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Photo: Lollie Addair (standing) hugs her friend & Maryhill Manor (Enderlin, ND) resident Bonnie Daub (seated), who is holding artwork created through NDCA's Art for Life program.Â
Welcome to NDCA's E-News, ND Council on the Arts' monthly newsletter including statewide & national news, time-sensitive opportunities, & upcoming events.
Celebrate the power of the arts in our September 2025 E-News! From arts in education and eldercare facilities—like Maryhill Manor in Enderlin—to spotlighting accessibility and welcoming our new AmeriCorps member, Zoe Makin, there’s something for everyone. Plus, don’t miss new art exhibits at the Capitol and our Sept. 29 community reception in Fargo!
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NDCA is thrilled to welcome Zoe Makin, our AmeriCorps member staying through December 2025! As NDCA's Public Art & Careers Coordinator, Zoe will mostly be focused on our Arts Across the Prairie program.
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Zoe grew up in the art rich community of Lander Wyoming. She pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wyoming, during which she was a substitute teacher for the Albany County School district and discovered a love for education. Zoe went on to Illinois State University where she received her master's degree in art education. During that time, she worked with a nonprofit, the Illinois Art Station, where she developed arts programing for unserved communities and assisted in grant writing. |
Zoe currently lives in Minot, with her husband, four daughters, and four cats. She continues to maintain an active art practice, the subject of which often features her children and her experience of motherhood.
September 14–20, 2025 is National Arts in Education Week — a time to celebrate the transformative power of the arts in every child’s life. Established by Congress in 2010, this week affirms what we know to be true: the arts build creativity, strengthen problem-solving, and fuel thriving communities. |
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“Creativity in the classroom is as essential to a child’s development as nutrition, rest, and exercise,” says NDCA’s Arts in Education Director Matthew Anderson. “Arts education fuels their ability to learn, connect with their community, and grow into thoughtful, capable adults.”
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NDCA’s Artist in Residence (AIR) program offers up to $3,000 in noncompetitive grant support to bring professional artists into North Dakota classrooms, after-school, or summer programs. While many applicants select from NDCA’s roster of approved teaching artists, they are also welcome to propose their own. Notably, the roster now includes Lexy Liu (left), a traditional Chinese dance instructor, who is available to work with students across the state. |
Planning is underway for the 2025–26 Poetry Out Loud program! Interested schools and educational organizations should check the ND POL webpage for updates and registration details.
Finally, CITYarts is looking for North Dakota schools or organizations to host a free 45–60 minute Pieces for Peace initiative, where students ages 12–20 create 6x6-inch artworks in response to the question: “What does peace look like to me?” These artworks will be considered for inclusion in a national mosaic peace wall in Washington, DC, as well as CITYarts’ online and traveling exhibitions. Interested schools are invited to review the Fact Sheet, FAQs, and Introductory Packet.Â
NDCA has awarded $119,500.00 in grants through its Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program for Fiscal Year 2026, which runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This year’s funding supports 68 artists in 36 communities, including 18 towns with fewer than 1,500 residents. The program is designed to honor and encourage the preservation of North Dakota’s diverse living traditions by providing funds to allow master traditional artists to pass their skills and knowledge to apprentices. |
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Photo: Master artist Joan Varty (left) taught Norwegian Rosemaling to apprentice Jenny Lock (right), both of Minot, FY25
NDCA is exhibiting Dakota Territory, a collection of mixed media on canvas by Harvey, ND artist Chris Wakefield, on the 18th floor (observatory level) of the ND State Capitol through December 2025. The exhibition features 30 artworks that reflect Wakefield’s personal observations and experiences in both North and South Dakota. “This show represents just a small cross section of my observations during my time here in the Dakota Territory,” Wakefield notes. “It’s a portrayal of the beauty, wonder, romanticism, risk, danger, mystery, hope, and heartache all woven into the tapestry of this once very wild place.”
 In addition, a selection of nature photography by Bismarck-based artist Jill Edinger is also on display in the Governor’s Staff offices on the ground floor of the Capitol. Edinger’s work highlights the subtle beauty of North Dakota’s natural environment. “Photography is about slowing down and really seeing what’s around us,” she explains. “I’m drawn to those small, often overlooked moments in nature—a bird taking flight, the light hitting a field just right, a deer pausing to listen.” Please stop into the Governor's Office on the first floor to request a viewing.
 The 2025 LEAD (Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability) Conference, held August 19–22 in Cleveland, OH, brought together arts leaders, accessibility advocates, and teaching artists from across the country to share best practices and inspire inclusive innovation. Representing NDCA, Rhea Beto, Public Information Officer and Accessibility Coordinator, and Jess Christy, Executive Director, attended the conference to deepen NDCA’s commitment to accessibility in the arts. Christy said, "The LEAD conference explores accessibility in the arts – addressing not just physical needs but every sensory experience. By deepening this understanding, we can better serve our communities and expand arts opportunities for our citizens."
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NDCA-supported teaching artist Taryn Johnson of Northern Plains Dance participated in the ED at LEAD pre-conference, thanks in part to a Professional Development grant. ED at LEAD provides arts-based, accessible instructional strategies for PreK-12 students with disabilities.
Reflecting on her experience, Taryn shared, “Attending my first ED at LEAD conference was an incredible opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. I attended the dance-focused professional development sessions and had the opportunity to connect with peers and exchange ideas and experiences around curriculum and class programming. It was energizing to be part of such a thoughtful, engaged community and I enjoyed meeting so many teaching artists who share my passion.”
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Photo – Taryn (light blue sweatshirt), Joan Meggitt (presenter), and John (seated) creating a movement phrase in the Dance for Parkinson’s: Best Practices seminar.
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 Art for Life: Creativity, Connection, and Care at Maryhill Manor in Enderlin, ND
In Enderlin, ND, residents of Maryhill Manor are experiencing the health and wellness benefits of NDCA’s Art for Life Program. With guidance from artists like Pieper Bloomquist (above), elders are not only painting vibrant works of art—they’re reconnecting with memories, building relationships, and finding renewed purpose. One resident, after painting a farm scene, began sharing childhood stories his family had never heard. Another, once reluctant to leave bed, now eagerly joins group activities.
As Art for Life Program Coordinator Lollie Adair writes in the facility’s FY25 final report, “These stories, paired with documentation from activity staff and nursing, reflect the broader impact of the program—not just as a leisure activity, but as a therapeutic intervention promoting dignity, connection, and wellness.” From improved mood and reduced anxiety to a community-built wheelchair-accessible fishing dock inspired by an art session, the program’s ripple effects are both personal and profound.
Jane Gaffrey of West Fargo Receives 2025 Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities
Arts Midwest has announced that Jane Gaffrey of West Fargo, North Dakota, is one of nine recipients of the 2025 Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities.
This prestigious award supports accessibility in the arts and celebrates the exceptional contributions of disabled Midwestern visual artists. Each awardee receives $3,000 in unrestricted support to continue their artistic journey.
Jane's artist statement incudes: "My goals are to continue to express life experiences and the hope that shines even if only as a tiny speck of light in difficult circumstances. I would like to continue to learn in the area of art quilting and expand to other media. In addition I hope to be able to use my art to help parents grieving the loss of a child and children and families facing life-threatening illness."
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*Jane Gaffrey artwork above: Nanna’s Daffodils (2024). Fiber art.
Local Motives (Minot) and Dakota West Arts Council (Bismarck) are both in the running to bring free, outdoor Levitt Music Series concerts to their communities. Vote daily from Sept 5–15 to help bring live music to North Dakota!
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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 - 6 weeks prior to planned activities - for NDCA's ongoing FY26 grant programs (project dates: July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026).
NOW OPEN:
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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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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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ND250 Commission Community Initiative Grants
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 will be awarded until funds are exhausted.
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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ND Teen Takeover Program (Dec. 5, 2025)
ND teens are invited to submit original artwork interpreting the theme “What will North Dakota look like 250 years in the future?” Finalists’ work will be showcased in spring 2026 at the ND Heritage Center & State Museum, and one grand champion will receive $150. There is no entry fee.
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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 . . .
 The Bush Fellowship is a self-directed leadership development program that supports individuals who are ready to take their leadership to the next level. Open to residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations that share this geography, applicants must be at least 24 years old and have lived in the region for at least one continuous year before applying.
Each year, up to 30 Bush Fellows are selected to receive up to $150,000 over two years to pursue a personalized plan that builds their leadership capacity. Fellows are changemakers—people who make things happen—and the Fellowship provides them with the time and resources to grow in ways that will make a lasting impact. Applications for the 2026 Bush Fellowship opened on September 2, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
*Send new opportunities and request changes to current listings by emailing Rhea Beto: rbeto@nd.gov.
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NEA / NDCA Arts Activities, Events, and Workshops
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2025 NEA National Heritage Fellowships Awards Ceremony
- Wednesday, Sept. 17, 4:30 p.m. (Livestream)
- NDCA Fall Board Meeting & Community Reception
- Monday, Sept. 29, in Fargo, ND
- Tuesday, Sept. 30, in Kindred, ND
- Board Meeting at Kindred Middle school approx. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Â
NDCA-Sponsored Activities, Events, and Workshops
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Hazel movie by Director Dan Bielinski, Canticle Productions
- Showing in movie theatres across ND
- Sept. 26-Oct. 18
- The beautiful, tragic North Dakota story of Hazel Miner adapted to a feature film
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Is your event partially funded by NDCA? Email information to Rhea Beto <rbeto@nd.gov> by the 1st of each month if you would like to be included in this new section of the e-news.
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 *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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