🌳 June 2025 NDCA E-news: highlighting our ARTIST in RESIDENCE program - NOW OPEN for 2025-26

HUGE THANK YOU to NDCA Board member Kristy Zaste, Turtle Mountain Heritage Center Director Danielle Wilkie, Rolla Arts Council Director Becky Leonard, and many others who hosted NDCA Board and staff members for our spring Board meeting and community reception in Belcourt June 9-10. The two-day event included artist presentations, guided tours of culturally historic buildings and museums, and delicious food. It was wonderful to be together, networking with local artists and other community members, all with a common goal - to celebrate the arts in North Dakota! 

NDCA was honored to be a sponsor of the 2025 Government to Government (G2G) conference, June 4–5 in Bismarck. Thank you to Indian Affairs for hosting such a meaningful summit and to the Native artists who joined us to showcase their incredible work—from beadwork and quilts to music, paintings, and more. We are grateful for the opportunity to support and celebrate North Dakota's Native artistry and cultural contributions.

NDCA is exhibiting a unique collection of non-objective, mixed media artworks by Fargo artist Nancy Ness on the 18th, or observatory, floor of the ND State Capitol through August 2025. The exhibit includes approximately twenty one pieces, including acrylic paintings and mixed media artworks, most of which are named after important people in Ness' life.

In addition, a curated selection of ten framed works from the state’s permanent collection is on display in the Governor's Staff offices on the ground floor of the Capitol. The works span a range of media, including colored pencil, oil, acrylic, graphite, charcoal, digital print on canvas, etching with chine-collé, screenprint, and ink on gesso panel.

*Artwork on the left is titled "Celebration"

NDCA extends congratulations to the talented musicians from St. Mary’s Central High School and Davies High School who have been selected as the Governor’s Official State Band/Orchestra Program and Choral Program for the 2025-2026 school year. With their talent and passion for the arts, these students proudly represent their schools, communities, and all of North Dakota—it’s an honor to have them share their music with us.

Now through Labor Day, September 1, 2025, actively serving military members and their families have the opportunity to visit participating museums nationwide for free as part of the Blue Star Museums program. Additional information and a complete list of participating organizations are available at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.

Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the NEA and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS - North Dakota artists, organizations, and educational institutions are strongly encouraged to apply for NDCA's ongoing FY26 grant programs (project dates - July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026).

NOW OPEN:

• Community Arts Access (up to $4,000)
  • Round 2 Deadline: Sept. 4, 2025

**Applications due 6 weeks before event.

• **Professional Development (up to $1,000)
• **Special Projects (up to $1,500)
• **Artist in Residence (up to $3,000)
  • New for FY26: Increased funding of up to $3,000 per grant (previously $2,500)
  • Tiered match requirements:
    • Title 1 and/or 21st Century Schools: Up to 90% of the total project cost with a 10% cash match
    • Non-Title 1/Non-21st Century Schools: Up to 70% of the total project cost with a 30% cash match

Grand Forks Mural Project ($6,500 Budget; June 16)

The Downtown Development Association in Grand Forks is looking for artists interested in designing a vibrant and colorful mural that would invite public participation and/or serve as an ideal backdrop for photos. The mural would be located at the Franklin on 4th Building.

Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities ($3,000; July 10)

Arts Midwest is now accepting applications for the Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities! This $3,000 award supports accessibility in the arts and celebrates the work of disabled Midwestern visual artists from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Native Nations that share this geography. Mid-career 2D and 3D visual artists with disabilities are encourage to apply for this award.

2026 Native Performing Arts Live Production Grant ($30k, June 18)

This program supports Native-driven live performing events and performances. Eligible projects include original or re-adapted theatrical plays, music festivals, community performances, tours, and other live events—whether in person or virtual.

Levitt Music Series Grants (up to $120,000; June 30)

The Levitt Foundation is inviting proposals from U.S.-based nonprofits to present a Levitt Music Series in 2026, 2027 and 2028. These multi-year matching grants will activate underused public spaces, ensure access to the arts and strengthen the social fabric of communities through creative placemaking, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds through free, outdoor concert series.

Vilcek Foundation Grants (up to $20,000; June 30)

The Vilcek Foundation recognizes and celebrates immigrant contributions to the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. Nonprofit organizations whose mission and vision are aligned with the Vilcek Foundation are encouraged to apply.

Grants for Arts Projects (up to $100,000; July 10)

Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) provides funding for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector. Watch the Feb. 18 NEA webinar covering the FY 2026 updated (GAP) grant guidelines.

The Olga Kern International Piano Competition (June 15)

2025-2029 Public Artist Roster (Washington, June 17)

Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award (Native artists, June 18)

Spring 2025 Innovate Grant - call for visual art (June 26)

National Garden of American Heroes: Statues (July 1)