Region 2 Arts Council Awards Fellowships to Two Local Artists

The Region 2 Arts Council on November 24, 2025 awarded Artist Fellowships for the 2025 to 2026 cycle to two artists working in distinct media. Filmmaker Jason Ewert and sculptor Duane Goodwin each received a $6,000 fellowship intended to support established regional artists who have developed significant bodies of work. Funding for the fellowships included support from the McKnight Foundation.

The fellowships are designed to provide flexible resources for artists to advance projects, sustain practices, and increase public engagement with the arts. For Beltrami County residents, the awards represent both cultural investment and practical support for creative work that can generate exhibitions, screenings, public programs, and educational opportunities in the region.

Ewert is recognized for documentary and narrative film work, including projects produced in partnership with Lakeland PBS. His work contributes to regional storytelling and media production capacity, and the fellowship funding will allow continued development of films that document local histories and contemporary life. Goodwin brings a national exhibition record and a roster of awards to his fellowship. As a sculptor with work shown beyond the region, his recognition by Region 2 affirms a local connection to a broader artistic network.

Region 2 Arts Council administers fellowships to highlight mid career and established artists who demonstrate sustained practice. The council’s announcement underscores the role of private philanthropic support in sustaining arts activity in northern Minnesota. The McKnight Foundation contribution is part of a broader pattern of grant making that influences which artistic initiatives can expand into public programming and education.

For residents and local institutions, the immediate impact includes increased visibility for regional artists and potential collaborations with schools, museums, and media outlets. Over time the awards may translate into new work, public exhibitions, and enhanced cultural tourism. The fellowship program also serves as an institutional mechanism to channel philanthropic resources into the region, supporting artists whose work helps shape community identity and civic life.