Congrats Grant Recipients!
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) is excited to announce that on May 22, 2025, the ARAC Board approved $447,650 in grants to 50 individual artists and 52 organizations. Keep your eyes peeled for these inspiring projects to come to life!
Art project grant for individuals
$198,665 in Individual Artist Project Grants was awarded to 50 artists!
Awarded Applicants:
Anthony Anselmo, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to attend a writing workshop, market their work, and compensate for their time.
Karen Savage-Blue, Sawyer, Carlton, $4,000: Funding will support the artists to produce five new works of the Wild Rice lakes on the Fond du Lac Reservation.
Judy Nelson, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $4,000: Funding will support an artist stipend, funding for a copy editor, and attendance at a writer's workshop in Grand Marais, MN.
Cooper Ternes, Grand Marais, Cook, $4,000: Funding will support the artists to create 4 sets of 15 wooden bowls with and for local early childcare settings in their community.
Laura Sellner, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in creating a new music project.
Sister Veery, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to produce a full-length album and an album release show.
Bodhi Werner, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support a professional screenwriting mentorship and live table reading.
Ty Sheaffer, Grand Marais, Cook, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in producing and developing new basketry work, writing and illustrating a pamphlet on skeined willow basketry, and hosting two community basketry workshops.
Jayne Richards, Grand Marais, Cook, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in preparing their new art space in a local art shed space.
Clare Cooley, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the publication of an art book in three new formats and additional features.
Gina Drellack, Cohasset, Itasca, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in creating a manuscript through artistic development and community engagement.
Jenna Kowaleski, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to hire an editing reader to review the Ojibwe perspective in their novel manuscript, “Tourist Information.”
Christopher Crego, Hibbing, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the creation, framing, and promotion of 50 grayscale ink drawings and 4 oil paintings.
Nannette Montgomery, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to produce a collection of 36 poems, selected from poetry written over four decades.
Evan Flom, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the pre-production and production of a documentary.
Greg Mueller, Lutsen, Cook, $4,000: Funding will support the fabrication of a sculptural bench-swing for exhibition in Minnesota public spaces.
Mary Plaster, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the creation of a series of 12 Minnesota wildlife masks for use in public events.
Elizabeth Chatelain, Hibbing, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the production of “LØVSET'S MANOEUVRE,” a feature-length narrative film about a woman struggling with codependency.
Sandra Maxwell, Finland, Lake, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to participate in a solo exhibition at Tettegouche State Park.
Lynda Ferguson, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in receiving mentorship and creating a fiction novel.
Keith Hopkins, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the post-production of “Nerds Doing Good 2,” a documentary that explores the efforts of Duluth cosplayers to inspire positive change in their community.
DyAnne Korda, Ely, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in publishing a book consisting of a collection of 42 new poems.
Emily Gaarder, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in recording a singer-songwriter album.
Patrick Colvin, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support a concert of Baroque chamber works titled “Of Courts and Cathedrals” in September 2025.
Terrell Grier, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to produce “World of Music,” a project that uses music to inspire and uplift youth through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and community engagement.
Hadrian DeMaioribus, Duluth, St. Louis, $3,965: Funding will support the artist to prepare their manuscript for self-publication as an e-book.
Robert Lee, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to create a new performance piece created by local artists in collaboration with Hartley Nature Center.
The Draco Volans, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the production of The Draco Volans’ follow-up EP.
Cory Coffman, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in recording three singles.
Kelly Zhaawan Martinson, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the creation of a series of paintings showing Ojibwe culture and relationships.
Jane Shockley, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the Duluth Dance Union summer workshop.
Tiffany Quade, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to create a multimedia project featuring Indigenous Saami stories told through contemporary, multimedia animations about the Saami reawakening.
Nelia Harper, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in creating arts education access for rural artists through online education and engagement.
Ginger Juel, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in creating two public community murals.
Thomas Chapman, Angora, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to reproduce their art book and do speaking tours about the book.
Julia Nellessen, Lutsen, Cook, $2,750: Funding will support the artist to attend a Wood Kiln Build and Fire course at the Grand Marais Art Colony, and continue their work in ceramic arts.
Serenity Schoonover, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the creation of a painting for a permanent art installation.
Glenn Swanson, Carlton, Carlton, $4,000: Funding will support a photography project/exhibition that will highlight the lives and craftsmanship of 20 local artisans of diverse artistic and crafting disciplines, showcasing their skills, traditions, and the cultural significance of their hands at work.
Allen Killian-Moore, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in creating a new body of performance art, alt-process self-portraits, and short experimental film documents.
Deborah Barker, Hibbing, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in creating a series of barn quilts.
Henry Kneiszel, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in producing audio and visual versions of their performance projects to increase accessibility.
Mary Stafford, Carlton, Carlton, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in producing a new photography series in collaboration with community gardens and healing spaces in the artist’s community.
Kayli Staubus, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to produce small, free to the community, book binding class sessions.
Devan Burnett, Duluth, St. Louis, $3,940: Funding will support the creation of a small collection of chainstitch-embroidered representations of native plants.
Cole Perry, Coleraine, Itasca, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in completing the final draft of a book-length collection of poetry.
Big Shiv, Aitkin, Aitkin, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to produce a week-long collaboration to create music and share their lived experience.
Ashley Hise, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to incorporate the technique of sandblasting to create several ceramic sculptures.
Patti Wood, International Falls, Koochiching, $4,000: Funding will support the artist to work with a mentor to produce their script for a screenplay.
Thomlin Swan, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the facilitation of physical theatre training and a devised theatre process for 7 performers coming from non-theatre backgrounds to develop original, culturally-significant, site-responsive performance material for free public presentations in parks and historic sites
Kirsten Aune, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000: Funding will support the artist in creating new fabric designs and three large-scale wall hangings to be shown at an exhibition. The artist will also develop a free community fabric workshop.
Art project grant for organizations
$248,995 in Art Project Grants was awarded to 52 organizations!
Faith United Church of Christ (U.C.C.), International Falls, Koochiching, $5,000: Funding will support the Open Range Concert Series.
Lyric Center for the Arts, Virginia, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the Cultures, Humanities & Arts on the Iron Range Youth Theatre Education Program presents: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - High School Edition
Gunflint Trail Historical Society, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support the Art for Anishinaabe Exhibit at the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.
Borealis Chamber Artists, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support Borealis Chamber Artists’ Messiah Concerts & Community Singalong.
Agate Encores Concert Series, Moose Lake, Carlton, $4,500: Funding will support the Agate Encores Community Concert Series to host The Lake Wobegon Brass Band.
Matinee Musicale, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support Expanding Boundaries with ArcoStrum, a violin-guitar duo at a free school performance.
Duluth Folk School, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support six art shows at the Duluth Folk School.
Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, Cook, $3,700: Funding will support the musical entertainment at the Hovland Arts Festival.
Long Lake Conservation Foundation, Palisade, Aitkin, $5,000: Funding will support the Nature Art Village, an artist-led, vibrant space for the community to create and experience art.
Duluth All Souls Night, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the the creation of new puppets and other materials for the 18th annual Duluth All Souls Night.
23rd Veteran, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the 23rd Veteran’s Forge- Building Program to pay instructors and purchase materials.
Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Championships, Virginia, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the 43rd Annual Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Championships.
Carlton County Historical Society, Cloquet, Carlton, $1,265: Funding will support the Skally Line Music Day- A concert at the Carlton County Historical Society featuring compositions related to Minnesota history.
Denfeld Drama, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support Denfeld Drama’s technical arts summer intensive.
Itasca Life Options, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support a community event featuring arts, culture & accessibility.
YWCA Duluth, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the creation of a community mural.
Grand Rapids Players, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support the production of The Great Gatsby, adapted for the stage by Simon Levy.
Mines and Pines Revisited, Hibbing, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support marketing materials for the 2025 Mines and Pines Revisited.
Northern Expressions Arts Collective, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support a series of theatre classes to introduce and develop theatrical skills for young artists.
On the Record, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support On the Record’s 2nd anniversary celebration materials and entertainment.
Northern Lakes Arts Association, Ely, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support "Water 2.0", a Reflections Dance Company dance production exploring water issues in a changing world.
ROCKY WALL ENTERTAINMENT, Silver Bay, Lake, $5,000: Funding will support the 2025 Winter Concert Series.
Spirit of the Lake Community Arts, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the Apple Cider Festival and May Faire Festival community events.
Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support professional string instructors who will travel to area communities to present lecture demonstrations and introduce youth to various string instruments.
Lincoln Park Community Garden, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the community seeders mural.
Freshwater Dance Collective, Two Harbors, Lake, $5,000: Funding will support Dances on the Lakewalk, a festival of dance.
Good Harbor Hill Players, Grand Marais, Cook, $5,000: Funding will support an outdoor pageant, featuring large- and small-scale puppets and live music, celebrating the summer solstice.
Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 season events.
Fire in the Village, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support a youth arts day camp.
Ely Folk School, Ely, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the Creative Kids programming.
Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the 2026 Run Smelt Run Puppet Parade, including free workshops in parade arts.
Ely ArtWalk, Ely, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the 2026 Ely ArtWalk.
Lake Superior Youth Chorus, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support Summer Sing, a summer camp offering for youth in grades K-5.
Duluth Children's Museum, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the expansion of the Artful Explorations program.
Third Coast Chamber Collective, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support "It takes Five" - Summer Chamber Music Festival that will present five concerts featuring works for piano quintets in different accessible venues across Northern MN.
Finland Minnesota Historical Society, Finland, Lake, $5,000: Funding will support the production of The Tori Marketplace and Music Festival.
North Shorror, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the 2025 North Shorror, an eerie exhibition featuring regional artists of all kinds in celebration of the spookiest season.
Twin Ports Rosemaling Society, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support Scandinavian Folk Art and Entertainment at the 44th Annual Scandinavian Festival.
Nordic Center, Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the 3rd annual Duluth-stämman: Nordic Music & Dance Festival.
Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community, Carlton, Carlton, $5,000: Funding will support “Why We Love It Here,” a community art project to create an evolving tapestry of images and stories made by local artists
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA), Duluth, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support a trauma-informed art group exhibition.
Ernest C. Oberholtzer Foundation, Ranier, Koochiching, $4,340: Funding will support master classes on Mallard Island.
Community Action Duluth, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,940: Funding will support Community Action Duluth’s farmers market arts engagement.
Mesabi Community Orchestra d/b/a Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, Virginia, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the Christmas Pops Concert at Mesabi Symphony Orchestra.
Charitable Foundation of the Rotary Club of International Falls, International Falls, Koochiching, $4,250: Funding will support the creation of five historic murals through printed/electronic information and accessible electronic formats.
Aitkin County Friends of the Arts, Aitkin, Aitkin, $5,000: Funding will support amateur musicians to perform for local audiences on a professional stage.
Mesabi Musical Theatre, Gilbert, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support Mesabi Musical Theatre's presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Three performances will be held July 24-27, 2025, at the historic Hibbing High School Auditorium.
Oshki Ogimaag Charter School, Grand Portage, Cook, $4,000: Funding will support K-5 students to put on a play of traditional Ojibwe stories for the Grand Portage community.
Grand Rapids Arts, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $5,000: Funding will support the First Friday Summer Concert Series.
Two Harbors Pride, Two Harbors, Lake, $5,000: Funding will support the showcase of LGBTQ performers in a safe, friendly environment to help entertain, inform, and support all attendees at Two Harbors Pride.
Plein Air Duluth, Duluth, St. Louis, $2,000: Funding will support an on-water painting experience during Plein Air Duluth.
Lake Vermilion Cultural Center, Tower, St. Louis, $5,000: Funding will support the Laugh, Listen, Learn: 2025 LVCC Program Series.
