CONGRATULATIONS, GRANT RECIPIENTS! FALL 2025
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) is excited to announce that on November 19, 2025, the ARAC Board approved $260,700 in grants to 58 individual artists and 11 organizations through our Emergency Relief Fund, Individual Artist Equity, and Operating Support Grant programs.
Emergency Relief Fund
The Emergency Relief Fund Grant Program (ERF) is a pilot program that provides $500 or $1000 to individual artists who have had a critical need relating to healthcare, housing, equipment, or legal emergencies since January 1, 2024. This grant is intended to serve our community by addressing the pressing circumstances of artists in need. This grant is non-competitive, meaning that all results are based on a random numerical drawing.
$41,000 in Emergency Relief Grant funding was awarded to 43 artists! Due to the sensitive nature of this grant and out of respect for the applicant’s privacy, ARAC will not publicly announce the awarded grantees for the ERF.
The Artists Emergency Relief Fund Network is stewarded by Springboard for the Arts
Artist Equity Grant for individuals
$59,700 in Individual Artist Equity Grant funding was awarded to 15 artists!
Awarded Applicants:
Cashmere Hagbourne, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support the artist’s project “Afromations – Arts & Culture for Youth Empowerment,” to empower youth through art and literature.
Michael Goldberg, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $4,000
Funding will support a curated series of five free storytelling concerts celebrating members of marginalized communities.
Tashia Hart, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support the artist in developing a storyboard and animatic for “Visualizing the Gichigami Gazette,” a Native American Paranormal Romcom project.
Tim Byrns, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support "Vilomah: The Shape of Absence," a wood sculpture series exploring grief and identity.
Lindsey Bergan, Hibbing, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support "Paper Dolls - Atypically Designed Personalities," a mixed media tale of misdiagnosis, masking, and finding answers through the decades.
Carla Hamilton-Eisele, Wrenshall, Carlton, $3,700
Funding will support the artist’s professional development through various art courses and training.
Elsa Murray, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support “When We Were Animals,” a poetry collection centering queer and trans narratives from the upper Midwest, navigating changing times, grief, and healing.
Jordan Sundberg, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support the Northwoods Lullaby Art Exhibit: An exhibit of artwork from the artist’s first picture book.
Clare Cooley, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support the artist’s creation of a short film chronicling one painting’s journey from canvas to completion, and the artist’s own journey as an elder artist.
Samuel Miltich, Grand Rapids, Itasca, $4,000
Funding will support the artist in recording a new repertoire of Eastern European and Balkan music.
Kayla Schiltgen, Two Harbors, Lake, $4,000
Funding will support the artist’s engagement in mentorship to build technical skills and refine her aesthetic, supporting the production of her screendance installation.
Christine Marcotte, Deer River, Itasca, $4,000
Funding will support the artist in generating and completing prose for their Blurred Visions short story collection.
M Baxley, Grand Marais, Cook, $4,000
Funding will support the creation of Anishinaabe Stories of Spirits, People, and Place.
Alex Kmett, Cloquet, Carlton, $4,000
Funding will support the production of multimedia glitch collage works and artistic development.
Alex Iantaffi, Duluth, St. Louis, $4,000
Funding will support a writing, performance, and zine project for 2Spirit, trans, & queer disabled people.
OPERATING SUPPORT Grant for ORGANIZATIONS
$150,000 in Operating Support Grant funding was awarded to 11 organizations, plus an additional $10,000 of Accessible Arts funding to 5 of those organizations!
Matinee Musicale, Duluth, St. Louis, $15,000
Funding will support the organization’s general operating expenses with a focus on providing inclusive performances.
Lake Vermilion Cultural Center, Tower, St. Louis, $17,000
Funding will support the organization’s general operating expenses, including supporting an administrative position, expanding community programming, and hosting diverse cultural events. Accessible Arts funding will support the implementation of a wheelchair ramp, handrails, and an accessible portable bathroom.
Mesabi Community Orchestra d/b/a Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, Virginia, St. Louis, $15,000
Funding will support the organization’s general operating expenses with a focus on increasing its string section and growing its audience.
Ely Winter Festival, Ely, St. Louis, $11,375
Funding will support the general operating budget of the annual Ely Winter Festival.
Northern Lakes Arts Association, Ely, St. Louis, $15,000
Funding will support the organization’s general operating expenses with a focus on expanding arts participation in rural Minnesota.
Duluth Folk School, Duluth, St. Louis, $17,000
Funding will support the organization’s general operating expenses, with a focus on expanding its educational offerings and community impact. Accessible Arts funding will support technical improvements to AV systems and ground-level renovations to improve accessibility.
Armory Arts and Music Center, Duluth, St. Louis, $15,000
Funding will support the organization’s general operating budget to offer affordable music opportunities to youth in Duluth’s Central Hillside.
Ely Folk School, Ely, St. Louis, $17,000
Funding will support the organization’s general operating budget to increase musician jam sessions, website traffic, and engage new people in the Ely area. Accessible Arts funding will support the organization in purchasing teaching mirrors, ensuring ADA compliance.
Spirit of the Lake Community Arts, Duluth, St. Louis, $16,125 (Offered Partial Funding)
Funding will support the organization’s general operating budget with a focus on expanding arts programming and supporting local artists. Accessible Arts funding will support the organization in making indoor and outdoor facilities ADA-compliant and facilities economically accessible.
Call of the Loon Community Arts, Hibbing, St. Louis, $4,500
Funding will support the organization’s operating expenses with a focus on enhancing dance participation on the Iron Range.
North Port Episodic Series, Duluth, St. Louis, $17,000
Funding will support the organization’s episodic series that focuses on Indigenous representation and underrepresented communities.
