Local artists are invited to a workshop on March 29

Lake Region Arts Council and West Central Initiative are excited to announce that Pelican Rapids and Frazee have been selected for the 2025 Artists on Main Street Program, an initiative that supports small artist-led projects to activate downtown spaces.

The program will kick off with a free workshop in each community inviting local artists, creatives, makers and culture bearers from Pelican Rapids and Frazee to explore how art and creativity can strengthen their communities. This hands-on session, led by Springboard for the Arts and Rethos: Places Reimagined, will introduce ideas for using art to engage residents, attract visitors, and build local pride. Workshop participants will also learn how to apply for small grants of up to $1,500 to support their own creative projects downtown.

Workshop details:

• Frazee Workshop: Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Cornerstone Community & Youth Center 300 2nd St NW, Frazee, MN

• Pelican Rapids Workshop: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3-5:30 p.m., Pelican Rapids Public Library 25 West Mill St, Pelican Rapids

•  Register at www.springboardforthearts.org/events

“This workshop is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to bring creative ideas to life in their community,” said Emily Kurash Casey of Rethos. “You don’t need to be a professional artist. Whether you’re a crafter, a singer, a writer or a graphic designer, this workshop is for anyone with a creative vision for how to make our downtowns more welcoming and vibrant.”

Creative 

Downtown Activation

Artists on Main Street, developed by Springboard for the Arts and Rethos: Places Reimagined, supports local artists in creating projects that bring people together, spark conversations, and highlight community identity. Since launching in 2018, the program has engaged 20 small towns and over 400 artists and resulted in hundreds of small-scale creative projects across Minnesota and North Dakota. 

Pelican Rapids and Frazee were selected for their commitment to integrating the arts into community development. Pelican Rapids, known for its rich cultural diversity, and Frazee, with its strong downtown revitalization efforts, are ideal communities for this program.

Working with local artists brings a unique perspective and creative approach to problem-solving, breathing new life into spaces, engaging the community, and offering fresh solutions to longstanding challenges, like empty storefronts,” said Jordan Grossman, CEDA Contracted EDA Director for Pelican Rapids. “By involving local artists in downtown/main street initiatives, it ensures that the community is actively involved in shaping the future of its public spaces, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration.

“Art and culture are some of the most powerful tools we believe we have,” said Karen Pifher, Economic Development Director in Frazee. “Learning more about how to mobilize and build on the strengths of our local artists can help us be ready for success in achieving big goals around economy, bringing community together, and physical improvements.”

Funding for 

Artist-Led Projects

Between June and December 2025, each community will host 8-10 small projects of up to $1,500 each allowing artists of all types to bring their creative ideas to life. Past projects in other communities have included everything from pop-up performances to interactive installations, fashion shows, and storytelling events.

“This program has proven time and again that small, artist-led projects can have a big impact,” said Michele Anderson, Rural Director at Springboard for the Arts. “When artists are given the opportunity to shape their communities, downtowns become more welcoming, engaging, and full of possibility.”

To register for the workshops, visit www.springboardforthearts.org/events. 

Artists on Main Street is supported by West Central Initiative and is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.