BATTLE LAKE — Art of the Lakes has received a $100,000 Blandin Foundation Leadership Boost Grant to develop a creative center in Battle Lake that uses the arts as an incubator for community involvement and regional economic development.
Leadership Boost Grants were launched to encourage Minnesotans living in rural and Tribal communities to be visionary and creative as they move their communities forward after two years of snowballing challenges.
“The last two years of complex crises have taken a toll on leaders across rural Minnesota,” said Sonja Merrild, director of rural grant-making at Blandin Foundation. “In times like this, of great challenge and opportunity, the resilience and fortitude of rural people and places shines through. Yet, we recognize the critical need for more resources to move small communities from where they are to where they want to…
