TWO MILLE LACS BAND MEMBER IKWEWAG AWARDED GRANTS

Alicia De La Cruz, Band member wearing a beaded medalian and ribbon skirt of her own creations.

By VIVIAN LaMOORE, INAAJIMOWIN EDITOR

Artist's Futures Cohort grants

When passion turns into a career, often times the bank account is the one thing that struggles the most. For many artists, that is exactly the case. Often times, not much is deposited into the checking account when they are constantly making deposits into their creativity.

But two Mille Lacs Band members, Memegwesikwe, Alicia De La Cruz of Minneapolis and Amikogaabawiikwe, Adrienne Benjamin of Isle, are a bit less worried over their finances, at least for a little while, after each received grants for their artistry that will help them continue their work as artists.

Ten artists from the seven-county metropolitan area and the 11 tribal nations of Minnesota were selected for the new Artists’ Futures Cohort! Artists’ Futures is a professional development, skill building and networking cohort for artists working in any artistic discipline at any stage in their career. Selected artists receive a financial award of $35,000 along with additional resources to support their ability to take creative risks and build technical skills that could contribute to a sustainable and successful career in the arts. This grant was made possible by the Seeding Cultural Treasures program funded through a partnership between the McKnight Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

"To have two Mille Lacs Band ikwewag receive this same grant is amazing," Alicia said. "I am just as proud of this as any other grant or fellowship that I have received."

As many artists do, Alicia said she applies for grant opportunities all of the time. "I dip my toe in a bunch of different things. I apply for whatever speaks to me and that I qualify for."

She is currently a recipient of a Bell Museum Fellowship where she is working on a flora piece. Her art is on view at the Mall of America, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, in several galleries around the metro area, and whatever art shows she can get into. She is currently hopefully and patiently waiting on hearing from the Minnesota Historical Society on another grant opportunity.

Alicia has been beading for many years and often incorporates her beadwork into multi-medium techniques such as combining a painting with beadwork.

Alicia said her dream is to have her art displayed at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum.

What sets this grant apart from others, however, is this grant with the financial award is not based on the artists providing any type of project in return for the award. It is more like, "An investment in the artist's life," said Adrienne. "That is extra exciting and cool for me. I feel like artists work from process to process or outcome to outcome for most financial grants. But this one is designed to simply support artists in whatever way they need."

Adrienne's art is exquisite jingle dresses, ribbon skirts and shirts, beadwork and hats. Her work has been highlighted in galleries and museums. "But when I see my dresses being worn at the dances and powwows, that is what means the most to me," Adrienne said.

For Alicia, receiving this grant is a huge relief that will provide a bit of financial stability that will allow her to focus her time and energy on her art.

Adrienne said she is grateful for the award and still in a bit of awe. She is undecided on what to do with it, but she said she knows she will pay some of it forward to help other artists in some way shape or form.

You can follow both of the artists on Instagram and Facebook to get another glimpse into the lives of the artists

Adrienne Benjamin, Band member wearing one of her exquisite jingle dresses.