Ron West chats with Michele Anderson, Rural Program Director of Springboard for the Arts (based in Fergus Falls, MN).
Springboard for the Arts is an economic and community development organization for artists and by artists. Their work is about building stronger communities, neighborhoods, and economies, and they believe that artists are an important leverage point in that work. Springboard for the Arts’ mission is to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting artists with the skills, information, and services they need to make a living and a life.

Their work is about creating communities and artists that have a reciprocal relationship, where artists are key contributors to community issues and are visible and valued for the impact they create. They do this work by creating simple, practical solutions and systems to support artists. Those programs support their goal to help create a local culture movement.

Debbie Aune of Gatzke, Minnesota has a current display of artwork at the NWMAC Gallery in downtown East Grand Forks, MN. The exhibit “Midwest Grain”, is a collection of watercolor paintings by Aune, which feature familiar landmarks to all of us living in northwest Minnesota: grain elevators. A longtime artist of Gatzke, Minnesota, Debbie grew up on a small farm in northern Minnesota, and recalls her early fascination with these historical structures.

Sheila Smith, Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and the Chair of Creative Minnesota discusses Arts Advocacy Day (March 6th at the state legislature) and the mission and work of Creative Minnesota. Sheila will also be speaking at the NWMAC Arts Expo; her talk will be held on April 28th in Thief River Falls. Sheila also promoted a current art display at the NWMAC River Walk Artists Gallery in downtown East Grand Forks, MN. The work of northwest Minnesota artist Debbie Aune is currently on display at the gallery and will be part of the “Art & Wine Walk” in downtown East Grand Forks. A reception for Aune will be held on February 24th at the gallery and is open to the public.

Matt Kroulik of Stephen, Minnesota is a wood carver and he talks about his work in the current exhibit at the NWMAC Riverwalk Gallery in East Grand Forks, MN. Matt is also a teacher in the Stephen-Argyle public school system.

Jim Johnanneck of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota is a woodworker (wood turning) and currently has his work on display at the Northwest Minnesota Regional Arts Council Artists Gallery, in the River Walk Center of downtown East Grand Forks, MN.