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Area Voices: R2AC Arts Expo

The Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC)provides support, connections and granting opportunities to artists, arts organizations and nonprofits seeking to fund art projects.  The R2AC serves Beltrami, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen and Hubbard counties, counties which brought in a combined $14 million to the region via arts activities in 2016 according to the recent Creative MNdata.  In an effort to build community and connections around art, R2AC is hosting their third annual Arts Expothis Saturday in Bemidji.   The event will take place from 10am - 4pm and offers many opportunities for education and networking.  The event is free and attendees have opportunities to wach artists demonstrate rosemaling, crafting mittens and creating porcupine quill medallions.  Artists are invited to attend  professional development workshops dedicated to building an artist's business, creating resumes, self publishing and much more.  Live music and snacks will be provided.  

We spoke with Kathryn Gonzalez, Program Assistant for the Region 2 Arts Council,  who discussed the event, how the R2AC supports the region and the Arts Access Grant for Small Towns that supports up to $6,000 of a project in communities with a population of less than 2,000. Wendell Affield, a Bemidji area author, discussed self publishind and the workshop he will be conducting at the Expo, and Joanna Schnelder, Executive Director of the MN Theater Alliance, spoke about the meeting she will facilitate at the Arts Expo.  

Everyone is welcome to attend this event that takes place at the Northwest Indian Development Center located at Bemidji Ave N in Bemidji.  

Katie Carter started at Northern Community Radio in 2008 as Managing Editor of the station's grant-funded, online news experiment Northern Community Internet. She returned for a second stint in 2016-23. She produced Area Voices showcasing the arts, culture, and history stories of northern Minnesota.