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With the support of a community panel review, the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors recently granted $40,712 to fund arts activity in the community through the Artists Engage Community Grant program.

Artists Engage Community Grants help fund artists planning to engage the community through high-quality, accessible arts activities to people in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen Counties, a release said.

Seth Freundschuh of Tenstrike was awarded $6,000 to provide partial scholarships for every student attending the String Institute he will be teaching in collaboration with Dr. Eric Olson.

Shannon Lucas Westrum of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to teach beginner-level functional basketmaking in communities within the Region 2 Arts Council’s 5-county service area.

Peter Paquette of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to host seven gatherings to engage children and their parents or guardians in discussing, learning and creating art about one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

Annette Theroux of Bemidji was awarded $5,212 to conduct, in partnership with the Bemidji Area Weavers Guild, a rep (Swedish Ripsmatta) loom weaving workshop for intermediate to advanced weavers at the Watermark Art Center.

Melissa Widner of Mahnomen was awarded $5,500 to create and present "Honoring Ojibwe Elder Knowledge and Wisdom," a multimedia storytelling project celebrating the resilience and healing journeys of Elders from White Earth Reservation.

Shannon Murray of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to co-present, with guest artist Myron Swimmer, inclusive songwriting workshops and performances for area youth, including those with and without intellectual disabilities, that foster creativity, social connection and self-expression.

Miriam Webber of Bemidji was awarded $6,000 to both commission and perform new chamber music for bassoon, featuring the bassoon, flute and clarinet on a tour across northern Minnesota.

To apply for the next round of funding or view the full list of awards, visit