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Celebrating Creativity: The Future Artists Fund Supports Local Young Artists

The Mineral Area Council on the Arts (MACOA) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Future Artists Fund, a scholarship program dedicated to nurturing young artists and strengthening arts education in our community.

Established by the MACOA Board, the Future Artists Fund was created to provide meaningful support to K–12 classrooms and programs in music, art, and theater. The board recognized that arts education is not simply an extracurricular activity—it is a fundamental part of student growth, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and self-confidence. By investing in these programs, the board sought to ensure that students in both public and private schools have access to high-quality arts experiences, regardless of the resources available at their school. The Future Artists Fund is designed to empower educators to bring their most imaginative ideas to life, whether through innovative performances, visual arts projects, or music programs, ultimately inspiring the next generation of artists and nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the arts in the community.

This year’s awards were given to:

  • Jennifer Stokes, North County High School – Theater

  • Shellby Brannam, Potosi High School – Art

  • Maribel Ramirez-Bohnenkamp, Bismarck – Art

  • Jane Ramos, St. Joseph – Music

Each recipient demonstrated passion, innovation, and dedication in their proposals, highlighting the incredible potential of the students and programs they serve. While the Future Artists Fund could not support every application this year, the board was inspired by the creativity and commitment shared in every submission.

“We are thrilled to see the projects and ideas these educators have for their students,” said Tiffany Gallaher. “The Future Artists Fund is about more than providing financial support—it’s about recognizing and helping to cultivate the incredible talent and imagination in our community’s young artists.”

Applications for next year’s Future Artists Fund will open March 2026, and MACOA encourages all educators with arts programs to apply. With continued support from donors and community members, the program hopes to expand and reach even more classrooms, helping to ensure that every student has the opportunity to explore and grow through the arts.

For those interested in helping support the Future Artists Fund, donations can be made by contacting tgallaher@mineralarea.edu. Every contribution helps to provide scholarships that inspire, encourage, and empower the young artists of our region.