4,000 stipend ($1000 per month for 4 months) and a $4,000 project budget ($8,000 total).
• Selected Artists will participate in digital learning exchanges with other Ignite Rural Artists and representatives from Racing Magpie, Dakota Wicohan, Mni Sota Arts, and Department of Public Transformation, in addition to other civic artists and program partners.