February 25, 2010—
Over the course of two years, artists from North Dakota and South Dakota collaborated with the Bush Foundation to explore new ways of supporting the professional development of artists in the region through the Dakota Creative Connections grant program
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The Bush Foundation recognizes that artists living in largely rural areas face many challenges developing their work and getting it noticed. The goal of Dakota Creative Connections (DCC), an initiative of the Bush Artist Program (in partnership with Springboard for the Arts), is to help artists living in North and South Dakota develop new ideas and directions for specific projects and their creative lives. Applications for project grants will be available March 9 at www.bushfoundation.org.
DCC chooses eight to 12 artists annually to receive grants that range from $3,000 to $6,000. In addition, it hosts professional development activities and meetings with other artists for grant recipients. Deadline for application is April 24.
Artists (over age 21) at all stages of their life’s work and in all disciplines are eligible for support. Categories rotate on an annual basis. In 2009, grants will be made to artists working in five categories—literary arts; music composition; performance-based work; script works; and performance: traditional, folk and ethnic arts. In 2010, the Foundation will support artists working in three categories—contemporary visual arts; media arts; and visual arts: traditional, ethnic and functional crafts.
A five-person panel will review applications and work samples; panelists include accomplished artists, folklorists, curators, arts presenters and arts administrators from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. The Foundation will announce recipients in July.
Visit www.bushfoundation.org for more specific category and eligibility information, as well as to apply.
The Bush Foundation was established in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald Bush and his wife Edyth. The Foundation strives to be a catalyst to shape vibrant communities in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota by investing in courageous and effective leadership that significantly strengthens and improves the well-being of people in these three states.
In 2009, the Bush Foundation is pursuing its Goals for a Decade, to develop courageous leaders and engage entire communities in solving problems, to support the self-determination of Native nations and to increase educational achievement.
The Bush Foundation established the Bush Artist Program (BAP) in 1976 to support individual artists in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The BAP creates opportunities for artists to advance their work, stimulate dialogue and contribute to deeper community engagement by providing financial and professional development support. It consists of three grant initiatives: the Enduring Vision Awards, the Bush Artist Fellowships and Dakota Creative Connections.
Ka Vang
David Larson
Bill Allen
What is a Bush Fellow?