Otter Cove Children's Museum will be a state-of-the-art educational and cultural center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, providing a much-needed accessible, indoor play space for the children of Otter Tail County and beyond. Otter Cove was started and driven by a group of moms but the actual place, Otter Cove, is for children and the "critters" who live there; the otter in the Otter Romp Playground, the fox at the cafe, the beaver at the dentist office, the raccoon at the grocery store, the swan on the stage, the mice at the bookstore, and the skunk at the veterinarian.
We will add to the number of American Indians presenting artistic work and ideas, and expand our audiences to promote a vibrant, honest American Indian world view in Minnesota by supporting 3 short term projects led by artists in our coalition: The January Buffalo Show, RedTalk Symposium, and Live At the Buffalo Show CD Audio Mastering and short run printing.
“Preserving Hmong Cultural Farming Traditions” is a project devoted to documenting, through photography, videography, and oral interviews, the unique agricultural practices, traditions, and stories of Hmong farmers. Farming is an intrinsic element of Hmong heritage and identity. But very little of the knowledge and experience of Hmong farmers is being passed down to Hmong youth. This project will document and preserve Hmong farming stories and agricultural traditions for future generations.
?Movement as Language' explores how dance can become a common language through community workshops and choreographic processes. The workshops are for people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, particularly Latinx, LGBTQ+, and disabled community members. The project will culminate in a unique performance by workshop participants and reflects the work of the leaders' Carmen Lucia 'Meli' Lincoln and Erika Martin in activism, art, and dance education.