Challenge America
FY05 Awardees

CHARISM (Fargo)
$5,755

Through the "Changing Face of Fargo" project, two North Dakota artists will assist with the creation of two multiculturally-themed murals. One will be produced with both youth and adults. The other will be an artist-in-residence experience for multicultural and at-risk youth enrolled in the CHARISM Youth Enrichment programs.

City of Washburn
$4,000

Artrain, the nation's only traveling art museum on a train, will stop in Washburn. Five rail cars holding a fine arts exhibition, an artist studio, gift shop, and administrative and staff space will showcase the exhibit Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture.

Dakota Stage, Ltd. (Bismarck)
$4,000

A Dakota Stage director, assistant director, and stage crew will work with Camp Grassick counselors and campers on a theatre project. The project will provide an opportunity for all campers in two camp sessions to be on stage and/or work on a production.

Downtown Leadership Group (Grand Forks)
$6,000

The Grand Cities Art Fest will add a new educational component called "From Nature to Art.” Activities will involve an element of nature and its uses in creating art.

Future Builders (Fargo-Moorhead)
$10,000

The Trollwood Performing Arts School will expand its programming to the middle school level and then create a pilot outreach program that can be taken to rural communities.

International Music Camp (International Peace Garden near Dunseith)
$5,000

In recognition of its 50th anniversary, the IMC will commission two musical pieces for concert band. The project will also include performances for middle and high school bands, a composer’s forum workshop, public performances, and the recording and airing by North Dakota Public Radio of two concerts.

North Dakota Museum of Art (Grand Forks)
$20,000

The NDMOA will provide completion funds to filmmaker and state native Kathryn Lipke for Shadow Land, a half-hour documentary about North Dakotans and their relationship to trees that will air on Prairie Public Television. Also, in conjunction with an exhibit, the museum will publish a book (working tile: Shelterbelts: A North Dakota Story) featuring work by Fargo photographer Jon Solinger, Grand Forks poet Madelyn Camrud, and other poets, essayists, and short fiction writers.

Prairie Public Broadcasting (statewide)
$10,450

PPB will use funds to complete production, post-production, and national distribution work on the documentary Heimat: German from Russian Music Traditions.

University of North Dakota (Grand Forks)
$2,500 

The UND Music Department, other UND fine arts departments, and members of the community will produce The Festival of Women in the Arts. The four-day music festival will focus on the contributions women have made to the contemporary arts with a special focus on new music.

Valley City Public Schools
$13,000

VCPS will further develop an art education program in its elementary schools. Funds will be used to retain a coordinator to assist in this development.

Western Plains Opera (Minot)
$1,700

Challenge America funds will help the WPO develop and maintain a Web site as well as assist with licensing and administration costs for the site.

Parties interested in submitting a proposal for a Challenge America project can contact the NDCA office at 701-328-7592 or comserv@nd.gov. Guidelines for FY06 Challenge America grants will be available late fall or early winter 2004. FY05 guidelines are still available for reference.