The Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) has served its region since 1977. It is one of 11 Regional Arts Councils designated by the Minnesota State Arts Board. The Lake Region Arts Council serves nine counties, including Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin. The McKnight Foundation helps fund the state’s 11 regional arts councils which were established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1977 to encourage local art and cultural activity throughout the state. Since 2010, the RACs have directed all McKnight funding to support individual artists. For the latest information, visit the RAC in your area.
“It was invaluable in helping me to conceptualize my first novel. Having no personal experience in business or city planning, I was at a loss before doing this research.” —VINCENT REUSCH
With funding from McKnight, the Lake Region Arts Council awarded writer and Concordia College English professor Vincent Reusch a Career Development Grant to travel to Michigan to do research for his first novel, set in a fictional town undergoing similar economic crises that the Detroit area experienced at the beginning of the recession. Of his time in Michigan, Vincent said, “It was invaluable in helping me to conceptualize my first novel. Having no personal experience in business or city planning, I was at a loss before doing this research. Perhaps more importantly, I have learned how easy and enjoyable doing this type of research is.””
LRAC has been committed to providing access to quality arts opportunities and programming since its inception. Over the years, they have grown to be able to offer seven grant programs, a monthly newsletter, an online arts calendar, two art galleries, workshops and networking meetings, an artist registry, and technical assistance to artists and arts organizations in their nine-county region.
