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Devils Lake middle school students hold up their acrylic paintings on rough cut wood rounds, created at Lake Region Arts Center, spring 2025; (see News/Stories below)
Welcome to NDCA's E-News, ND Council on the Arts' monthly newsletter including statewide & national news, time-sensitive opportunities, and upcoming events.
This April 2026 edition announces NDCA's newest staff member Kiera Fox, highlights the final deadlines for NDCA's FY27 grant program applications, features an after-school program fostering creativity and community in Devils Lake, and much more!
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NDCA welcomes Kiera Fox as Operations Administrator
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Kiera is an interdisciplinary artist and an enrolled member of the MHA Nation, with family roots in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, the Southern Cheyenne Tribe, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community. With an AFA in Studio Arts and a BFA in Indigenous Liberal Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Kiera has worked in education, the arts, tourism, and cultural programs, and serves on the boards of the Plains Art Museum and the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance. She’s excited to support and connect with artists and communities across North Dakota. |
 FINAL CALL for NDCA's FY27 ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAMS!
A majority of the grant programs offered by NDCA are only open for applications once a year and that door is beginning to close. These grants provide funding to artists and organizations for a variety of projects and opportunities, including arts in education, accessibility, folk arts, and arts-related activities and events of all sizes.
Applications are now being accepted, with funding decisions dependent on panel review in May and approval by the NDCA Board at its June 2026 meeting. Visit our Grants at a Glance webpage to learn more and APPLY!
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HELP US cheer on ND Champion Aspen Geist of Wyndmere Public School as she competes against 54 other students in the 21st Annual Poetry Out Loud® (POL) National Finals in Washington, DC, April 28-29, 2026.
Aspen will perform in the semifinals during the 8:00 a.m. CDT round on April 28. The top three students from all three semifinal rounds will advance to the National Finals on April 29, starting at 6:00 p.m. CDT. The semifinals and finals will take place at George Washington University and will be available through a one-time only webcast at Arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud.
A total of $50,000 in prizes and organizational stipends will be awarded, including $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively for 1st-3rd place.
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 *Teaching Artist Cheryl Peterson showing Devils Lake middle school students how to make snakes from bottle caps
Devils Lake After-School Arts Program Fosters Creativity
By contributing editor Anna Paige
Middle school students in Devils Lake are just a short walk away from artistic exploration at the Lake Region Arts Center, where an after-school arts program has brought together students and community members to make art.
“When you put art supplies with a child, it opens up a whole new world for them to be creative and feel good about themselves,” said teaching artist Cheryl Peterson, who has been with the program since its start last winter and is now the primary educator for the afterschool program. “It’s like opening up a book and finding yourself in another place – and art can do that to your brain, too.”
The 2026 program began in February and takes place weekly through April, open to students grades 5 - 8 enrolled in 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ after-school care. It is supported by the Northeast Education Services Cooperative and NDCA.
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North Dakota is home to two 2025 Bush Fellows - Jason Grueneich (Bismarck) & Richard Pallay III (Fargo). Their 24 month fellowships recognize bold leaders shaping a stronger, more inclusive region. We’re proud to celebrate these ND leaders & the impact they continue to make. |
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Local ongoing and newly announced . . .
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NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS - NDCA invites artists, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions across the state to apply for funding through its *Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) grant programs. With opportunities ranging from artist development to community arts initiatives, NDCA’s grants help sustain & expand North Dakota’s vibrant creative sector.
**Artists and organizations are encouraged to apply for more than one program based on needs and eligibility.
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Upcoming FY27 Program Deadlines (project dates - *July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027):
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Medora Musical Painting Contest (Apr. 10)
The winning artist will paint a live mural in Medora during the opening week of the Medora Musical. This year’s theme, “Musical Patriotism,” celebrates the Medora Musical’s iconic tribute to American pride through music, performance, and the stunning ND Badlands.
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ND Parks/NDCA 2026 Artist in Residence (Apr. 24)
North Dakota artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Artist in Residence Program, a unique opportunity to create work while engaging visitors in hands‑on arts experiences within three State Parks. Selected artists receive a stipend, onsite lodging, and promotional support in exchange for providing public programs and donating an artwork created during their residency. To apply, click the link under the QR Code on the flyer.
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Bis-Man Earth Day - Recycled Art Contest (Apr. 28)
The 18th Annual Bis-Man Earth Day Festival invites local artists to create artwork that represents renewal, growth, or new beginnings using recycled or reclaimed materials. Art contest submissions need to be dropped off at the Bismarck Event Center between 12:00-4:00pm on Tuesday, April 28 - the day of the festival.
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Bush Prize: North Dakota - 2 grants of $250,000 each (April 30)
The Bush Prize celebrates organizations that are highly valued within their communities and have a track record of successful community problem solving. Bush Prize grants are flexible and can be used to build reserves, test a big idea or for anything else that would best support the organization’s ongoing good work. Learn more by watching the recorded live webinar.
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Artist Call: Art & Heritage Discovery Trail (May 1)
The city of Bismarck is seeking creators to provide digital local literary, visual, performance, or other creative media to be shared via QR codes on semi‑permanent signs throughout the city. Twenty pieces will be shared digitally, with one visual work serving as the background for all signs.
Funded by the ND250 Community Initiatives Grant Fund, the project commemorates the nation’s anniversary. Each artwork will include a narrative and an interpretation of how it reflects ND’s people, places, innovations, & achievements over the past centuries.
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For organizations, including new applicants:
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2026 Vilcek Foundation Grants (April 30)
Mission-driven nonprofit organizations that have a specific focus on supporting immigrants in the arts, sciences, education, or through the provision of social services are invited to apply. The ideal grant recipient creates outputs, provides services, or serves populations in an innovative way that sets them apart from other organizations.
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NEA Grants for Arts Projects (July 9, 2026)
The National Endowment for the Arts is now accepting applications for its Grants for Arts Projects program, offering $10,000–$100,000 (up to $150,000 for Local Arts Agencies) with a required 1:1 match. Eligible U.S. nonprofits, government entities, and tribal groups across disciplines like arts education, music, theater, visual and media arts, and more, can apply.
Funding supports projects beginning June 1, 2027 and may cover up to two years of activity.
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For individual artists ONLY . . .
*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 Arts Midwest Webinar Series: Strategic, Creative Growth for Arts Organizations
- (Past) Wednesday, April 8, 3:00 p.m. - build strategic partnerships
- Wednesday, April 15, 3:00 p.m. - create engaging social media video content
- Wednesday, April 22, 3:00 p.m. - plan for leadership transitions with confidence
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Can’t attend live? All sessions will be recorded and shared with registered attendees, then added to the Arts Midwest website.
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2026 POL National Finals - celebrating America's 250th
- April 28-29 at George Washington University, Washington, DC, and available through a one-time only webcast at Arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud
- Cheer on 2026 ND State Champion Aspen Geist!
NDCA-Sponsored Activities, Events, and Workshops
North Central
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Minot Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 100th Season Finale
- Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 p.m. at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, MSU, Minot
- MSO will present Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in concert featuring Klaus Badelt & Hans Zimmer’s score performed live to the film.
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Northeast
South Central
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Dakota Stage presents Bright Star
- May 7-9, 14-16 at 7:30 p.m.
- May 10, 17 at 2:00 p.m.
- Dakota Stage in Bismarck
- Bright Star is a musical written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. It is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in 1945–46 with flashbacks to 1923.
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Theo Art School Summer Camps
- May 18 - August 14, 2026
- 1810 Schafer St., Bismarck
- Week-long camps for children in preschool, grade school, and middle school.
- Camps provide an engaging exploration into the world of art and creativity through various multimedia activities.
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Live Streaming (ONLY)
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ND State Historical Society Calendar of Events - Many arts events and activities, often featuring NDCA grantees, are happening at venues all across North Dakota. April events include Bead Buddies (Pembina), Timeless Traditions: Rag Rugs (Bismarck), and Fibers and Friends (Williston) all taking place on April 11, followed by Spiral Suncatchers in Bismarck on April 25. A Pine Needle Art Workshop follows shortly after on May 2 in Washburn. |
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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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