Artist Initiative
Artist Initiative
Nelsen will share the video 'Bird House Legend', a documentary on the life and craft of Dick Bellefeille who in the Anishinaabe tradition has crafted over 25,000 original birdhouses with birch bark and barnwood.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse: Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Philip McKenzie, Oboe and English horn player; adjunct oboe faculty, NDSU; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen: Executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; coordinator, First Stage Gallery; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund.; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
Anthony Adah: Film studies professor, MSU Moorhead; Sara Enzenauer: Executive director, Frozen River Film Festival; Robert Larson: Assistant professor of communication and media studies at The College of St. Scholastica; Rebecca McDonald: CEO, media production company BFRESH Productions; Jatin Setia: Founder and executive director, Twin Cities Film Fest
ACHF Arts Access
I will write, direct and produce a short documentary about the life and creative work of Dick Bellefeuille - he has created 25,000 bird houses. With the help of this grant I will further develop my skills in Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production skills as well as in marketing/communications. 2: To share with others the history of the Minnesota French/Anishinaabe lineage, harvesting/repurposing of birch bark, and barn wood. Creatively inspire and teach audiences in Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, and Mahnomen as well as a showing on TPT Minnesota Original.
I researched, interviewed, scouted and filmed everyone on the original proposal except Louise Erdrich. Because of the grant I was able to further develop my skills in Pre-Production planning, Production skills and communications skills. 2: Because of Covid-19, I was unable to bring the project to this outcome. All arts organizations have been closed to the public. I overcame the challenges that Covid-19 has presented and was still able to capture footage and have meetings with participants.