The Bemidji Anishinaabe Arts Expo - "A Celebration of Indigenous Arts"

We are excited to announce 4-Directions Development has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host an Arts Festival in the City of Bemidji! The core partners for this project consist of the three reservations of Leech Lake, Red Lake, White Earth and the City of Bemidji. This project will create open markets for Native artists while preparing the artists to be successful and sustainable within those markets. When Native artists are successful with their art form, it promotes the continuity of Indigenous knowledge and prevents endangered art forms from being lost.

The festival will create opportunities for cultural exchange and appreciation that will connect Native and non-Native community members, increase intercultural knowledge, help eliminate existing stereotypes and showcase Native art forms as an integral part of Minnesota history and economy.

The Committee consists of the core partners, art organizations, local artists and community members. The Project Committee meets every third Wednesday in Bemdiji. We are actively searching for artists and community members to be a part of this project and serve on the committee.

We are also looking for experienced artists to serve as Mentors to these new and upcoming artists. The project will be choosing a cohort of 12 Native artists to receive training, technical assistance and access to financial support to prepare for participation with various art events to expand their market.

This new art festival is called "The Bemidji Anishinaabe Arts Expo, A Celebration of Indigenous Arts" and is scheduled for its debut on July 9th & 10th, 2021 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. This event will be marketed Nationwide! If you would like to be involved or would like more information on this exciting new festival, you can reach Rhiannnon Barrett, NEA Lead Coordinator at (218) 210-0125 (local Red Lake, MN number) or rbarrett@4directionsrl.org.

The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that funds, promotes and strengthens the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation.