North Dakota Council on the Arts

		August 2008
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Statewide News Bush Foundation Announces First Dakota Creative Connections Recipients, $50,000 in Grants Given to Ten Artists in North Dakota and South Dakota The Bush Foundation announced the first recipients of its "Dakota Creative Connections" grants. Ten visual artists from South and North Dakota will share $50,000 for projects focused on helping them develop new ideas and directions in their creative lives. These ten artists also will participate in three retreats over the next year to help create professional development programs uniquely geared toward the needs of artists in these two states. The 2008 six North Dakota "Dakota Creative Connections" recipients are: Karen Lynn Davidson of Minot; Kim William Fink of Grand Forks; Sister Nancy Gunderson, OSB of Bismarck; Alfred Jason Lindell of Park River; Sherry Lee Short of Fargo; and Sarah Regan Snavely of Bowman. Dakota Creative Connections provides artists with project grants ranging from $3,000 to $6,000. The grants can be used for travel, study and research; artist residencies and retreats; equipment and materials; and/or short-term projects. Dakota Creative Connections is one of three initiatives of the newly expanded Bush Artist Program supporting individual artists. North Dakotans Planning to Bring Lincoln Bicentennial To Norway in July 2009; and the Original Homestead Act is on Display at the ND Heritage Center through November 10, 2008 As North Dakotans are winding down their Independence Day celebrations this year, efforts are underway to bring a group of people with ties to the state to Norway for next year’s Fourth of July observances. This trip is one of the events being planned in North Dakota to commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. On July 4, 1914, North Dakota Governor Louis Hanna presented a heroic size bust of the 16th U.S. President to Norway for the nation’s centennial celebration of its independence from Sweden. Joining Governor Hanna at the 1914 dedication ceremony for the bust in Oslo’s Frogner Park was a large delegation of other North Dakotans. Rick Collin, who is the state coordinator for North Dakota’s Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial observance, said annual July 4 programs have been held in front of the bust every year since by the U.S. Embassy and others with ties to the United States and North Dakota. Collin said the U.S. Homestead Act, which was signed by President Lincoln in 1862, brought many Northern Europeans, including people from Norway, to then-northern Dakota Territory, later North Dakota. The original Homestead Act, bearing President Lincoln’s signature, is now on display at the ND Heritage Center in Bismarck through November 10, 2008. More details about the trip will be available in September. Collin said anyone interested in having their name put on a mailing list to receive more information should contact Brekke Tours and Travel at this toll-free number: 800-437-5302, or email tours@brekketours.com. For more information about the Lincoln Bicentennial, visit the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s website at www.nd.gov/hist or the Abraham Lincoln National Bicentennial Commission website at http://www.abrahamlincoln200.org./. For more information about the Homestead Act, visit www.nps.gov/home. Urban Harvest Takes Place Every Thursday in Historic Downtown Bismarck The summer of 2008 marks the fourth season of Urban Harvest. Every Thursday through August 14, downtown Bismarck will be transformed into a picturesque open-air market that features a variety of local artists, crafters, food vendors, farmers and entertainers. Located in Historic Downtown Bismarck, on the corner of 4th and Broadway, Urban Harvest market hours are 10am-8pm. In addition, the Urban Harvest stage offers a full day of local entertainment and an evening concert series from 6-9:30pm. more on Urban Harvest... Culture Festival, August 1-3, 2008 The Culture Festival in Jamestown is a statewide celebration of folk and ethnic traditions found throughout North Dakota. This festival shares traditions of our diverse populations from Native American to ancestral immigrants and recent refugees. There will be music and dance performances, demonstrations by traditional artists, traditional games, traditional foods and more. This festival takes place in McElroy Park. The Everett Albers Chautauqua "Lincoln, Land and Liberty: Civil Ware Era and Beyond" will be held in conjunction with the festival on August 2-4, 2008. For more information, visit www.jamestownartscenter.org/page12.php. Capital A'Fair, August 2-3, 2008 Bismarck Art & Galleries Association's Capital A'Fair is one of the areas largest summer art fairs. It features over 100 artisans from across the country and attracts thousands of local and regional visitors. Music, great food, performing arts groups and children's activities contribute to the festive mood. Hours are Sat 10-6; Sun 10-4. Enjoy the classic car show on Sunday. The fair is located at the beautiful State Capitol Grounds. For more information, call 223-5986 or visit http://www.bismarck-art.org/. The Red River Watercolor Society is Celebrating its 10th Annual 8th Street Fine Art Sale, August 13-14, 2008 Fine Art Sale on the lawn of Shotwell floral garden center, August 13 & 14, 11am-7pm, 1302 South 8th Street, Fargo, ND. This outside event showcases over 40 artists from 100-mile area including West Fargo, Fargo-Moorhead, Pelican Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Rollag, Fergus Falls and Grand Forks. Artist will be displaying and selling their fine art, including watercolor, acrylic, oil and pastel paintings, pottery, photography, textile, jewelry, ceramic tiles, wood work and more. This popular art fest is expected to attract more than 3,000 guests during its two- days run. It is free and open to the public. For more information, email: cbruhn2898@hotmail.com, or call 237-3669. 39th Annual United Tribes International Powwow September 4-7, 2008 United Tribes Technical College, a nonprofit organization privately owned by the recognized Indian Nations of North Dakota, has been serving the academic, as well as the cultural, needs of American Indian students and their families since 1969, and in the thirty-seven years since it began, the United Tribes International Powwow has been a big part of that. The Powwow is held annually in the Lone Star Arena at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota and has become one of the premier cultural events of North Dakota, receiving numerous awards over the years. Representing over 70 tribes, featuring over 1500 dancers and drummers, and drawing over 20,000 spectators the Powwow has become a must-see event. For more information, visit http://www.unitedtribespowwow.com/. WomanSong, a Celebration of Women & the Arts on the Prairie, September 6-7, 2008 WomanSong, takes place on September 6-7, 2008, at the LaMoure County Memorial Park. Their mission is to provide a unique opportunity for women to explore, in a natural setting, the fine art of living as a woman of the prairie through art, music and a renewed sense of community. For general information, visit http://www.dakotawomansong.org/; contact Deb Elhard at 349-3803; e-mail lifessns@drtel.net; or write to WomanSong, PO Box 401, Oakes, ND 58474. Call for Entries: BAGA's Annual Fall Art Show, October 7-25, 2008 Bismarck Art & Galleries Association's Annual Fall Art Show is scheduled for October 7-25 and the entry deadline is September 19, 2008. For more information, call 223-5986; or visit http://www.bismarck-art.org/. Crafters Wanted Crafters are wanted to sell their items during Applefest, September 20, 2008 in downtown Ellendale. If you are interested in a booth on Main Street, please call Patricia, 349-2916, or e-mail ellenjda@drtel.net. Call for Entries: Third Annual Bowdon Duckfest Art Show, October 10-12, 2008 The Third Annual Bowdon Duckfest Art Show will be held October 10-12 in Bowdon, ND. The emphasis is on waterfowl art, but any subjects are welcome to be entered. Fee is $3.00 per piece and entry deadline is September 30, 2008. For official rules, visit http://www.bowdonnd.com/ and click on events. For more information, call Dorothy Miller at 984-2555.
National News Bush Foundation Announces a Change in Direction: "Goals for a Decade: Courageous Leaders ~ Vibrant Communities" In 2006, the Bush Foundation Board of Directors began looking carefully at the past and future of the Bush Foundation. As they looked to the future, they decided that they needed to focus their energies in order to have an even greater impact. During the past six months, they asked themselves, "What difference do we want to make?" In response, they chose three ambitious goals that they intend to pursue for at least the next decade: 1) Develop Courageous Leaders and Engage Entire Communities in Solving Problems; 2) Support the Self-Determination of Native Nations; and 3) Increase Educational Achievement. As they begin focusing on their new goals and strategies for the next decade, there will be changes to current programs, to learn more about what you can expect, visit http://www.bushfoundation.org/. Call to Artists: Call for entries for The Art of Personal Adornment Deadline extension and expanded area - Postmark Deadline is now August 15, 2008. The Dahl Arts Center is looking for artists working on innovative approaches to traditional or contemporary forms of The Art of Personal Adornment. Don’t miss this opportunity to show your work in one of the premier shows in the newly renovated and expanded Dahl Galleries opening in January 2009. Cash prizes will be awarded and images will be published! Artists from states within 500 miles of Rapid City, SD, are asked to submit materials to be considered for an inaugural exhibition in the newly expanded Dahl galleries. Artists are required to submit four (high-quality digital) images representative of work created in the last two years. All work must be original, made by the artist, and completed within the last two years. Submitted works are open to a full range of processes and materials. Categories include but are not limited to: beadwork, metalsmithing, lapidary, natural materials, non-traditional materials and glasswork. Invitations to participate in the exhibit will be based on creativity, innovation, quality, consistency and craftsmanship of the work as shown by the images submitted. Entry Fee: $25. Download entry form with exhibit details at http://www.thedahl.org/ or request a PDF be emailed to you by sending an email to contact@thedahl.org with "Adornment" in the subject line. Or call 605-394-4101 x200 to request one by mail. Midwest Arts Conference, September 17-20, 2008 Wednesday, September 17-Saturday, September 20, 2008 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Midwest Arts Conference plays a vital role in connecting the performing arts to audiences across the central United States. Each year, performing artists, artist managers/agents, performing arts presenters, and service organizations gather to meet in person to strengthen business contacts and enhance their professional knowledge. The Conference is committed to providing a productive and energized environment where attendees can: expand their networks of performing arts colleagues, resources, and opportunities; learn new skills and gain valuable insights into issues relevant to the performing arts; discover artists from a diverse range of disciplines in the Marketplace exhibit hall and at live performances; and deepen their commitment to creating dynamic performing arts experiences for artists and audiences. The only meeting of its kind in the Midwest, the Conference is managed by Arts Midwest and serves the 15 states represented by Arts Midwest and Mid-America Arts Alliance. For more information on the Midwest Arts Conference, or to register, visit www.artsmidwest.org/programs/mac. Kennedy Center Board Member Seminar, October 8-10, 2008 This event takes place on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 through Friday, October 10, 2008 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Board members of most not-for-profit arts organizations are faced with many challenges. Without the necessary experience and/or skills to effectively facilitate their organizations’ success at their missions while navigating these challenges, many board members must rely too heavily on conventional wisdom as they attempt to fulfill their roles. The Kennedy Center Board Seminar is ideal for teams of current and potential board members and senior staff from arts organizations throughout the country. This event is an opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge in a practical and user-friendly program. Senior staff of the Kennedy Center (led by President Michael Kaiser) will facilitate discussions promoting more effective and efficient board leadership, financial understanding, hiring practices, fundraising campaigns, and institutional identity building. To register, or if you have questions, please contact Jennifer Bowman, Coordinator of Capacity Building Programs, at (202) 416-8861 or jmbowman@kennedy-center.org. Registration closes on September 17. Space is limited. For complete information about the Seminar, please visit: www.artsmanager.org/kcinstitute/individuals/boardseminar.cfm. NDCA Professional Development funds are available to attend this Seminar. The deadline for the Professional Development grant to be submitted is September 10 (4 weeks prior to the start of the event), but you and encourage to apply early as the conference registration closes on September 17, 2008. USArtists International Announces Global Expansion Grants from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Trust for Mutual Understanding Allow for Program Growth Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation announced a major expansion of USArtists International (USAI). The Foundation received grants of $500,000 from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and $100,000 from the Trust for Mutual Understanding in support of USAI. A program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, USAI is the only national initiative solely dedicated to promoting the work of American performing artists abroad. Formerly limited to supporting dance and music ensembles invited to perform at international festivals in Europe, USAI will now encompass festivals anywhere in the world outside the United States. The program will also be open to support American theater companies and solo performances in all performing arts disciplines. New guidelines for USAI are available online at http://www.midatlanticarts.org/. The deadlines for the program are September 8, 2008 for projects taking place between November 1, 2008 and October 31, 2009; January 9, 2009 for projects taking place between March 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010; and May 4, 2009 for projects taking place between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. USAI is committed to ensuring that the impressive range of expression of the performing arts in the United States is represented abroad. The program works to strengthen the creative and professional development of American dance, music and theatre artists by providing support for their performances at significant international festivals. Through the participation of exemplary American performing artists, USAI helps develop audiences for, and greater appreciation of, the excellence, diversity and vitality of the American arts. American Masterpieces - Presenting Grant Now Available The National Endowment for the Arts' initiative, American Masterpieces – Presenting is now accepting applications. This program allows presenters the opportunity to do what they do best - design and create their own multidisciplinary program for consideration as an American Masterpiece. Presenting organizations of all sizes, genres and aesthetics to apply including: networks of presenters, college or university presenters, local/national/regional presenters, and national service organizations and their networks, are encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity under the Presenting category and, if you already apply to Learning in the Arts, Challenge America - Fast Track, or Access to Artistic Excellence, this affords your organization an additional opportunity to receive project funding. The details of the program are located at www.arts.gov/grants/apply/AMPresenting.html. The deadline is September 26, 2008 (although due to Grants.gov, we very strongly encourage you to apply by September 19). The grants will range from 10K to 100K. For questions, or more information, call 202-682- 5469 or email durhamm@arts.gov or lims@arts.gov. Interstate Musical Theatre Project The Academy for New Musical Theatre in Los Angeles, invites composers, lyricists, playwrights and theatre companies from North Dakota to create brand-new musicals, written specifically as part of a national series of musicals exploring American themes and culture. The goal of the Interstate Musical Theatre Project is for the Academy for New Musical to provide three workshops for each of the projects which qualify, perhaps as many as "fifty states, fifty musicals." The winner will receive a $10,000 prize and a concert reading; all entrants will receive table readings and dramaturgical feedback from ANMT staff, half-way through Act One, at the conclusion of Act One, and upon final draft. These are brand-new musicals, written specifically as part of a national series of musicals exploring American themes and culture. Participating musicals pay ANMT to provide actors, pianists, rehearsal space, music directors and dramaturgs. ANMT will finance the final concert reading. Complete information about the process and the Interstate Musical Theatre Project can be found at www.anmt.org/interstate.asp; or contact Scott Guy, Academy for New Musical Theatre at sguy@anmt.org; or 818-506-8500. Start Planning for National Arts and Humanities Month Get ready for National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) this October. 2008 information coming soon. This site is full of tips and ideas to help you take action, be inspired, and participate in the arts during NAHM. Be one of the 10,000 communities that celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month every year. Keep checking the web site for updated news and resources. If you need more information or have questions, contact nahm@artsusa.org. Guiding Principles and Practices for Lobbying by NonProfits The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) released the newly developed Smart and Ethical Principles and Practices for Public Interest Lobbying. The four principles and 17 practices serve as a benchmarking tool nonprofits can use to assess their current lobbying work and set aspirations for their future lobbying efforts. The result of an 18-month, collaborative development process with a group of nonprofit leaders and funding by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the principles and practices are CLPI’s response to the need for nonprofits to claim public interest lobbying as an honorable and effective strategy for advancing their missions. To view the full report (principles and practices) visit www.clpi.org/SEPP.aspx and click on "Read the full report." Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grants for Artists Open deadline. The Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Inc. was established in 1985 for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance to individual working artists of established ability through the generosity of the late Lee Krasner, one of the leading abstract expressionist painters and the widow of Jackson Pollock. The Pollock-Krasner Foundation's dual criteria for grants are recognizable artistic merit and financial need, whether professional, personal, or both. The foundation's mission is to aid those individuals who have worked as professional artists over a significant period of time. For more information, visit www.pkf.org/grant.html. Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grants Open deadline. These grants are open to artists worldwide in the early stages of their careers working in painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture. Work must be representational. Grants are awarded up to $10,000 (Canadian). For more information, e-mail green@total.net; call 514.937.9225; or visit www.muse.calarts.edu/~stdafrs/web/greenshields.html.
Event and Exhibit Calendars, and Arts Opportunities Upcoming Events and Exhibits calendars on the NDCA web site. If you have events, exhibits or artist opportunities that you would like included on the NDCA web site, please email them to mailto:comserv@nd.gov?subject=e-Prairie Arts: Upcoming Events. Check out the current Arts Opportunities available on the NDCA web site!
Did you Know... State arts agencies awarded nearly 3,000 grants totaling $7.7 million to individual artists in fiscal year 2006. These awards, comprising 11% of grants and 3% of grant dollars, went to support various activities including fellowships, apprencticeships, artwork creation, residencies, exhibitions, performances, and professional development. ~ NASAA Notes, July 2008, Volume 12, Issue 4 According to The Nonprofit Almanac 2008, the total number of nonprofit organizations increased from 187,038 in 1995 to 310,683 in 2005, a 66.1 % increase, whereas the number of arts, culture, and humanities organizations increased from 21,277 to 35,840 (a 68.4% increase). ~ NASAA Notes, July 2008, Volume 12, Issue 4 more on The Nonprofit Almanac 2008...
Other Resources Applying for 501(c) Status Without a Lawyer The IRS has created a new website (http://www.stayexempt.org/) that enables new organizations to apply for 501(c) status without using a lawyer. This site is helpful and easy to follow. Sell Your Arts/Crafts Online at PrairieWorksMall.com Prairie Works is organized to empower rural and isolated North Dakota artists and artisans to market their crafts and gain access to professional networks. Its purpose is to promote access to, and development of, arts in rural and tribal communities in North Dakota. Prairie Works is an organization founded to continue the art and craft heritage of rural ND artists by providing a source to market and sell their creative products. Prairie Works is providing the On-Line Gallery, a web site to sell art and craft work that ND artists, crafters and art entrepreneurs have created. The arts/crafts of Prairie Works will consist of quality, originality, creativity, and use of appropriate techniques. All work must be handmade by the ND artisan. For more information; to become a member; and/or to sell your arts/crafts online, please visit http://www.prairieworksmall.com/. Online Arts Job Resource Americans for the Arts have created an online arts job resource for employers and employees to come together. This new resource can be accessed by visiting http://jobbank.artsusa.org/search.cfm. Prairie Independent Introducing the "Prairie Independent" Bismarck-Mandan's newest community newspaper of people, places and events. The "Prairie Independent" is available at over 130 locations including community coffee shops, restaurants, waiting rooms, bars, entertainment centers, convenience stores, churches and at the Prairie Independent office. The "Prairie Independent" is a Free publication, if you are interested in advertising availability or offering the "Prairie Independent" to your customers, please contact Don Morrison at don@ndpeople.org, or (701) 527-0060. Self Employment in the Arts (SEA) The focus of SEA is on the business of art. SEA was created with the idea that more artists will succeed if they have business skills, knowledge, resources, and contacts. Through artist-led conferences, a website full of resources and articles, and educational tools like the award winning Entrepreneurial Artist DVD; SEA helps artists turn their passions into a living. SEA is for college students, serious high school students, artists, and educators. Their mission is to provide educational resources to help aspiring artists gain the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed to establish and maintain a career as an independent artist. more on SEA... "Tools for Results" Tool-Kit - a Resource for Non-profit Arts and Cultural Organizations The Texas Commission on the Arts "Tools for Results" Tool-kit was developed as a resource for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Texas and beyond. The Tool-kit is a collaborative project made possible with the help of many organizations that generously agreed to share their resources. The Tool-kit covers six topic areas: Fundraising & Development, Programs & Exhibitions, Cultural Tourism, Marketing, Advocacy, and Nonprofit Basics. Each section covers the basics, relevant concepts, best practices, things to consider, ideas for implementing change, common mistakes, ways to get started, do’s and don’ts, and how-to’s on a variety of topics. The “tools” are the sample forms, letters, documents, checklists, templates, and other resources. The intention is for nonprofits to take these “tools” and adapt them for their own purposes. United States Artists (USA) USA is a new organization dedicated to the support of America's finest living artists. Artists now have a home where they may find significant private funding to ignite the creativity that makes this country great. USA was launched in September 2005 with $20 million in seed funding provided by a coalition of leading foundations—Ford, Rockefeller, Prudential, and Rasmuson—in an act of unprecedented private investment in individual artists and the creative potential of America. Their initial investment enables them to pilot the USA Fellows program, awarding unrestricted $50,000 grants to fifty artists each year beginning in 2006. USA's long-term vision is to create an organization dedicated to the unlimited promise of our finest artists. Their horizon line is not three, five, or 25 years, but rather 100 years and beyond. Building on their base of private funding, their aspiration is to be permanently endowed. more on United States Artists… Artists' Health Insurance Resource Center The Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC) database was created in 1998 by The Actors’ Fund of America, with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as a health insurance resource for artists and people in the entertainment industry. Since then, with support from The Commonwealth Fund, it has expanded to include resources for the self-employed, low-income workers, the under-insured, the uninsured who require medical care and many other groups. For more information visit: http://www.ahirc.org/; for a direct link to North Dakota resources, visit: www.ahirc.org/state_indx.cfm?st=ND. Online Legal Primers on the Arts A new web site, http://www.thelawportal.info/, offers legal primers for artists and arts organizations, covering topics that range from the traditional and familiar (such as copyright) to the new and sometimes obscure (two-way broadband network access), and from the personal (how to find healthy materials) to the professional (how to develop contracts) to the political (free speech). Online Classifieds Opportunities & Services for Artists The New York Foundation for the Arts' Online Classifieds Opportunities & Services for Artists, is a free national online sources for artist opportunities and services. These include calls for entry, services such as photography of art work and accounting, space for rent, and many others. New listings are posted daily (designated with an orange "new" icon for one week) and remain on the site until they expire. Organizations posting listings are solely responsible for the content of those listings. Additional Web Sites The following Web sites have resources that may be of service to educators, individual artists, and arts organizations including funding and other opportunities, publications, arts events, etc: National Endowment for the Arts Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Arts Midwest Arts Education Partnership
The North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout North Dakota, and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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