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Photo: Fiber artist Jane Gaffrey carefully affixes a label to her latest quilt, "Nanna’s Daffodils" while Norman, a feline companion, is eager to assist.
Welcome to NDCA's E-News, ND Council on the Arts' monthly newsletter including statewide & national news, time-sensitive opportunities, & upcoming events.
This October Arts & Humanities Month 2025 edition features an inspiring story about Jane Gaffrey’s journey from physician to fiber artist & her path to healing; includes highlights from the fall board meeting; spotlights new grant announcements; celebrates the latest ND Music Hall of Fame inductees; showcases a brand-new events section that lists programs, activities, and workshops partially supported by NDCA; and much more!
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 Photo: NDCA Board Members standing in front of a new mural in Kindred completed by local residents, under the direction of artist Eric A. Johnson
 During NDCA’s two-day fall Board meeting in Fargo and Kindred—which included committee reports, staff updates and presentations, strategic planning, budget reports, and grant program discussions—Board and Staff toured the Plains Art Museum and the Kindred middle school, stopped to see the newly unveiled Kindred mural, and connected with local community members during an art reception at Dakota Fine Art in Fargo.
As part of the meeting, NDCA Executive Director Jess Christy gave a presentation that included a graphic (below) highlighting NDCA's 25–27 Projected Grant Impact. It showed that during the next biennium, NDCA expects to give out over 400 grants, award more than $2.3 million, reach 80 cities and 45 counties, and have over 1.5 million visits or interactions with grant projects.
 After the 2-day event, Christy noted, it was “great to connect and hear about some wonderful projects and initiatives.” She also thanked “the Kindred Area Arts Partnership for giving us a tour and introduction to their dedicated effort in expanding the arts opportunities in their community,” adding, “the mural is fantastic—shout out to Eric Johnson!” and expressed appreciation to “the Plains for the wonderful tour of their space.”
This celebration of creativity and community came at the perfect time—October is National Arts and Humanities Month, a nationwide recognition of the vital role the arts play in our lives. NDCA is proud to be part of this movement and remains committed to expanding access to the arts across North Dakota.
 While the approved list of anthologies has yet to be released, North Dakota schools and educational institutions are encouraged to register for the 2025–26 Poetry Out Loud program by November 28, 2025. The national Poetry Out Loud website is currently under construction but will update soon with the approved list of anthologies.
This national initiative, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and state arts agencies, helps high school students engage with poetry through memorization and recitation. Students begin at the classroom or local level, with top performers advancing to regional, state, and national competitions.
The 2026 North Dakota State Finals will be held in Bismarck on February 23, and the state champion will compete at the National Finals in Washington, D.C., April 27–29, 2026.
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NDCA has awarded $59,982 through its Arts in Education Collaboration (AIEC) Grants for FY 2026, supporting nine projects that expand access to high-quality arts education for K–12 students across the state.
The AIEC program provides up to $6,000 per project to schools, nonprofits, and government agencies to foster community partnerships and integrate the arts into core learning.
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 From Physician to Artist: Jane Gaffrey’s Journey of Healing, Hope, and Creative Resilience
This October, in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re spotlighting West Fargo artist and former child psychiatrist Jane Gaffrey—one of nine recipients of the 2025 Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities. After being diagnosed with a rare neurological condition and undergoing a life-saving bone marrow transplant, Jane turned to fiber art as a way to process, heal, and connect. Her award-winning quilt, Nanna’s Daffodils (above), inspired by a childhood photo in her grandmother’s garden, is a vibrant tribute to memory, resilience, and the power of creative expression. |
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Jane’s story is one of transformation—from physician to artist, from patient to storyteller. Through her work, she explores themes of grief, recovery, and hope, often stitching together personal experiences with broader messages of light in dark places. Her art is not only a reflection of her journey but also a gift to others navigating illness and loss.
Roxanne C. Henry Laducer Receives 2025 Midwest Culture Bearers Award
Arts Midwest has named Roxanne C. Henry Laducer of Rolette, North Dakota as one of nine recipients of the 2025 Midwest Culture Bearers Award.
This annual honor celebrates Midwestern folk artists and cultural practitioners who keep traditions alive through craft, poetry, dance, visual arts, and more. Each awardee receives $5,000 in recognition of their artistry, cultural preservation, and dedication to teaching the next generation.
A member of the Bear Clan of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Roxanne crafts dreamcatchers rooted in Ojibwe tradition. “To me, the Dreamcatcher is a spiritual symbol of great love,” she says. “Making the Dreamcatcher has guided me into learning more of my culture and heritage.”
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Roxanne now teaches and shares her work at schools, cultural centers, and art galleries across North Dakota. “I feel honored that I am able to share the knowledge I have gained and keep such a tradition going.”
ND Troubadour Chuck Suchy Inducted into North Dakota Music Hall of Fame
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North Dakota’s own musical storyteller, Chuck Suchy, has been inducted into the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. Known for his heartfelt songwriting and deep connection to the prairie, Suchy joins a distinguished group of artists recognized for shaping the state’s musical legacy.
Suchy will be performing at the ND 250 Kick Off event on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 2) at the ND Heritage Center.
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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 (until funds are exhausted):
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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 - I Voted Sticker Design Contest (Nov. 15)
North Dakota residents of all ages are invited to submit original artwork for the state’s official “I Voted” sticker. The winning design will be featured at polling places statewide. The selected artist will be honored by Secretary of State Michael Howe and will be recognized in a statewide press release.
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ND Teen Takeover Program (Dec. 5)
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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The Shubert Foundation Inc. Grants (Dec. 4 & Dec. 11)
The Shubert Foundation Inc. is the nation’s largest funder dedicated to unrestricted funding of not-for-profit theatres and dance companies. General operating support grants of $15,000 or more are awarded to professional organizations that have an established track record as well as a history of fiscal responsibility.
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For individual artists ONLY . . .
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Programs for Young Artists with Disabilities . . .
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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 / Partner Arts Activities, Events, & Workshops
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FREE Webinar series: How Arts Orgs can Navigate through Risk & Change
- Wednesdays starting at 1:30 p.m. CT by Arts Midwest (regional arts agency)
- Oct. 22: Managing in the Midst of Change: Creative Approaches
- Oct. 29: Surviving the Storm: Risk Management for Nonprofits
- Nov. 5: The Cloud Ate My Homework: Building an Archive for Digital Materials
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ND 250 Kick Off Event on North Dakota Statehood Day
- Sunday, Nov. 2, 1:00 p.m. at ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
- Enjoy live entertainment, including John Dobmeier (Theodore Roosevelt re-enactor) and ND Troubadour Chuck Suchy!
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North Dakota Native Heritage Showcase
- Friday, Nov. 21, at ND State Capitol in Bismarck
- NDCA is partnering with ND Indian Affairs Commission
- More information coming soon
NDCA-Sponsored Activities, Events, and Workshops
Northwest
North Central
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Northeast
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South Central
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Southeast
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Fargo Moorhead Opera's La Traviata
- At NDSU Challey School of Music, Festival Hall in Fargo
- Friday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26, 2:00 p.m.
- Special visiting artist performance at International Dinner event at Spaghetti Western on Sunday, October 12 in downtown Fargo
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- Fargo-Moorhead (FM) Symphony Presents:
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- Fargo-Moorhead (FM) Symphony continued . . .
Live Streaming (ONLY)
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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 (above) of the e-news.
- If your event is NOT sponsored by NDCA, you are invited to post the information on the ND Tourism website (example image below). For more information on how to post your event, visit the NDCA Calendar of Events web page.
Resources
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