Bemidji, MN – The Bemidji Area Arts Endowment (BAAE), a fund in the family of funds at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, invites community members to attend the Art Legacy Celebration on Saturday, October 24th. The fundraising event will take place at the 4th Street Loft in downtown Bemidji, beginning with a social at 5:30 p.m., followed by a welcome at 6:45 p.m.
The celebration will feature an immersive floor-show evening of entertainment directed by artist Cate Belleveau, bringing together music, theater, and artistic expression. Performers represent local nonprofit arts organizations that have previously received grant funding from the BAAE.
At the event, BAAE will unveil the Art Legacy Project (ALP), a new initiative which will support the arts in the community by auctioning original art created by local artists. The Art Legacy Project will provide a means for artists, collectors, or estates to donate artwork to BAAE for future auctions. A curated collection of 19 original signed works of art by local Minnesota artists—including oil, watercolor, ink, intaglio prints, and mixed media on canvas and framed pieces—will be auctioned online.
Bidding opens October 10th and closes at 7:30 p.m. on October 24th. Bidders can browse the online gallery, register, and place bids at https://givebutter.com/c/artlegacyproject.
“Strong arts communities create vibrant places to live, work, and thrive,” said Terri Darco, Community Senior Philanthropy Officer at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. “The Art Legacy Project allows collectors to acquire beautiful, original artwork, while directly investing back into local nonprofit organizations that keep our regional culture so rich in creative expression.”
Tickets for the Art Legacy Celebration are $75 per person and can be purchased online at nwmf.org. Space is limited to 100 guests, and early registration is encouraged.
Proceeds from the Art Legacy Project auction will be invested into the BAAE endowment, helping to provide additional funding for grants to area arts organizations. BAAE’s mission is to enrich the community, expand access to arts education, and enhance the region’s cultural vitality. To make a direct gift to the Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, visit the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s online giving page.
For more information about BAAE, future grant opportunities, or ways to become involved, contact Terri Darco, Community Senior Philanthropy Officer, at terrid@nwmf.org.
