Region 2 Arts Council Blog
Arts Access Grant Now Open
As one grant closes, another one opens! The Arts Access Grant is now open for applications!
These grants can support creation, production, and presentation of high-quality arts activities, as well as projects that help overcome barriers to accessing high-quality arts activities, and projects that help instill the arts into the community and public life in our region. Arts activities proposed for funding must be accessible by the public, have a strong community component, and must benefit the residents of Beltrami, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen Counties. Organizations can apply for up to two Arts Access Grants for two different arts activities each year. Arts Access Grants are open to non-profits, nonparochial public and charter schools, colleges, universities, community education programs, local tribal government entities from the sovereign nations of Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth or town/city/county government entities from our five-county region, arts organizations, arts affiliates, and groups formed for nonprofit purposes with a fiscal sponsor.
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
Maximum Award: $6,000
Earliest Start Date for Projects: January 29, 2025
For eligibility details and to apply visit www.r2arts.org
Questions? Need more information? Inquiries about accessibility needs?
CALL: 218-751-5447 / 800-275-5447 TEXT: 218-407-2507 EMAIL: staff@r2arts.org
Region 2 Arts Council Arts Access Grants are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund
R2AC Fellowship Nominations Open
Today Region 2 has opened their fellowship nominations early! Instead of having to wait until August 1st to send in your nominations, you can now send them in anytime between now and September 1st when the nomination process ends. A Region 2 Arts Council fellowship is awarded to two artists with a maximum award amount of $6,000. If you have any inquiries please reach a member of staff at staff@r2arts.org or call (218)751-5447.
Nominations Process:
We are seeking self and outside nominations for dedicated and experienced artists who meet our award criteria. If you are an artist or if you know an artist who should be considered for a Fellowship award, please drop off, email, mail, text, send through messenger, or call us with your nomination. You can also visit www.r2arts.org on the R2AC fellowship page to find the application online.
As part of the nomination, please include:
The artist’s name
Their contact information (active email and/or phone number)
Their county of residence (if known)
Their art form (musician, jeweler, composer, writer, actor, sculptor, poet, painter, dancer, filmmaker, etc.)
What makes them a great candidate
As the nominator, please include:
Your name
Your contact information (active email and/or phone number)
Whether you’d like to remain anonymous to the review committee
Whether you’d like to remain anonymous to the artist you’ve nominated
After nominations have closed R2AC staff will solicit the nominated artists for an Artist Statement, Work Samples, and an Artist Bio or Resume. Two Artist Fellows will be selected by the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors from the nominated artists.
The R2AC Fellowship Award is made possible the by generous support of the McKnight Foundation to provide unfettered funding to individual artists to fuel their art in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, and Lake of the Woods counties in Minnesota.
Welcome, Patrick Calder-Carriere!
Region 2 Arts Council has gone through a large change over the past few months. Laura Seter, the Executive Director for the past 13 years, has moved on to other adventures. As such, Region 2 would like to introduce members of the public to our new Executive Director, Patrick Calder-Carriere!
Patrick Calder-Carriere returned to the Bemidji area and joined the Region 2 Arts Council in July of 2024. He was a Professor of Theater, Creative Writing, and English in the Minnstate system for 2 decades. Patrick’s passion for the arts has led him to perform and study in Greece, Cyprus, China, Japan, Russia, and England. One highlight of his career is the 8 years he worked with the Thunderbird Theater at Haskell Indian Nations University where he witnessed how the arts bring together communities, celebrate culture, and create conversations. Patrick holds a Ph.D. in Dramatic History and Criticism and a Master’s degree in Theater/International Theater from the University of Kansas, a Master’s degree in English Literature/Composition from Minnesota State University – Mankato, and Bachelor’s degrees in Theater and Education from Bemidji State University, and Biology from Carleton College.
Join our Board!
WHAT DO WE DO?
Region 2 Arts Council fuels creative projects, celebrates artistic expression, opens doors, sparks ideas, reinforces existing networks, and offers new connections.
HOW DO WE APPROACH OUR WORK?
Our values of respect and responsiveness guide our decision-making; inclusivity and equity lead our efforts to make space for all; and curiosity ignites our imagination as we listen and learn from artists and the arts around us.
SERVING ON OUR BOARD
• Come curious and ready to engage openly, and embody our values
• Attend 2-3 hour monthly Board business meetings in person or via Zoom
• Promote healthy governance by asking questions and posing solutions
• Support advancement of R2AC’s equity, diversity, and inclusivity practices, policies, and initiatives
• Support the general improvement and alignment of R2AC practices and policies with
statewide mandates, needs in our region, and our values
• Ensure fiscal responsibility by gaining awareness and understanding of R2AC’s budget
• Participate on board committees
• Participate on grant review panels
• Be a site-evaluator for granted arts projects and programs
• Help staff spread the word about R2AC services and grants
• Attend arts events in your county and your community