|
|
Fargo-Moorhead Spelemannslag member Gus Holley, sitting aboard a ship in Oslo, Norway
Welcome to NDCA's E-News, ND Council on the Arts' monthly newsletter including statewide & national news, time-sensitive opportunities, & upcoming events.
This JULY 2025 edition includes a story about Norway's bicentennial of immigration to America, celebrates 2025-26 grant recipients, announces a job opening, and much more!
|
|
 NDCA has awarded two Artist Growth and Development (AGD) grants, each in the amount of $5,000, to Sarah Beck (left) of Fargo and Callie Stadem (right) of Grand Forks. Eligible Disciplines for FY26 were Literature (Creative Writing) and Music (Composers and Sound Artists). Beck (writer) and Stadem (musician/composer) were recommended by an independent review panel whose selections were approved by NDCA’s Board of Directors. Their projects and all associated activities must be completed by June 30, 2026.
 The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, along with North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA), announced the selection of three artists for the 2025 Artist in Residency Program. This program aims to support North Dakota artists in creating art inspired by the beauty of the state parks.
 |
|
Our very own Jess Christy was featured on Prairie Public's Prairie Pulse! Watch and listen as she answers questions about NDCA, including our grants, programs, and our funding structure. Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned member, enjoy a cup of coffee or iced tea and learn something you maybe did not know about NDCA. |
 Join NDCA as a Public Art and Careers Coordinator through an AmeriCorps service opportunity! This flexible, part-time role (in-person, remote, or hybrid) is ideal for anyone passionate about public art, creative placemaking, and supporting artists’ professional growth. Help bring large-scale public artworks to rural communities, promote arts education, and assist in planning for America’s 250th celebration. A bachelor’s degree is ideal but not required—equivalent experience is welcome. Email resume and cover letter to Program Manager Tobias Zikmund tzikmund@nd.gov by July 22!
 |
|
NDCA is pleased to announce that the term of North Dakota Poet Laureate Dr. Denise Lajimodiere has been extended from two years to five, continuing through June 2028. Originally set to conclude in 2025, her appointment was extended to align with the newly established five-year term for the state troubadour position created by the 69th Legislative Assembly which concluded in April 2025.
An enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Dr. Lajimodiere is a poet, children’s book and academic author, retired professor, and cultural artist. “I’m so excited for the coming year,” she shared. “My goal is to travel to all four ND reservations and work with Native students to develop a poetry anthology.” Her current projects include a middle grade novel with Scholastic, a forthcoming poetry collection, and a new children’s book under consideration by Lee & Low Books.
|
Photo Caption:Â Dr. Lajimodiere gifting a copy of her book "Stringing Rosaries" to Leonard Peltier, a Wahpeton Boarding School survivor.
 North Dakota artists & organizations are invited to attend a FREE Online Grant-Writing Success Workshop on Tuesday, July 15 at 10:00am. Watch, listen, & ask questions as NDCA's Grants Program Manager & System Administrator offers tips and tricks to use when applying for NDCA grants. Any and all questions are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED!
|
|
 Celebrating ND's Norwegian Heritage
*By NDCA's Rhea Beto and ND Folklorist Troyd Geist
Norway marked the 200th anniversary of organized immigration to America this summer. A group of Fargo-Moorhead artists and the surrounding community played a meaningful role in the international celebration.
Gus Holley (above), member of the Fargo/Moorhead Spelemannslag—a traditional Hardanger fiddle group—performed in Oslo Harbor on July 4, 2025, and showcased a commemorative fiddle featuring an image of the historic ship Restauration, which launched the first wave of Norwegian emigration in 1825. With deep roots in North Dakota’s folk arts apprenticeship program, the group created the 2025 commemorative Hardanger fiddle using a collaborative process—uniting artistry, ancestry, community, and pride.
 |
|
The project reflects the enduring impact of Norwegian heritage across the state, a connection felt personally by North Dakota’s First Lady Kjersti Armstrong (left), who was born in Norway and says, “I recognize Norwegian culture in the way North Dakotans lead their lives. They are humble, hard working and have a strong sense of duty to community. Here, Norwegian heritage is not just remembered—it’s lived.” |
From a handcrafted troll fiddle to bridal marches played on a ship in Oslo Harbor, this celebration blends past and present in powerful ways. Read the full story to learn how North Dakotans are carrying Norwegian culture forward—one song, one carving, one generation at a time.
 Celebrating 22 Years of World Fest
Arts Midwest’s World Fest, which launched in 2003, brought global music and cultural exchange to rural and mid‑sized communities across the Midwest for 22 years, engaging over 750,000 people—including more than 550,000 youth—through week‑long artist residencies, school workshops, community events, and concerts.
The program’s final 2024–2025 cycle featured ensembles from around the world, including Jordanian vocalist Farah Siraj, who, in April 2025, delivered the last World Fest residency and final concert in Minot, where she performed alongside the community choir—marking the end of an era with a powerful cross‑cultural celebration. *Photo by: Sadie Lynn |
|
 |
|
|
Local ongoing and newly announced . . .
 |
|
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:
**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
|
For organizations, including new applicants:
 |
|
Grants for Arts Projects (up to $100,000; July 17)
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.
*Note: Our Town applicants now will apply within the GAP program and choose the “Our Town” discipline.Â
|
 |
|
Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes (up to $25,000; July 14)
The NEA will offer grants of $25,000 each (no cost share required) for arts projects in any discipline that celebrate the contributions to American history of one or more of the national heroes listed in Executive Order 13978 of January 18, 2021. Proposals will be accepted for works of art in a range of formats: plays, operas, literary arts, concerts, visual arts, museum exhibitions, etc. that honor these individuals.
|
For individual artists ONLY . . .
 |
|
Â
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.
|
*Send new opportunities and request changes to current listings by emailing Rhea Beto: rbeto@nd.gov.
|
|
NDCA Arts Activities, Events, and Workshops
-
NDCA Grant Writing Workshop (FREE online webinars)
- Tuesday, July 15, 10:00-11:00 a.m.Â
- Email lmccallum@nd.gov to request a zoom link
- Watch, listen, & ask questions as NDCA's Grants Program Manager & System Administrator offers tips and tricks to use when applying for NDCA grants.
-
Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability (LEAD) Conference
- August 18-22, Cleveland, OH
- LEAD introduces cultural accessibility solutions to those new to the field, as well as provides ongoing learning, support, camaraderie, and inspiration for anyone working to change the status quo.
 *Post or view YOUR upcoming arts events and exhibits on the ND Tourism website. For more information on how to post your event, visit the NDCA Calendar of Events web page.
Resources
|
|
|
|
|
  
 
 
  
​