Season/Series Arts Support

As a result of the mural and Native Arts and Crafts Fair, the Bemidji and surrounding communities will learn that NWICDC serves the entire community and all are welcome. We will create a sense of inclusion and civic-mindedness. Our staff and board are approximately 85% Native and our members represent 95% Native. Family and community are central to our mission and vision; in our personal and professional lives. We hope to dispel some of the long regarded stereotypes of indigenous people and bring about an awareness and appreciation for the cornerstones of our cultures through art. The completed depiction of inclusive community activities, sharing our cultural artwork with Bemidji and surrounding communities will illustrate that we are alive and strong, professional, community focused, employees and members. We are artists working in a world where our art was excluded from colonialism and it continues to be a connector between modernity and our collective ancestral culture. Evaluation methods include participation and audience surveys administered within 3-6 months after the mural is completed to measure the impact and value of the mural creation experience, thoughts on the outcome, the quality of the artwork, depiction of the spirit of community, does the mural represent how they see NWICDC? Previous experiences and attitudes about indigenous people in the area, our art, culture and if their thoughts/feelings, or any preconceived ideas have changed; if so how? Do non-Native people feel comfortable or welcome to visit NWICDC? If not, why? What can we do to be more welcoming? These and other questions will be posed to the greater community via our Facebook page, website and list serves.