David Beard Posts

Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Awesomeness

Do you want to see what your regional arts council is funding in your community? Check out the list below, congratulate friends and neighbors who won money, then take a look at the bottom of this message for more about ARAC.

Student Productions, New Works

As a faculty member, I get word of lots of student productions, Here are two worth thinking about.

Tenancy Questions: Pets, etc.

A friend of mine is in a state of post-graduation flux. He’s been asked to renew his lease. He has days to decide. He might be relocating, so renewing is committing before he knows what his job prospects are.

1. He may know within a few weeks. How does one sweet-talk a landlord into extending a lease for a few months?

Busy… Arts and Such

A lot of ground to cover this week…

“A bat flew into my car and bit my hand.”

She was on her way across town to tell me about a road trip she’d taken with friends. She texted me while she was driving — something that I wish she’d never do, but this seemed extraordinary circumstances.

“A bat flew into my car and bit my hand.”

Thank you, DTA

To the driver of the #6/7 running past 20th Avenue East Jefferson Street at 8:45 this morning, who saw me looking dejected as he rolled past the intersection (I was running late trudging through the snow) … and pulled over and waited for me … thank you!

You can read minds.

Fireworks in February

I’m in the cafe at Barnes and Noble, where I just bought the new issue of Charlie Hebdo. I wish that it didn’t feel so commercially crass to have bought this now.

Slowing Down

Friday night, I celebrated my friend Scott’s birthday. When I asked him how old he was, he only said that he was 39 again. I know that feeling.

Bobcat in the Snare

From my friends at Wildwoods, with a warning that some images are graphic:
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Tim Kaiser at Jefferson Peoples House

Tim Kaiser celebrated the kickoff of his crowd fundraising event by performing at Jefferson Peoples House in Duluth.

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A few Days in Duluth: Murder Ballads and Valentine’s Day

So tired.

Minnesota Cup overfloweth with Northlanders (maybe, if you help)

Minnesota Cup event at the Green Acres Barn Event Center.

Minnesota Cup event at the Green Acres Barn Event Center.

Too few people up here know about Minnesota Cup. Our friends at Locally Laid have been past winners, and took this picture of the 2015 event.

Minnesota Cup is an innovative idea competition. According to Mark Dayton on the website:

The Minnesota Cup celebrates and encourages the unique character that makes Minnesota a special place to do business. From our rich history of entrepreneurship to our impressive list of Fortune 500 companies, Minnesota is where great ideas become great companies. Attracting more than 8,000 entries since 2005, the Minnesota Cup is now the largest statewide new venture competition in the country…. I am grateful for the support provided by the Minnesota Cup’s lead sponsors, including: the University of Minnesota; Wells Fargo; Carlson Companies; Digital River; General Mills; UnitedHealth Group; and the state of Minnesota. This is an excellent example of how public and private partnerships can work together and encourage new business development in Minnesota.

It would be great if I could post every year about a Northlander winner of this competition (and celebrate the cash as well as mentor support this program offers new businesses). But I can only do that if you apply with your amazing business idea.

Ruffed grouse release 2/5/15

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Several days ago, one of our great local conservation officers brought in a ruffed grouse with a head injury to Wildwoods. The grouse has made a full recovery, so today, Sarah and Trudy released her back into the wild. The grouse exploded from the transport kennel and quickly disappeared into the woods.

ARAC seeking new board members

I have been a board member at the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council for, like, four years now. It has enriched my life immensely. Immensely. Consider joining as an Duluth member, at-large.

ARAC is currently accepting applications for the upcoming term starting in June. Positions that will be available include a board representative from Koochiching County and at-large members from any of the seven Arrowhead region counties.

For more information on becoming an ARAC board member and how to apply, click here.

ARAC Organizational Grants Awarded

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council awarded a total of $93,840 in two-year operating support grants in January. There were eight organizations awarded out of 11 applicants. The program awards up to $12,000 over a two-year period to established nonprofit regional arts organizations to maintain their ongoing operating needs and services. The following is a list of organizations granted:

  • County Seat Theatre, Cloquet
  • Lake Superior Community Theatre, Silvery Bay
  • Matinee Musicale, Duluth
  • Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, Virginia
  • Nordic Center, Duluth
  • North Shore Music Association, Grand Marais
  • Northern Lights Music Festival, Inc., Aurora
  • Twin Ports Wind Ensemble, Duluth

ARAC also awarded a total of $39,090 in rural and community art project grants. There were nine organizations awarded out of 10 applicants. The program provides grants up to $5,000 to nonprofit, regional arts groups to support community- or artist-initiated arts activities that will affect the group and/or the community it serves. The following is a list of organizations granted:

  • Chalk.a.Lot, Two Harbors
  • Cook Area Chamber of Commerce, Cook
  • Friends of B’nai Abraham, Virginia
  • Good Harbor Hill Players, Grand Marais
  • Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus, Grand Rapids
  • Grand Rapids Players, Grand Rapids
  • Great River String Ensemble, Aitkin
  • Itasca Choral Society/Itasca Community Chorus, Grand Rapids
  • Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Championships, Virginia
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