MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) has awarded $89,557 in grants to foster artistic projects and initiatives throughout the region. The funds, approved by the SMAC board on December 17th, were distributed to 14 organizations, one school, and one student artist.

Art Project Grants (Up to $7,000 each):

  1. City of Buffalo Lake: $7,000 for a historical mural at the Buffalo Lake Community Center, created by artist Lili Lennox with community input.
  2. Dakota Wicohan, Morton: $6,990 for a 12-week adult quilt-making workshop in spring 2025, focusing on Dakota lifeways and traditions.
  3. FungusAmongus Players, Dassel: $7,000 for a production of Annie in July 2025.
  4. Hutchinson Center for the Arts: $3,430 for a 2025 exhibition series featuring emerging artists, a youth art show, and work by artists with disabilities or mental health challenges.
  5. Kerkhoven Arts Council: $7,000 for a summer youth theater program culminating in Beauty & the Beast, Jr. during the Kerkhoven Town and Country Days festival.
  6. Minnesota Pottery Festival, Hutchinson: $7,000 for the 2025 pottery festival showcasing 35–40 potters from across the country.
  7. Prairie Arts Continuum, Windom: $7,000 for a community theater production of The Addams Family.
  8. RiverSong Music Festival, Hutchinson: $7,000 for a two-day music festival in July 2025.
  9. Sunburg Community Music: $7,000 for a five-day music camp offering instruction on fiddle/violin, guitar, mandolin, bass, ukulele, and an early childhood music program.
  10. Calumet Players, Pipestone: $7,000 for a production of Honk: The Musical in June 2025.
  11. Tyler Arts Council: $7,000 for a production of Bye, Bye Birdie and a children’s theater camp in summer 2025.
  12. Willmar Area Arts Council: $3,575 for an artist studio tour, “Willmar Studio Hop,” in Kandiyohi County in June 2025.
  13. Worthington International Festival: $3,143 for a July 2025 event featuring cultural performances, food vendors, artisan booths, and immigrant storytelling.

Quick Support Grants (Up to $2,500 each):

  1. Dakota Wicohan, Morton: $2,500 for monthly artmaking classes for participants in the Koska youth leadership program, focusing on creating ceremony regalia.
  2. Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, Marshall: $2,443 to purchase musician chairs and a transport cart.

Arts in Schools Grant (Up to $4,000):

  • Lakeview Public School, Cottonwood: $3,976 for fifth-grade students to build and learn to play one-stringed dulcimers with Ross Sutter.

Youth Art Study Opportunity Grant (Up to $500):

  • Paityn Wolf, Willmar: $500 for weekly piano lessons with teacher Megan Gilles.