Troubled Art

Despite all the cheerleading and heads-in-the-sand media reporting that is taking place some days about the great state of the economy, there is no doubt that non-profit arts and advocacy organizations in our area are taking it in the shorts big time.

We’ve been seeing this unfold with HPR’s partners and customers for several months now. Some organizations are consolidating and combining forces, i.e. Hjemkomst and Clay County Historical Society. Some are tightening their belts, i.e. Plains Art Museum. Some are hanging on for dear life, i.e. Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre. And some are outright dead, i.e. ACLU of the Dakotas.

While yes it is true North Dakota’s general economy is way better than many or most other states, it is also true we have very, very challenging times to work through.

Not long ago, an HPR reader up in northeastern North Dakota asked how it was that our governor can go around touting the strength of our state’s economy when some counties, i.e. Cavalier County, have experienced one-fourth additional loss of population in the last decade or less.

Do you folks remember the National Geographic article on the emptying out of North Dakota? Do you remember our visceral and vitriolic response to that article, its author and the magazine? Even our governor chimed in venting disgust.

Problem was and is still that it was and is true.

Yes, Fargo and some urban centers are experiencing some growth. But even Fargo is witnessing unemployment problems, diminished new growth, high tax rates, and a hugely affected economy for arts, cultural and advocacy organizations.

If we as a community do not put our brains together right now and help our friends in need work through this hopefully temporary bumpy time, we will face losses that are priceless to calculate. Truly.

HPR takes pride in our partnerships with arts organizations. It is not acceptable to sit back and not reach out a helping hand when people and organizations that exist to give to us are in dire trouble or face a gutting of their services, staff and outreach.

The list is much longer than any of us know. There is an element of pride in these parts and folks are not likely to go around advertising their tough times. We suspect that many such organizations are worrying and fretting about their very existence.

We need to see that and we need to act on that. We need to help our friends.

If you are uncertain, ask. Pick up the phone and ask your favorite organizations how things are going for them. Ask if their contributions are up or down. Ask if you can do anything to help, cash or otherwise. Ask if they need you.

Fargo Street Fair

The Reader set up a tent and mics on our landlord’s parking lot for a couple days during the Downtown Street Fair. We could not have been happier with the experience.

Our musicians were stellar. Their talents spoke volumes for HPR’s relationship with artists and musicians alike.

Special thanks to Michael Pink, Tom Johnson (Happy birthday Tom!) and Diane Miller, Amanda Standalone, Fancy That, Eden Parker and Nate West for performing at our impromptu Street Fair stage. Special thanks to the hundreds of passers by who donated cash to the buskers performing. The art displayed by Willie Block and Jesse Anderson were a nice touch, as well to the decor.

We appreciated a.k.a. letting us use their end of the parking lot and their electricity. Next time, we invite them to display artful fashions in our tent and to be part of the fun. Thanks to Jon Offutt for his tent. Truth is, we should do that a few times a year.

HPR Birthday

An HPR reader in Bismarck jotted us a note the other day about our upcoming birthday celebration Friday, Sept. 18, in Fargo. “15 years???? Congrats!” she wrote.

Frankly, HPR’s journey to 15 is a milestone for the entire community. And before we know it, Fall will be upon us and we’ll be kicking up our heels in celebration.

Of course, we will have a stellar line-up of musicians. Already participating will be Jeremy Messersmith and his band out of Minneapolis, Sarah Morrau, Amanda Standalone, Just ‘n Tyme, The Fillers, Ghost Hand Punch, The Palest Blue, Michael Pink, Cody Conner, South Moorhead Scratch Dungeon and more to be announced.

Our signature events will be at the Plains Art Museum and later at the Aquarium. In the middle, we are partnering with Jade Presents as a co-sponsor of the Ani DiFranco show at the Fargo Theatre.

HPR’s birthday reflects immense perseverance, faith and vision, on behalf of countless people. We hope the event will be a reunion of folks out of our past coupled with coming-together with our community present.

Set aside Friday, Sept. 18 on your calendars and pass the word that there is one place to be that night: with us.

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