PARK RAPIDS — It is always nice to get recognition for the work it takes to run an art center. Getting recognition on a national level confirms it's doing something special.
That happened to the Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids when it was named one of the spring 2025 grant recipients from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. It is a multiyear program grant of $60,000 to help fund exhibits.
The Nemeth Art Center is a small organization with a budget under $200,000. That can limit certain funding at the state and federal level, Executive Director Mark Weiler said on Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show. He said there also aren't many organizations helping art centers cover the costs of paying artists to create — instead, grants are often focused on building repairs or other capital needs.
That’s where the Andy Warhol Foundation comes in. It was founded with the idea of supporting risk-takers and artists and fostering creative innovation across the arts. The grants are funded by the endowment created from Andy Warhol’s assets and revenue from licensing and sales.
The foundation aims to support underserved rural areas that provide programming for kids and adults, with a specific interest in providing support for artists. They prop up places helping artists do experimental work and providing platforms to display that work. That’s something the Nemeth is known for.
Weiler said the foundation was also looking for places at least 5 years old (the Nemeth is 15), with a history of successful exhibitions and programming. The Nemeth demonstrated its increase in audiences and volunteers, and the number of artists welcomed into the Park Rapids community.
“I think that that's what separated us from some of the other competition, is that we had a very clear narrative of what we've done in the past, what we're trying to do in our area, and also doing it at a high level that provides access to a rural community," Weiler said.
The grant is divided across two years. In 2025, it funded two exhibitions.
The first was with Minneapolis sculptor Nate Young. Funds helped Young create a large-scale sculpture he dreamed of for 10 years. The grant helped pay for transportation, materials and Young’s residency at Two Inlets.
Young creates pieces exploring the systems and objects that impacts one's beliefs, according to biographies of the artist. He works across sculpture, drawing and installations. He often works with empty spaces, which played a big role in his piece at the Nemeth Art Center.
The second exhibit featured multiple artists, and the grant helped fund their transportation, materials, and stipends.
Weiler said he expects a strong 2026 for the center, with an exhibition planned in the spring and one in the summer/fall.
Multimedia artists John Fleischer from Minneapolis and Rosemary Holliday Hall from California will be part of the first, and both artists will stay in the area April through July.
“They're not just coming, showing their work and taking off," Weiler said. "They're becoming a part of the community, living and seeing the growth that happens — especially in spring in Minnesota — and reacting to that.”
Another goal for Weiler this year is to work with the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to help the art center become a "cultural nexus" for the city. He wants it to not only be a home for education and art, but also a place for conversations and music.
In Two Inlets, the center will also host tiny garage concerts, bringing in musicians to play and spend the weekend in the area.
The grant a huge boost for the Nemeth, not only financially, but also for recognition, Weiler said.
“I think it contributes to an outstanding reputation of providing very special programming, bringing important artists and then doing good work when they're here.”
People can follow upcoming events and exhibits at the Nemeth Art Center through their website.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
