Creative Support for Organizations-Round 1

Rebecca Colebank: A retired family law attorney with an interest in social justice issues. Colebank graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in political science and then graduated from the University of North Dakota with a juris doctorate. Colebank has served on the boards of numerous civic organizations.; Jennifer Gorman: The founder of Give Back Studio, and a freelance media program manager. She was previously the program coordinator for an art program that supported artists with disabilities. She has a background and education in art therapy and counseling and has worked with children in a psychiatric residential setting as an art therapist. She graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a MS in art therapy and counseling, has a BA in studio art from the University of Mary Washington (Fredericksburg, VA), serves on the board of Northern Community Radio and CoHaus, and is a commissioner on the Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission.; Emily Kelson: Currently working as a grant writer for Minneapolis based non-profit, Loaves & Fishes. Previously, she worked as the organization?s development and fundraising generalist. She received her bachelor?s degree from Metropolitan State University in Technical Communications and Professional Writing. Prior to graduating, she worked for the university?s foundation as a student ambassador where she completed a variety of tasks including assisting with grant applications and writing fundraising appeals. She is interested in serving as an application reviewer because of her current work as a grant writer and is looking for opportunities to learn and grow her skills. Additionally, Kelson would feel proud to help award funding to organizations that are doing the important work of uplifting our communities with their creativity.; Noboru Nikaido: A Japanese photographer and musician. Nikaido teaches the community a photo workshop at a Japanese restaurant. Students learn its history, technology, and how to approach the media. Recently, he got two grants: Creative Support for Individuals, Minnesota State Arts Board, and Arts Impact for Individuals, Metro Regional Arts Council. Currently, he works in Design Department at Walker Art Center. He got a BFA degree from U of MN, Post-Bac from MCAD, and attended the MFA program at the School of Visual Arts, NEW YORK, NY.; Mark Peterson: Currently a reporter/photographer for the Northeaster newspaper. He spent 10 years as a project manager for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. He has a BA in American Studies from the University of Minnesota, was previously a computer analyst, worked in television production of PSAs, and was a volunteer builder in ten trips to Central America. He has had nine submissions accepted for the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition. and was an Arts Board remote reviewer in 2021.; Anika Sieh: A recent graduate of the University of MN- Twin Cities with an interdepartmental individually designed Bachelor of Arts degree with concentrations in art, art history, and anthropology. I focused my studies on how to create a responsible art practice with four fundamental pillars: Accessibility, Representation, Sustainability, and Functionality. My capstone project was an explorative paper on grant organizations in the Twin Cities, which involved interviewing grant managers, panelists, and artists throughout the Twin Cities. I am the assistant project coordinator at MPLSart.com. In this role I assist with planning of public works, listing events and updating the websites calendar, as well as communications between MPLSart and local galleries, artists, and organizations. I have worked in this role since September 2021. I also work with the LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings, MN as a site educator.