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Performers from the youth-focused production of Winnie-the-Pooh pose in front of the West Fargo mural. Through a CAA grant, this Theatre for Young Audiences series brought live performances to parks and public spaces across the Fargo area.
Welcome to NDCA's E-News, ND Council on the Arts' monthly newsletter including statewide & national news, time-sensitive opportunities, & upcoming events.
This AUGUST 2025 edition highlights NDCA's Community Arts Access grant program - summarizing the FY25 CAA projects and announcing FY26 Round 1 grant recipients, celebrates ND folk artists whose work will be featured nationally, and much more!
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NDCA announces the first round of Community Arts Access (CAA) grant recipients for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). A total of $54,610 was awarded to 15 organizations across ND to support a variety of projects including performances, exhibitions, murals, concerts, and more.Â
Applications for Round 2 are due by Sept. 4, 2025.
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*More grant announcements coming soon!
 
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Region 6 Arts Across the Prairie Stakeholders selected the icon (left) that will be used to represent their proposed public art project by artist James Culleton (above). The installation will be located on a plot of land on the border of Stutsman and Logan Counties, near Gackle, ND. It's in the midst of prairie potholes on a crest with views of nearby surroundings.
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 Community Arts Access Grant Program Promotes Arts Appreciation throughout ND
*By NDCA Program Manager/Grants System Administrator Lisa McCallum
In fiscal year 2025, NDCA’s Community Arts Access (CAA) grant program awarded $96,219 to 28 organizations supporting a variety of concerts, festivals, mural projects, exhibits, theater performances, and other public arts activities—each bringing arts appreciation to communities across North Dakota.
The CAA program offers up to $4000 in funding to organizations for community arts events and projects. The goals of the program are to encourage groups to enhance the quality of arts activities, expand audiences, and build arts capacity, and to promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts throughout the state.
NDCA has offered the Community Arts Access grant for more than 30 years. In the past 10 years alone, NDCA has awarded $578,804 to CAA recipients in both urban and rural communities. Since 2021, NDCA has distributed CAA grants to 47 organizations, expanding arts opportunities in 25 communities across the state.
 ND Artists Rick and Connie Whittier Selected for Major Smithsonian Exhibition Showcasing American Craft
Acclaimed Lidgerwood, ND artists Rick and Connie Whittier, known nationally for their hand-carved and painted spearfish decoys, will be featured in a landmark exhibition titled State Fairs: Growing American Craft at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s branch location for contemporary craft in Washington, D.C. The exhibition will be on view August 22, 2025 through September 7, 2026. |
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Coinciding with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the exhibition surveys American state fairs’ extraordinary and unconventional crafts from the nineteenth century to the present. The Whittiers were selected to represent North Dakota for their masterful artistry and deep-rooted connection to regional traditions of fishing and woodcarving.
Minot’s Union Silos Mural Currently Underway; Makes International Headlines
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International media are spotlighting a bold transformation in downtown Minot—AP News has featured the Union Silos mural as a global story. Australian artist Guido van Helten is painting North Dakota's largest mural on the four sides of the 1950s‑era grain silos, after immersing himself in local stories and culture for months.
At 135 feet tall, the artwork draws on themes of land, ranching, Native American heritage and open-space identity, all rendered with long-lasting mineral silicate paint. The design remains under wraps—but as painting continues through the summer, it’s already drawing applause and interest from international audiences. Completion is anticipated in fall 2025.
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Local ongoing and newly announced . . .
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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.
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**Professional Development (up to $1,000)
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**Special Projects (up to $1,500)
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**Artist in Residence (up to $3,000)
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New for FY26: Increased funding of up to $3,000 per grant (previously $2,500)
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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
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ND Tourism & Community Grants (up to $500,000; Sept. 1)
North Dakota communities can now apply for the 2025 Tourism and Community Enhancement Grants, helping turn local ideas into big opportunities.
Funding is available for:
- Restoring historic theaters and opera houses
- Upgrading rural community halls
- Supporting state magazine publications
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ND250 Commission launches Community Initiative Grants to celebrate nation’s 250th anniversary (up to $10,000; Oct. 1)
The ND250 Commission is offering Community Initiative Grants of up to $10,000 to support events and projects commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Grants are available to non-profit organizations, as well as city, county, or tribal governments, for projects related to the celebration of the past 250 years of North Dakota’s people, places, innovations, and achievements contributing to the nation’s story during America’s 250th anniversary.
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For organizations, including new applicants:
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Arts Midwest GIG Fund grants (up to $15,000; Sept. 15)
GIG Fund grants of up to $15,000 help Midwestern 501c3 non-profit organizations & tribal nations bring professional artists into their communities to host creative, engaging public activities. This year, there are two tracks: GIG Fund and GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness. A mandatory Intent to Apply is due September 15, 2025, with final applications due September 29, 2025.
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For individual artists ONLY . . .
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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.
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*Send new opportunities and request changes to current listings by emailing Rhea Beto: rbeto@nd.gov.
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NDCA Arts Activities, Events, and Workshops
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Artists in Residency at North Dakota Parks
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Ashley Nelson at Cross Ranch State Park
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Two 1-hour Creative Sessions with Ashley
- Saturday, August 9, 10-11am and 6-7pm
- Explore the beauty of the natural world through creative expression. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just curious, these sessions are for all ages and skill levels!
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Sabrina Hornung at Turtle River State Park
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Hammer It Out: The Leather Tooling and Creative Process
- Friday, August 15th, 2025, 8pm at the Amphitheater
- Sabrina will present on the tooled leather process and creative process and touch a little on the history of the craft, while also showing examples of her work and talking about the things that inspire her.
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The Proof is in the Leather: Intro to Leather Tooling
- Saturday, August 16th, 2025 at the Amphitheater 3-4pm, 4:30-5:30pm, or 6-7pm
- Students ages 8 and up will make a tooled leather keychain that they can take home with them. They will learn how to proof their leather with water and sponges, transfer a pattern, and carve the pattern into the leather with a swivel knife. Then they will dye the pieces and use finishing tools to make their design a success.Â
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Registration is required as space is limited!
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshop hosted by ILT Academy
- Monday, August 25, 12:30pm-4:00pm at the ND Heritage Center
- Light lunch will be provided
- High-energy, 3-hour Idea Accelerator Workshop designed to help local leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators turn ideas into action. Whether you’re just getting started or refining an existing concept, this workshop delivers practical tools, expert coaching, and serious-fun collaboration!
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Register EARLY, only 50 spots available – Native American community especially encouraged to attend!
- Sponsored by the ND Department of Commerce, with Key Partners
ND Indian Affairs and ND Community Services
 *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
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