NDCA’s Community Arts Access grant offers funding to organizations and fiscally sponsored groups for a variety of community activities and events, including exhibitions, festivals, mural projects, and performances. The grant exists to encourage groups to enhance the quality of arts programming and expand audiences in both urban and rural areas. The grant also seeks to promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts in the state. Here is a rundown of many 2023-2024 Community Arts Access grantees who received up to $4,000 in arts activity support for their events.
- At the 32nd Annual Missouri River Bluegrass Festival, audience members enjoyed listening to bluegrass bands and joining in jam sessions. The festival was “remarkably successful” with over 600 attendees, Linda Schwartz said.
The Friends of Lindaas Barn held its 34th Annual Barn Dance near Mayville. An average of eighty people attended each dance, an increase of 20% in the past year due to “a renewed interest in this art form and its appeal to a broader audience,” Luther Simley noted. Families and college students are now regulars along with couples who have attended for many years. “We teach anyone who would like to learn. We do our best to make sure everyone has fun,” Simley added.
- The 41st Annual Children’s Summer Musical in Cando was “a great success,” said Mindy Reimer. The musical is an opportunity for local children to participate in an art-centered activity and “experience the thrill of being on stage” as well as learning to memorize lines, songs, and choreography, Reimer added.
- University Park Neighborhoods organized a mural and fire hydrant painting project in north Grand Forks. Over fifty residents participated in the events. These beautification activities have been a “huge success” and have led to “many wonderful results,” including the increase in community participation, empowerment of neighborhood residents, and collaboration with the City and other local entities, Renee Cardarelle said.
- At Duck Fest in Bowdon, an art show and contest included artwork in several disciplines by entrants of all ages. Anne West noted that people enjoyed seeing the art created by their community members, some of whom they didn’t know were artists.
- During the 10th Annual Santa Run, a winter race in Bismarck, the nationally recognized Team North Dakota sculpted a ten-foot jogging Santa Claus by the Heritage Center. David Reich said, “It was rewarding to combine humanities, social services, and arts together to make a positive impact” on the community.
Writers and readers gathered at the University of North Dakota’s 55th Annual UND Writers Conference in Grand Forks. Almost 900 people attended the free literary festival, which included readings, panel discussions, and creative writing workshops.
- Long X Arts Foundation sponsored the McKenzie County Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Art Show in conjunction with the North Dakota Rodeo Finals in Watford City. The Western-themed event offered musical performances, readings, and art demonstrations along with art exhibits. All of the events were well-attended, Jessie Veeder Scofield noted, and many art vendors reported that it was one of their best shows.
- Wells County Fair in Fessenden offered Free Stage performances for the 29th year. According to Laurel Wentz, “The community benefits with the Free Stages at the Fair bringing a wide variety of talents to the stage.” Entertainment included singers, bands, a whistling tunes musician, and a glass blowing artist.
- Badlands Opera Project performed operas and concerts in Dickinson and surrounding cities. The turnout was strong and feedback was “very positive,” said Chandra McClelland. “We are still a young company, and it makes a huge difference to have a group of people who are excited to audition, attend, and offer their support.”
- The Grand Forks Children’s Museum sponsored a ‘Welcome’ sign interactive mural during its Full Steam Ahead event. Led by Adam and Hanna Kemp, the project provided community members—many of them children—with a hands-on painting experience.
Minot State University’s Native American Cultural Center held its 34th Annual Spring Honor Dance and Powwow Celebration. Attendees increased 25% over the previous year, Annette Mennem reported. Dancers, singers, drummers, and craft vendors all contributed to the success of the event.
- The Red River Valley Woodcarvers put on its Red River Valley Wood Arts Festival in Fargo. The 600-plus attendees took woodcarving classes and made connections with other woodcarvers, making for “a great feeling of accomplishment” for the club, Rhonda Smith added.
- For its 7th season, the North Dakota Shakespeare Festival in Grand Forks presented “The Tempest.” Stephanie Murry said the ‘Will Week’ of free performances “allowed nearly 1,000 theater-lovers to attend.”
As these 2023-2024 projects demonstrate, the Community Arts Access grant offers funding for a variety of community activities. From art shows to barn dances, murals to music festivals, NDCA’s Community Arts Access grant helps make many of these events possible in North Dakota.
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*Community Arts Access applicant organizations must be located in North Dakota and have the majority of their arts programming, services, and activities take place within the state. An educational element may be included as part of the project. Learn more about the Community Arts Access grant.
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North Dakota Council on the Arts is a state agency funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.