R2AC/McKnight Career Development Fellowships Are Awarded

Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) recently awarded $12,000 through the R2AC/McKnight Career Development Fellowship Program. This 18-month fellowship provides the opportunity for career development experiences that will add depth and advancement to the artistic career of established artists in all disciplines. The R2AC/McKnight Career Development Fellowship is funded by the McKnight Foundation.

The recipients and information about their fellowship activities are listed below:

Cate Belleveau, of Puposky, a local writer, actor, director, teacher and founder of the Mask and Rose Women’s Theater Collective, was awarded $6,000 to attend the Network of Ensemble Theater’s National Summit and Dell’Arte International’s Summer Workshops. Her focus will be on physical theater, theater in a rural setting, and storytelling by using stories drawn from and shared by the community. She will create a local ensemble theater group to utilize these new skills and ideas that will perform at Belle Thalia Creative Arts Space.

Kathy Gustafson, of Bemidji, a local painter, sculptor, artist career counselor for Springboard for the Arts and member of Studio Ten, was awarded $6,000 to incorporate metals such as stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass and aluminum into her sculptures. Her plan includes working with other local sculptors to learn hot metal/forging techniques and methods of applying patinas and finishes. Her Fellowship will result in a new body of work intended for public display.

Applications for these grants are 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 download the applications from our website, http//r2arts.org.