Gizhiigin Arts Incubator

Supporting an artist-led initiative providing resources to help advance artistic goals.

The Gizhiigin Arts Incubator, an artist-led initiative, supports Native artists in the White Earth Nation by providing services and resources to advance their artistic and entrepreneurial goals. Starting as a vacant storefront on Main Street in Mahnomen, the incubator provides space for exhibitions, common work areas and studio space. 

On receiving the gift from the Waterers, Gizhiigin said, “It is a great honor to be recognized by others doing similar work. With the pandemic and the aftershock of the murder of George Floyd laying bare the inequities of a system designed to exclude Indigenous and BIPOC communities from the equitable access to resources needed to thrive, now is the time to take action to disrupt the status quo. Artists are the culture bearers of our Indigenous communities.” 

Gizhiigin seeks to grow the arts economy within the White Earth Nation and the region. Partnering with the Red Lake Nations 4-Directions Development, Inc., Gizhiigin has helped to design the Anishinaabe Art Festival set for July 2022 in Bemidji, MN.