NWMAC Calendar
Upcoming Events
Panel Meeting
This is a panel meeting to review grant applications that have been submitted since the last board meeting. You are welcome to observe this meeting. Please contact our director Mara Hanel (director@nwartscouncil.org) for a link to the meeting. This meeting is only if needed.
Grant Deadline for Individual Artists
Individual Artist Grants Deadline. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists. Individual Artist Grants provide financial assistance for the exhibition, performance, or production of a specific creative work, mentoring with a more experienced artist, participation in not-for-credit arts experiences.
To be eligible you must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age and reside in the 7 county NW Minnesota region. College tuition is not an eligible expense.
Individual Artist Grants for either $1,500 or $5,000 have an annual deadline of November 15. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation. Quick turnaround grants for $500 are available on an ongoing deadline -- first come, first served. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Applicants must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation. Applicants absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2025). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.
Grant Writing Training Session for Individuals
We will offer grant writing training sessions two weeks before each grant deadline. This training is Monday, November 4 at 4 PM. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org. You can take advantage of the opportunity to come into our office and work on your grant in our grant writing space!
Grant Deadline for Organizations
October 31 is the grant deadline for nonprofits and government organizations. Organizations can apply for one arts project at a time and grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Organizational arts activities funded through these two very important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities. Don't forget public art!
NWMAC Executive Meeting of our Board
You are welcome to observe our board meetings. Email our director at director@nwartscouncil.org for a zoom link.
Grant Writing Training Session
We will offer grant writing training sessions two weeks before each grant deadline. This training is October 16, 2024 at 4 PM. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org.
Panel Meeting
This is a panel meeting to review grant applications that have been submitted since the last board meeting. You are welcome to observe this meeting. Please contact our director Mara Hanel (director@nwartscouncil.org) for a link to the meeting. This meeting is only if needed.
Grant Writing Training Session July
We will offer grant writing training sessions two weeks before each grant deadline. This training is July 17, 2024 at 11 AM. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org.
NWMAC Annual Meeting
You are welcome to observe our board meetings. Email director@nwartscouncil.org for a zoom link. This hybrid meeting will be held in Fosston at the East Polk Heritage Center in Fosston or online.
NWMAC Board Meeting
You are welcome to observe our board meetings. Email director@nwartscouncil.org for a zoom link. This meeting will be held only if needed.
Panel Meeting
This is a panel meeting to review grant applications that have been submitted since the last board meeting. You are welcome to observe this meeting. Please contact our director Mara Hanel (director@nwartscouncil.org) for a link to the meeting. This meeting is only if needed.
NWMAC Board Meeting
You are welcome to observe our board meetings. Email director@nwartscouncil.org for a zoom link.
Panel Meeting
This is a panel meeting to review grant applications that have been submitted since the last board meeting. You are welcome to observe this meeting. Please contact our director Mara Hanel (director@nwartscouncil.org) for a link to the meeting.
Grant Writing Training Session April
We will offer grant writing training sessions two weeks before each grant deadline. This training is April 16, 2024. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org.
NW Art Exhibit
The Northwest Minnesota Annual Art Exhibit
Open April 3 – April 21
Kittson County History Museum
Lake Bronson
Reception and Program on April 21 to
Honor Exhibit & Of the Year Award Winners
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce the NW Annual Art Exhibit is at the Kittson County History Museum in Lake Bronson from April 3 until April 21.
Adult artists from our 7 county- service region (Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, and Red Lake Falls) will enter their art art, including photography, sculpture, drawings, and paintings, into this exhibit and are competing for $2,300.00 in cash awards. Attendees at the exhibit can vote for People’s Choice. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by a qualified juror. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception.
Student art will be included in the exhibit and will also be eligible for cash awards.
The exhibit is at the Kittson County History Museum at 332 East Main Street, Lake Bronson and will be open for the public to view art and vote for People’s Choice. Stay tuned for times and dates.
Wednesday, April 3. Opening Day.
Sunday, April 21. Closing Day. Exhibit opens at noon. Reception begins at 2 pm, Program at 3pm.
There will be a reception and program on April 21 at the Lake Bronson History Museum. Exhibit will be open for viewing artwork at noon. Reception with light refreshments and music will start at 2:00 PM in the cafeteria with the program at 3:00 PM. Of the Year Awards -- the NW Star Award -- Lifetime Achievement, Artist of the Year, and Arts Advocate of the Year will be presented, in addition to exhibit awards. The Exhibit and Reception are open to the public and free to attend. Many pieces of art are for sale and the public is encouraged to shop. Purchases can be marked as sold and picked up on April 21 after the reception. The reception is a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region.
Funding for these awards is provided by the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Legislature.
Executive Committee of NWMAC Board
This Executive Committee of the NWMAC will meet only if needed. Contact our Director with any questions.
Grant Deadline for Govt Entities & Non-Profits
Deadline for Arts Grants for Governmental Entities & Non-Profit Organizations. Main deadlines are July 31, October 31, and February 29.
NWMAC Board Meeting
You are welcome to observe our board meetings. Email director@nwartscouncil.org for a zoom link.
Grant Writing Training Session February
We will offer grant writing training sessions two weeks before each grant deadline on February 13, and April 17, 2024. This can be virtual or in person. You must RSVP to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by calling 218-745-8886 or email director@nwartscouncil.org.
MCA Meet Up
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is traveling across the state and wants to meet up with you!
They are stopping in communities across Minnesota to hear from artists, arts organizations, community leaders, businesses, residents, and families about how Legacy Arts Funding has helped the arts flourish. How has this funding helped with the quality of living in your community? How does it impact your downtown? Who benefits when your organization succeeds?
Please join in the casual conversation with MCA Executive Director Sarah Fossen, MN State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens, the MCA Lobbyists from Winthrop & Weinstine, and NWMAC Director Mara Hanel. MCA has invited local legislators to join as well.
Aurora Center for the Arts
403 N Foss Ave, Fosston, MN 56542
Wednesday, January 10th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The event is co-sponsored by the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council.
Help Them Plan for Numbers by Registering: