North Dakota Council on the Arts

09/10/2026

🚨 NDCA's September E‑News is here & includes the convening AGENDA! 📅https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NDCOTA/bulletins/4294748

✔️ Now that you have had a first look at the speakers, sessions, and experiences planned for Oct. 6–7 in Bismarck, it is time to REGISTER! The $50 rate jumps to $75, so now’s the time to save your spot and join artists, educators, culture‑keepers, and community partners from across the state.
👉 Early Bird registration ends Saturday!
https://www.playeasy.com/events/019fa41b-7e36-7944-8ea0-283bedfde81e

Plus, this month’s E‑News includes:
• A CAA grantee spotlight from Grand Forks
• The newly announced 2026 ND Music Hall of Fame inductees
• Key NDCA reminders, deadlines, and fall updates

09/08/2026

📢 Good news! We’re extending the Early Bird rate through Sept. 11!
👉 Register today and save: https://www.playeasy.com/events/019fa41b-7e36-7944-8ea0-283bedfde81e

🐦 We want the 2026 ND Statewide Arts Convening to be accessible to everyone — and we’d love to see registrations grow — so you now have extra time to snag the discounted $50 rate before it goes up to $75.

🎨 Join us Oct. 6–7 at the Bismarck Radisson for two powerful half‑days exploring how the arts support healing, wellness, and community strength across North Dakota. From keynotes to breakout sessions to hands‑on activities, it’s the perfect gathering for artists, educators, leaders, and partners who care about creativity in our state. 💛

🪗 Don’t miss Tuesday’s Outdoor Block Party!

Live music, food trucks, art activities, and an artist showcase — the ideal fall evening in downtown Bismarck! 🎶🌮🌟

📣 Coming soon: We’ll be sharing the rough draft agenda in this week’s September E‑news, so stay tuned for a peek at what’s coming!

👉 Learn more: www.arts.nd.gov

09/03/2026

📢 APPLY NOW - FY27 Community Arts Access Grants - Round 2!
👥 Arts & non-arts organizations and unincorporated groups can apply for up to $4,000 to support arts activities including but not limited to . . . art festivals, exhibitions, performance series, touring performances or exhibits, and stand-alone single discipline or multidisciplinary arts projects of all forms.
🗓️ Round 2 Deadline: Sept. 20, 2026
(project dates Dec. 1, 2026-June 30, 2027)
➡️ Learn more and apply: https://www.arts.nd.gov/arts-organizations/community-arts-access
📷 Flickertail Woodcarvers (Bismarck)

09/01/2026

⏰ ------ Hurry! ------ Early Bird Registration Ends Sept. 7! ✨🎨
👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/biennial-north-dakota-arts-convening-tickets-1993485811726

Don’t miss the 2026 ND Statewide Arts Convening happening Oct. 6–7 at the Bismarck Radisson! The Early Bird Rate is only $50 through Sept. 7, then it jumps to $75. ⏳🔥

This year’s theme is all about the powerful connection between arts and healing, with inspiring keynotes on how creativity supports elders, youth, and mental health. 💛💭

Your registration includes:
🍽️ Meals
🎟️ Block Party food ticket
🎁 Sponsor goodie bag
🤝 Full access to keynotes, networking, and breakout sessions!

🌙 🎶 And don’t miss Tuesday night’s Outdoor Block Party, hosted by folk artist Tom Brosseau, with live performances, food trucks, arts activities, an artist showcase, and a great community vibe for everyone!

👩‍🎨👨‍🏫🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Perfect for artists, arts leaders, educators, partners, and anyone who loves and supports the arts in ND!

🛌 Remember to also book a hotel room if needed: https://www.playeasy.com/events/019fa41b-7e36-7944-8ea0-283bedfde81e

The .gov means it's official. Official North Dakota websites will end in .gov. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a government site.

08/25/2026

📷 Great opportunity for an ND artist who is just starting their journey in the field of photography. Read the rules and enter your photos by Oct. 30.

Help share the story of agriculture through your photographs! We're looking for agriculture-related photos in several categories. The contest is open to North Dakota residents of all ages! https://www.ndda.nd.gov/north-dakota-department-agriculture-photo-contest

08/20/2026

📸 Only ONE WEEK left to submit your photos for a chance to win some cash and join the list of award-winning photographers across North Dakota!

📸 Now accepting entries!

The 2026 North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest is open, inviting North Dakotans to capture the beauty, character and spirit that make our state legendary. From the Badlands to hometown moments, share your perspective for a chance to win prizes and have your work featured across the state.

Submit your photos or videos by Aug. 31: https://belegendary.link/GovPhotoContest26

08/18/2026

✂️ Something for our FIBER artists!

Greetings Quilters! Just a little over two weeks left to enter your quilt or quilted works into the biennial Metro Quilt Expo at www.fmquilters.org/mqe2026entry/ Deadline is Sept. 1.
Don’t miss your chance to shine! Do you have a quilt, quilted clothing, bags, pin cushions, tuffets or anything else quilted that you want to share? Enter items for $10 each. Free for youth quilters 16 and under. Then plan to attend Sept 25 and 26, 9-6pm Fri and 9-4pm Sat. $10 admission for over 16. Free to under 16!

08/17/2026

⌚ One last reminder - - - - JOIN US on the TOP FLOOR of the ND State Capitol tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 17 at 3pm to hear all about this wonderful project featuring (LIVE and IN-PERSON ) ND's New Americans!

Kjersti Armstrong, First Lady of North Dakota

08/10/2026

📣 The August 2026 "Back to School" NDCA E‑News is here — and for us, that means art, residencies, and convening … so cool! 🎨📚✨

This month’s edition highlights:
• Early‑bird registration now OPEN for our biennial Statewide Arts Convening (through Sept. 6!)
📜 The UND Constitution Day Project reception on Aug. 17 at the ND Capitol
🟠 New updates from Arts Across the Prairie
📍 An expanded Murals Across ND map — now at 88+ murals
🏫 A feature on FY26 Artist in Residence projects making big impacts across the state
🥳 Plus “Good News” celebrating ND's own Arts for Vets in Grand Forks!

👉 Read the full August E‑News: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NDCOTA/bulletins/423e90a

👉 Register for the Convening: https://www.arts.nd.gov/statewide-arts-convening