The Region 2 Arts Council announced the winners of several grant awards.
Two $6,000 Artist Fellowship grants went to Kent Estey, a contemporary Native American artist, and Miriam Brack Webber, a bassoonist.
This grant received eight applications and the winners were chosen by a committee.
Nearly $51,000 in Arts Access Grants were awarded throughout the region to fund the creation and production of accessible art activities.
Six awards were granted to organizations in Bemidji, with awards also going to Bagley, Baudette and Park Rapids.
The Watermark Art Center in Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to present the touring exhibit The Unchosen Ones and accompanying series, Out to Pasture, including an artist presentation and workshop, by photographer R.J. Kern.
Headwaters Music & Arts in Bemidji was awarded $3,575 to offer several performances featuring harpist Nicolas Carter, as well as a workshop for harpists on Improvising with Latin American Rhythms.
The Bemidji Symphony Orchestra was awarded $6,000 to present the Living Landscapes concert, and a companion children’s concert, with guest artist Dr. Hannah Porter Occeña performing Joseph Kern’s Shenandoah Variations for flute and orchestra.
The City of Bemidji Parks & Recreation Department was awarded $5,375 to host a Summer Theater Day Camp for youth in partnership with Bemidji Community Theater.
Lake of the Woods Art Guild in Baudette was awarded $5,991 to provide a series of workshops featuring Native American sewing projects with Teresa McDowell and Cynthia Hamilton.
Bemidji Community Theater was awarded $6,000 to set up a recording studio to enhance their theater offerings through live stream capabilities and broadcast opportunities for video and podcasting, as well as to hire community mentors to provide training in the use of these new capabilities.
The Northern Artist Association in Bemidji was awarded $5,811 to offer free art classes and workshops to community members at Gallery North in Bemidji.
The Bagley Area Arts Collaborative was awarded $6,000 to host a performance by the Okee Dokee Brothers as part of the City of Bagley’s 125th anniversary celebration.
The Northern Light Opera Company in Park Rapids was awarded $6,000 to mount a production of its 21st Summer Musical.
