2025 Arts Education Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board

I was privileged to have received a 2025 Arts Education Grant from the MinnesotaState Arts Board! The focus of this grant is to provide low-cost basket weaving workshops in communities in northern Minnesota. This follows a series of 9 (2-day) Farmer's Market basket workshops (2024), along with an exhibition entitled Woods/Water:Entwined, subsidized by a FY2023 Creative Support for Individuals Grant, also from the Minnesota State Arts Board.  
Building on that success, for FY 2025, I expanded the programming to allow more workshops and new techniques in a functional finished piece. My grant plan included 12 workshops, starting at 10 am, with a 1/2hr lunch break, ending between 5 and 6pm. The new series was a Hearth Basket where participants build a grid base and weave the sides around an 8" square hoop. In addition, they created cordage out of local grasses or leaves, and trim and peel birch bark for decorative accents.

Cost to each participant was a fee of $40 per participant. Without the grant funds, this workshop would cost $110 per basket, plus travel (mileage, hotel and meals). With the grant, my time and expenses are all covered, as well as material and tools. Thanks to this and previous grants, I was able to provide all materials and tools necessary. 
Maximum enrollment is 8-12 students based on space
Hearth Basket with birch bark and handmade cordage.