Region 2 Arts Council Awards $6,170 in Grants

This spring Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) awarded $6,465 through the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Program. Monies awarded are for arts activities related to its mission of supporting, maintaining, and promoting traditional and contemporary Native American arts in North Central Minnesota. The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative grants program is supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation. Current AAI Council members are Tom Buckanaga, Mary Guardipee, Douglas Lee, Genny Lowry, Bernice Mitchell, Debra Warren, Delina White, and Harold "Dunesy" White, Jr.. The grant recipients and information about their projects are listed below.

Duane Goodwin received $1,000 to purchase stone carving rock to continue his work as a sculptor.

Debra A. Hawthorne was awarded $1,000 to make hand-sewn Anishinaabe-themed bags to show and sell.

Joseph J. Allen, received $1,000 to purchase equipment and supplies to promote and sell his photographs at the Twin Cities American Indian Art Festival and the Powderhorn Art Fair.

Laurie May, was awarded $1,000 to expand her knowledge and practice of appliqué Ojibwe floral art on regalia.

Doreen Anne Wells, received $719 to purchase a computer to use in creation of a web site to promote and sell her various forms art including beading, fiber art, and pottery.

Elaine Flemming, was awarded $918 to write a visual theater piece using mixed media.

Celia Littlecreek, received $533 to purchase clay, glaze and other materials to create, display, promote and sell her pottery at Bemidji Art in the Park and to submit her work for exhibition in the “It’s Only Clay” juried show.

Next deadline for other grants available: Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants, deadline, August 16, 2011.

Applications for these grants will be available in the Region 2 Arts Council Office, 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN 56601, or call the Region 2 Arts Council office at 751-5447 or 1-800-275-5447 or see the applications and download them at our website http//r2arts.org.