Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Place & Setting
January 29, 2025
6 – 8 p.m.
This free creative writing session is for beginners and those who’d like a refresher. We’ll discuss and practice strategies to make the places we write about (fictional or real) come alive on the page.
Art Project Grant for Individuals & Organizations Available
The Art Project Grant for Individuals and for Organizations is now available!
Art Project Grant for Individuals
This grant provides funding up to $4000 to any adult artists, in any arts discipline at any stage of their career.
Art Project Grant for Organizations
The Art Project program provides funding of up to $5,000 to support relevant, meaningful arts activities with value to the community your organization serves.
The deadline to apply for these grants is March 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
The Little Match Girl Passion
Come experience a captivating performance of David Lang's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, "The Little Match Girl Passion." This innovative work reimagines the heartbreaking Hans Christian Andersen story through a contemporary lens. Lang weaves together elements of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, creating a powerful connection between the suffering of the young match girl and the sacrifice of Jesus in Christianity. Prepare to be moved by this evocative composition along with works by Johannes Brahms and Taylor Scott Davis.
Funding for this project comes from the Individual Artist Equity Grant.
Tickets: $25
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Scene, Summary, and Flashback
February 12, 2025
6-8 p.m.
This free creative writing session is for beginners and those who’d like a refresher. We’ll discuss and practice strategies to effectively write scenes, summaries, and flashbacks in our fiction and nonfiction.
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed Monday, January 17, 2025 in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Please email info@aracouncil.org with any questions and our team will get back to you as soon as we can.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Figurative Language, Sensory Imagery, and More!
February 19, 2025
6-8 p.m.
Readers love variety, especially at the sentence level. In this fast-paced session for beginning writers and those who’d like a refresher, we'll have fun with similes, metaphors, personification, sensory imagery, idioms, and more. Come prepared to imitate, generate, and captivate!
Art Night Out: Ellen Sandbeck and Tali Margolin
Public event, all are welcome! Gather in the galleries to learn from on-view artists Ellen Sandbeck and Tali Margolin at this double reception and artist talk that will explore, through two artists' perspectives, the human habitat.
Uncover the stories behind the wildlife featured in As Long as The Rivers Shall Run, and take part in conversation about the role humans play in our changing natural landscape. Then, explore the more psychological, autobiographical notion of home featured in Navigating Moments. Snacks, beverages, and portable in-gallery seating provided.
ARAC Board Meeting
ARAC business meetings and orientation are scheduled on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All business meetings take place over Zoom and are conducted in the spirit of the Open Meeting Law. Prior to each board meeting, board members receive important materials related to decisions and discussions for the meeting which can include financials, staff reports, panel funding recommendations, and any other items that require Board action.
All board meeting dates are open to the public unless otherwise stated. Meetings are held electronically.
To receive login information please email info@aracouncil.org
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Real People & Fictional Characters
March 5, 2025
6-8 p.m.
How can you present real people and fictional characters in your writing that will engage readers? We'll practice direct and indirect methods of characterization, along with significant details that will help your characters come alive on the page.
Art Project Grant for Individuals and Organizations Deadline
Today, March 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline for the Art Project Grant for Individuals and for Organizations!
Art Project Grant for Individuals
This grant provides funding up to $4000 to any adult artists, in any arts discipline at any stage of their career.
Art Project Grant for Organizations
The Art Project program provides funding of up to $5,000 to support relevant, meaningful arts activities with value to the community your organization serves.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Starting Your Screenplay
April 2 2025
6-8 p.m.
Have a great idea for a movie, but don’t know where to start? Then this session is for you! Absolute beginners welcome for this basic introduction to loglines, outlines, action lines, and all things screenplay.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Writer’s Block
May 7, 2025
6-8 p.m.
Are the ideas in your head not making it onto the page? Beginners and experienced writers are most welcome to this session of prompts and blockbusters to help launch your writing. We’ll go over the writing process like sculptors – gathering our clay (words) and building it into forms (stories).
ARAC Board Meeting
ARAC business meetings and orientation are scheduled on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All business meetings take place over Zoom and are conducted in the spirit of the Open Meeting Law. Prior to each board meeting, board members receive important materials related to decisions and discussions for the meeting which can include financials, staff reports, panel funding recommendations, and any other items that require Board action.
All board meeting dates are open to the public unless otherwise stated. Meetings are held electronically.
To receive login information please email info@aracouncil.org
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed May 26, 2025 in observance of Memorial Day.
Please email info@aracouncil.org with any questions while we’re away.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing Pride Edition: Writing Your Coming Out Story Time
June 14, 2025
6-8 p.m.
Like the coming-of-age story, the coming out story is about the journey from who we once were to who we’ve now become. Through examples and writing prompts, we’ll outline our own coming out stories and identify significant events that have shaped our journeys.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Funny Stuff
July 9, 2025
6-8 p.m.
A frequent criticism of “serious” literature is that it is often humorless, with a narrow emotional range that begins with ennui and ends in despair. If you want to write with a broad emotional range, this session is for you. We'll read story excerpts that ably mix comedy with heartbreak, and absurdity with terror, as we work towards convincingly adding humor to our own writing.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Point of View
September 10, 2025
6-8 p.m.
Point of view (POV) is often a question of camera angle (Wide shots or close-ups?) and access (How many characters’ thoughts can we and should we present to the reader?). You'll also want to consider reliability, objectivity, distance, and audience. We'll review the different types of POVs and their variations, and exercises will let you experiment with different forms to learn which one is the best POV for your novel or short story.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Personal Essay
September 10, 2025
6-8 p.m.
The personal essay shares with readers an interesting, thought-provoking, entertaining, and/or funny experience you’ve had. We’ll identify essay topics by making lists (e.g., hobbies, interests, passions, jobs, places you’ve lived or visited, turning points in your life, and issues you care about). Once you’ve identified your topic, we’ll look at structures to frame your personal essay.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Personal Essay
November 12, 2025
6-8 p.m.
We'll examine different models for plotting your novel, including the three-act structure, the five part structure, and the “W” method. Come prepared for user-friendly and low-pressure exercises on each model. You will leave this session with a basic outline for your novel idea.
Free Creative Writing Session with Brian Malloy
Creative Writing: Novel Subplots
November 19, 2025
6-8 p.m.
A novel’s subplot is a smaller story that runs parallel to the main story. Subplots can raise the stakes, add complexity, explore your novel’s theme from different angles, and create obstacles to resolving the main plot. We’ll look at examples of successful subplots from famous works, and try our hands at outlining subplots thematically linked to our novels’ main plots.
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
MLK Day March
January 20th at 10:30 AM
Family Freedom Center Gym (310 N. 1st Ace. W., Duluth)
MLK Day Rally
January 20th at noon
DECC Symphony Hall (350 Harbor Dr., Duluth)
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed today (1/14/2025) for our staff retreat.
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed today (1/13/2025) for our staff retreat.
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed today (12/27/2024) for our winter break.
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed today (12/26/2024) for our winter break.
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed today (12/23/2024) for our winter break.
Origami Club
Join us for Origami Club! Led by Origami Todd Olson. Beginners and advanced folders are welcome. Help Studio Cafe make 1000 paper cranes to hang in the shop.
Take It With You: Season 8
Take It With You: Season 8
Join us for 4 new episodes of this hour-long, originally scripted, live radio theater podcast complete with versatile voice actors, all original music, and foley sound effects, performed in front of a studio audience.
September 24th
October 22nd
November 19th
December 17th
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
Table for One - Zine Release
Table for One is a seasonal culinary zine, focusing on one ingredient or dish. It will share recipes, explore the history, and apply context for the ways the item impacts our lives today.
Our first four issues (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter respectively) will cover Ramen, and how it impacted events related to World War II, Tomatoes, and their unusual journey across the world, Oysters, and the unique way they influenced a blossoming American colony, and Potatoes, and the way they have influenced populations across the entire world for centuries.
Boubville - DIY Light & Music Festival
Boubville is a DIY Light & Music Festival in Duluth from Dec. 12–14!
Lineup:
Dec. 12
Theme: NEON KNIGHTS
Family Night is dedicated to the next generation. A festival of light is a great place to build a brighter future. This night will also feature kid friendly activities and entertainment, including ARAC funded Music Resource Center - Kid Rockers!
Youth Lineup
6:30 Lavender Rain
7:00 Kids Kitchen
7:30 Joy & Melancholy
8:00 Brainwashed
8:30 Rocking Rodents
Dec. 13
Friday the 13th Theme: CREEPY XMAS
6:30 Mara Lovejoy
7:30 Shading The Sun
8:30 Whispered The Rabbit
9:30 The Quilz
Dec. 14
Saturday Theme: SPARKLES
6:30 Yonder
7:30 Anatomy of Ruminants
8:30 Paul Cerar
9:30 Magenta Vice
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
Boubville - DIY Light & Music Festival
Boubville is a DIY Light & Music Festival in Duluth from Dec. 12–14!
Lineup:
Dec. 12
Theme: NEON KNIGHTS
Family Night is dedicated to the next generation. A festival of light is a great place to build a brighter future. This night will also feature kid friendly activities and entertainment, including ARAC funded Music Resource Center - Kid Rockers!
Youth Lineup
6:30 Lavender Rain
7:00 Kids Kitchen
7:30 Joy & Melancholy
8:00 Brainwashed
8:30 Rocking Rodents
Dec. 13
Friday the 13th Theme: CREEPY XMAS
6:30 Mara Lovejoy
7:30 Shading The Sun
8:30 Whispered The Rabbit
9:30 The Quilz
Dec. 14
Saturday Theme: SPARKLES
6:30 Yonder
7:30 Anatomy of Ruminants
8:30 Paul Cerar
9:30 Magenta Vice
Origami Club
Join us for Origami Club! Led by Origami Todd Olson. Beginners and advanced folders are welcome. Help Studio Cafe make 1000 paper cranes to hang in the shop.
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
Boubville - DIY Light & Music Festival
Boubville is a DIY Light & Music Festival in Duluth from Dec. 12–14!
Lineup:
Dec. 12
Theme: NEON KNIGHTS
Family Night is dedicated to the next generation. A festival of light is a great place to build a brighter future. This night will also feature kid friendly activities and entertainment, including ARAC funded Music Resource Center - Kid Rockers!
Youth Lineup
6:30 Lavender Rain
7:00 Kids Kitchen
7:30 Joy & Melancholy
8:00 Brainwashed
8:30 Rocking Rodents
Dec. 13
Friday the 13th Theme: CREEPY XMAS
6:30 Mara Lovejoy
7:30 Shading The Sun
8:30 Whispered The Rabbit
9:30 The Quilz
Dec. 14
Saturday Theme: SPARKLES
6:30 Yonder
7:30 Anatomy of Ruminants
8:30 Paul Cerar
9:30 Magenta Vice
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
The Shorts in Winter Film Festival
The Shorts in Winter Film Festival is an exclusively North Shore Resident submitted short film festival in Two Harbors, MN.
2024 is the inaugural year for Shorts in Winter. With this in mind, we look to make this as inclusive as possible with a wide range of applicants and content. Our focus is to provide a new type of community event for Lake County, where yes, we really do have people wearing shorts in winter.
A Goblin's Christmas Carol
The Encore! theater will be hosting a gallery show from December 6th until January 13th with featured artist Linnaea Borealis Rose. A Goblins' Christmas Carol theatrical act will show on four nights alongside the gallery venue. With illustrated watercolor works of the fairy tale sort, Linnaea's opening reception will be held at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery at 6pm-7pm on December 6th. Guests are invited to visit with the featured artist and other accompanying artists, showcasing works in the fairy tale spirit. In the joy of a collaborative spirit, guests are invited to add art of their own art on a blank frame on Linnaea's wall. They can doodle their own goblins or fanciful characters within it. Beverages and snacks are provided. A Goblins' Christmas Carol show will begin at 7pm, guests are invited to stay and enjoy the musical.
Gallery viewing is free, and tickets for the theater can be purchased at: https://countyseattheater.com/2024-season/
Origami Club
Join us for Origami Club! Led by Origami Todd Olson. Beginners and advanced folders are welcome. Help Studio Cafe make 1000 paper cranes to hang in the shop.
Rita Bergstedt Art Opening "Dreamscapes"
Rita Bergstedt’s new show titled “Dreamscapes” featuring new encaustic paintings will open at the Zeitgeist on Wednesday, December 4 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Hovland Arts Festival
The Hovland Arts Festival hosts a unique array of artists in the Hovland Town Hall where visitors will find fiber arts, digital art, ceramics, painting, photography, and other fine arts and crafts. There will also be frybread and soups available!
ARAC Office Closed
ARAC’s office will be closed on 11/28/2024 and 11/29/2024 for Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day.
Winterers' Gathering & Arctic Film Festival
Winter is the longest and most defining season in the North. With snowy days and dark nights, this season is a time both for outdoor adventure and for gathering to share traditions, meals, and stories.
The Winterers’ Gathering & Arctic Film Festival celebrates the crafts, customs, history, and stories that have been inspired by winter. Featuring winter-centric coursework, a winter tent camp, gear sale, film festival, speakers, and more, this is a classic event to welcome the start of the chilliest season.
The 2024 Winterers’ Gathering will welcome special guest instructor Niilá Omma to teach a knifemaking course. Niilá is a duojár, a traditional Sámi craftsman, from Skellefteå, Sweden. He uses mainly reindeer antler and birch to make knives, cups, boxes, jewelry and other traditional items, and sells his work in Sweden and internationally. This is his first visit to North House Folk School.
ARAC Grantee Alex Blust will give a presentation titled “Handmade Shoes: Lasted Bootmaking” on Saturday, November 23, at 1 p.m.