Twenty-seven area artists, schools, and arts organizations have recently been awarded a total of $106,319 in grants from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC).

Local artists received a total of $21,375 to create new works, and attend workshops. An additional round of Individual Artist grants is coming up, with an application deadline of February 25, 2015.

$30,158 was awarded to area schools for artist residencies and arts field trips. The planned second round of Arts in the Schools grants (application deadline January 15, 2015) has been cancelled due to a lack of remaining funds.

Local arts organizations received $54,786 to upgrade facilities and equipment.

SMAC grants are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, by an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund, by the McKnight Foundation, and by contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations, schools, cities and counties.

 

INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTS: $21,375

SMAC Individual Artist Development Grants provide up to $1,500 to aid emerging artists at an early stage of their career development.

Sima Amid-Wewetzer, Marshall, $1,500 to create an orbit-themed collection of new works in acrylic and oil pastels, entitled “Art in Science”.

Glen Bruns, Marshall, $1,500 to create and frame a new series of book collage artwork.

Jennifer Bruns, Marshall, $1,200 to produce photo illustrations for three children’s books.

Kristine Leuze, Hutchinson, $1,500 for a macro photography project focusing on the diversity of wildlife in Minnesota.

Mary Seifert, Willmar, $1,500 to attend a publishing workshop at The Loft Literary Center and to work with a manuscript critic in preparation for publishing her novel.

Curt Soine, Granite Falls, $1,500 for oil painting instruction to enhance his woodcarvings.

 

 

SMAC Individual Artist Established Career Grants provide up to $5,000 to aid established career artists in the advanced stage of their career development with projects that will advance their career.

Bill Gossman, New London, $5,000 to create sculptural pottery and update his website.

Jedd Peters, Spicer, $5,000 to purchase a new pottery kiln.

Bonnie Van Moorlehem, Minneota, $4,675 for research materials and classes to produce landscape paintings.

 

 

SMAC Individual Artist Established Career Grants for Legacy Projects provide up to $7,000 to aid established career artists in the advanced stage of their career development with projects that leave an arts legacy in Minnesota.

Craig Edwards, New London, $7,000 to create large pottery sculptures as public art and to document the process with an online video.

 

 

 

ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS GRANTS: $30,158

Arts in the Schools Grants provide schools with up to $4,000 for artist residencies and up to $2,000 for arts-related field trips.

Adrian High School, Marshall, $2,000 for a Twin Cities art gallery tour field trip, and 2,000 for a Copper Street Brass residency.

Appleton/Milan Elementary School, $3,000 for a fairy tale & poetry writing residency with Marie Olofsdotter.

Bert Raney Elementary, Granite Falls, $948 for a Ross Sutter dulcimer residency.

Hills-Beaver Creek School, $4,000 for an Anne Krocak residency to complete a ceramic mural in the commons of the school.

Lakeview Schools, Cottonwood, $1,973 for a Ross Sutter dulcimer residency.

Montevideo Schools, $2,000 for a senior class trip to the Guthrie Theatre to see Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

New London-Spicer Schools, $3,500 for a Craig Edwards pottery residency.

Red Rock Central Schools, Lamberton, $2,237 for the 41st Annual Lamberton Jazz Festival.

Southwest Minnesota State University Music Department, Marshall, $3,000 for a Conrad Herwig jazz residency.

Stevens Elementary, Dawson, $3,500 for a Ross Sutter dulcimer residency.

Worthington Middle School, $2,000 for a Copper Street Brass residency.

 

 

LEGACY EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT GRANTS: $54,786

 Legacy Equipment & Facilities Improvement Grants provide arts organizations with $5,001 up to $15,000 in matching funds to art organizations for large-scale equipment & facilities improvements that will enable the organization to leave an arts legacy in Minnesota.

Lake Benton Opera House, $5,437 to replace doors & windows and purchase light tree stands and a backstage video monitor.

Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra, $10,759 for new percussion equipment.

Big Stone Arts Council, Ortonville, $9,190 for an architect and structural engineer to create plans to renovate an old water plant building into a cultural center.

McLeod County Historical Society, Hutchinson, $7,500 for gallery lighting for the Les C. Kouba Art Collection.

Crow River Drumline Association, Hutchinson, $14,400 for new percussion equipment for the Phoenix Drumline.

Granite Area Arts Council, Granite Falls, $7,500 to replace their upper windows.