Community Foundation Invests in Regional Arts Through 2026 Iseminger Endowment for the Arts Grants

​Youth musicians rehearsing side-by-side with mentors. Inclusive choir members finding community through song. Young performers stepping onto the stage for the first time. These are just a few of the experiences that will be made possible through 2026 Iseminger Endowment for the Arts Grant Program at the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region.

This year, the Community Foundation awarded $112,172 across nine regional organizations supporting projects in music, theater, dance, and arts education that will serve thousands of residents across the region.

“The arts help define the character of a community,” said Becca Baumbach, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “These organizations are creating opportunities for people of all ages to participate in and experience the arts in meaningful ways, whether that’s on stage, in classrooms, in galleries, or out in the community. We’re grateful to the Iseminger family for creating an endowment that makes these opportunities possible year after year.”

The Iseminger Endowment for the Arts was established to strengthen and expand access to arts and cultural experiences throughout Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and the surrounding region. The annual grant program supports projects that demonstrate artistic quality, community engagement, and educational impact, with an emphasis on musical performance.

Several funded projects place a strong importance on youth engagement and arts education. Northern Valley Youth Orchestras’ sixteenth season will provide symphonic training, mentoring, coaching, and concert opportunities for more than 150 young musicians, while also expanding outreach performances and student mentoring opportunities. Grand Cities Children’s Choir will launch a new percussion education initiative alongside two free public concerts during the 2026–2027 season.

Other projects focus on creating inclusive and accessible arts experiences. LISTEN, Inc.’s “Voice of Inclusion” program will partner with the University of North Dakota to build an inclusive community choir for individuals with and without disabilities, using music to foster connection and belonging. The Empire Arts Center’s production of The Wizard of Oz will bring together seasoned adult actors and youth performers ages 10 and older in an intergenerational theatrical experience designed to create both entertainment and learning opportunities.

Several organizations are also expanding opportunities for audiences to engage directly with professional artists. The North Dakota Museum of Art’s chamber music season will feature internationally recognized musicians participating in concerts, school visits, workshops, and community presentations throughout multi-day residencies. Grand Forks Chorales will pair a major collaborative concert with free educational masterclasses for students and community members.

Additional grants will support Frost Fire Summer Theatre’s revitalized summer season in the Pembina Gorge, upgraded production equipment for East Grand Forks Central Middle School musicals, and North Dakota Ballet Company’s Holiday Extravaganza production featuring performers ranging from preschool-age dancers to adults.

2026 Iseminger Endowment for the Arts Grant recipients include:

• East Grand Forks Public Schools - New Sound Equipment at Central Middle School: Providing upgraded sound and production equipment to enhance student musical and theatrical performances at Central Middle School.
• Empire Arts Center - There’s No Place Like Home: An Intergenerational Musical in the Heart of Downtown Grand Forks: Bringing community members of multiple generations together through a full-scale production of The Wizard of Oz.
• Frost Fire Summer Theatre - Frost Fire Summer Theatre 2026 Season: Supporting a summer theatre season in the Pembina Gorge that combines professional-quality productions with expanded access and community participation.
• Grand Cities Children’s Choir - Your Voice is Your Superpower: Expanding youth music education opportunities through a new percussion program and free public performances during the 2026-2027 season.
• Grand Forks Chorales - Requiem Canticorum: An Interdisciplinary Choral and Saxophone Collaboration: A collaborative performance pairing choral music with guest saxophone artists, accompanied by educational programming and masterclasses.
• LISTEN, Inc. - Voice of Inclusion: An inclusive community choir program developed in partnership with the University of North Dakota that brings together individuals with and without disabilities through music.
• North Dakota Ballet Company - Celebrating Artistry, Community, and Connections: Supporting the company’s Holiday Extravaganza production featuring dancers ranging from preschool-age students to adults.
• North Dakota Museum of Art - 2026–2027 Chamber Music Season: Presenting a series of chamber music residencies featuring internationally recognized musicians alongside concerts, workshops, and school outreach activities.
• Northern Valley Youth Orchestras - Season 16: Providing symphonic training, rehearsals, concerts, mentoring, and outreach opportunities for young musicians from across the region.

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“These projects reflect the depth and diversity of the arts in our region,” Baumbach said. “They create opportunities for learning, creativity, collaboration, and connection that strengthen our communities and enrich our quality of life.”
 
More information about the Iseminger Endowment for the Arts is available at gofoundation.org/iseminger-grants.