MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) has awarded $74,244 in grant funding to support arts initiatives across the region. The funding was approved on February 25 and distributed among local organizations, schools, and individual artists.
Six organizations received a total of $56,268 through SMAC’s Equipment & Facilities Improvement grants. These grants provide up to $10,000 per recipient to enhance their capacity to serve the arts community.
AMP (Arts & Mentoring Project) in Pipestone was awarded $8,466 to purchase portable dance barres, mirrors, and dance flooring for its introductory dance program.
The Pipestone Performing Arts Center received $9,533 to upgrade its sound system, including repairing input dashboards, re-engineering the sound booth, and installing a new PA system.
The Prairie Arts Continuum in Windom was awarded $10,000 to replace and install rechargeable wireless microphones with headsets.
Redwood Area Arts received $10,000 for improvements such as a new display background, pedestals, shelves, lighting, folding chairs, and tables, as well as a cell phone for video and photography purposes.
West Central Connection Barbershop Chorus in Willmar secured $9,318 to purchase new microphones, amplifiers, and a mixer to enhance their performances.
The Yes! House in Granite Falls received $9,951 to install professional-grade audio equipment, transforming its venue into a high-quality resource for artists.
Three organizations were awarded a total of $7,500 in Quick Support grants, which help fund small arts-related projects and initiatives.
2B CONTINUED in Glencoe received $2,500 to host two mental health toolbox workshops that integrate visual arts with coping resources for individuals in crisis.
The Barn Theatre in Willmar was granted $2,500 to update its employee handbook with the help of a human resources company.
The Granite Falls Living at Home Block Nurse Program was awarded $2,500 for an intergenerational storytelling project, where elders share their stories, and teens transform them into digital art, audio, and video content under the guidance of local artists. The project will produce live storytelling events with interactive displays.
Two schools were awarded a total of $6,726 to enhance arts education.
Cedar Mountain Schools in Morgan received $2,726 to host a multi-school art conference featuring artists Don Sherman, who specializes in papermaking and nature drawing, and Nathan Maliscke, who focuses on portraits and murals.
Ellsworth Public School was awarded $4,000 to bring in Dakota Players for a theater residency, where students in grades 3-8 will perform “You Look Marvelous,” a play inspired by “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” The residency will also include community workshops.
Three artists were each awarded $1,000 through SMAC’s Quick Support for Individual Artists grants.
Justin Beck of Hutchinson received funding to upgrade to a Nikon Z mirrorless camera system, which will allow him to capture higher-resolution images, improve zoom capabilities, and enhance night photography.
Rachel Kepler of Montevideo was granted funds to purchase glazes and clay, enabling her to refine her pottery style by incorporating hand-built details into wheel-thrown functional pieces.
Meredith Semel of Ortonville received funding to produce stained-glass artwork depicting native plant and animal species from the tallgrass prairie, which will be displayed in the Ortonville and Graceville public libraries.
All SMAC grants are reviewed by panels and approved by the SMAC board. Those interested in applying for future grants or serving as panelists can visit www.swmnarts.org for more information.
