Our Mission:
TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF WATFORD CITY AND MCKENZIE COUNTY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YOUTH BY OFFERING UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTS-BASED DEVELOPMENT, CULTIVATION AND ENTERTAINMENT.
History
The Long X Arts Foundation was organized as a group of committee/board members in McKenzie County with the mission of enriching the lives of Watford City and McKenzie County community members and youth by offering unique opportunities for arts-based development, cultivation and entertainment. Before the official development of the program in 2015, a small group of volunteers hosted and assisted with several small events in the name of community arts. This included a music program for the local elementary school children, sponsoring a string quartet for a community gathering and hosting an art gallery and free music stage with national touring musicians for Watford City's Centennial in 2014, all supporting the mission of bringing affordable arts programming to the community.
The Long X Arts Foundation was officially incorporated in 2016 as a 501c3 organization in response to a strategic planning study that indicated our growing community's need for quality of life initiatives that help create diverse experiences for all ages, which in-turn, creates a more desirable community in which to plant roots, build a life and raise a family. This is a key component to community building in a booming area. We wanted people to choose McKenzie County as their forever home and believe that arts help people find connection and establish a sense of place.
Programming
Since our official incorporation in 2016, the Long X Arts Foundation has grown in support and programming by leaps and bounds, proving with each successful event and partnership that arts programming is much needed and appreciated asset to our growing community. Currently our board hosts and supports the following:
Art Classes for Kids
Adult/Community Art Classes
Painting, pottery, stained glass, photography etc. taught by local artists and artist in residence in collaboration with community artists, venues, Parks and Recreation and the Rough Rider Center
Art for Life Programming
In partnership with the North Dakota Council on the Arts, the Good Shepherd Home and Assisted Living Facility and Watford City Elementary School. A program that brings artists and art activities to elders in our community to improve their health and wellbeing. The program also connects youth with our elders with weekly visits from the 2nd and 5th grade classes.
Rough Rider Center Collaborative Events offering free art activities for youth
Watford City Concert Series
A membership based concert series that brings in three to four nationally acclaimed musicians and entertainers each year and offers reciprocity with four surrounding communities. These entertainers also visit community schools.
Badlands Arts Showcase-Spring
An art and music event that features a variety of local photographers, painters, artists, and potters with work on display and for sale as well as a lineup of regional musicians, bands, songwriters and dancers.
Art at the County Fair-June
Free art programming for youth and adults in conjunction with the county fair
Homefest Art in the Park-July
Art and free music and art activities on Main Street/Children’s Park
Missoula Children’s Theater-July
A free full scale musical experience for youth 1st grade through 8th grade.
Watford Market-July-September
Free Art Activities for Kids and Weekly Music during the community farmer's market
Summer Art Classes/Camp for Kids-June/July
Community Mural Project-Summer
Date Night Outdoor Movie-July
Free community event featuring entertainment and art activities
Family Outdoor Movie Night-August
featuring free art activities for children
Comedy Café-October
Fundraising collaboration for Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, the county's only thrift store.
Writing Workshops-Annually
Support for School Arts and Music Programming throughout the year
Support for Community Arts Activities and Programming throughout the year
The future of the Long X Arts Foundation will continue to be based on supporting the North Dakota Council on the Arts’ Mission in Western North Dakota and the Long X Arts Foundation’s mission, continuing to support arts accessibility within the community. This will include
The Long X Arts Foundation is supported by private community donations and memberships, local business sponsorships and memberships, grants, the North Dakota Community Foundation, The North Dakota Council on the Arts and the North Dakota Humanities Council.
The Long X Arts Foundation was officially incorporated in 2016 as a 501c3 organization in response to a strategic planning study that indicated our growing community's need for quality of life initiatives that help create diverse experiences for all ages, which in-turn, creates a more desirable community in which to plant roots, build a life and raise a family. This is a key component to community building in a booming area. We wanted people to choose McKenzie County as their forever home and believe that arts help people find connection and establish a sense of place.
Programming
Since our official incorporation in 2016, the Long X Arts Foundation has grown in support and programming by leaps and bounds, proving with each successful event and partnership that arts programming is much needed and appreciated asset to our growing community. Currently our board hosts and supports the following:
Art Classes for Kids
- Art for Tots/Pre-school
- Art after School
- Teen Art Club
Adult/Community Art Classes
Painting, pottery, stained glass, photography etc. taught by local artists and artist in residence in collaboration with community artists, venues, Parks and Recreation and the Rough Rider Center
Art for Life Programming
In partnership with the North Dakota Council on the Arts, the Good Shepherd Home and Assisted Living Facility and Watford City Elementary School. A program that brings artists and art activities to elders in our community to improve their health and wellbeing. The program also connects youth with our elders with weekly visits from the 2nd and 5th grade classes.
Rough Rider Center Collaborative Events offering free art activities for youth
- Spring Fest
- Fall Fest
- Christmas Fest
- Additional Events
Watford City Concert Series
A membership based concert series that brings in three to four nationally acclaimed musicians and entertainers each year and offers reciprocity with four surrounding communities. These entertainers also visit community schools.
Badlands Arts Showcase-Spring
An art and music event that features a variety of local photographers, painters, artists, and potters with work on display and for sale as well as a lineup of regional musicians, bands, songwriters and dancers.
Art at the County Fair-June
Free art programming for youth and adults in conjunction with the county fair
Homefest Art in the Park-July
Art and free music and art activities on Main Street/Children’s Park
Missoula Children’s Theater-July
A free full scale musical experience for youth 1st grade through 8th grade.
Watford Market-July-September
Free Art Activities for Kids and Weekly Music during the community farmer's market
Summer Art Classes/Camp for Kids-June/July
Community Mural Project-Summer
Date Night Outdoor Movie-July
Free community event featuring entertainment and art activities
Family Outdoor Movie Night-August
featuring free art activities for children
Comedy Café-October
Fundraising collaboration for Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, the county's only thrift store.
Writing Workshops-Annually
Support for School Arts and Music Programming throughout the year
Support for Community Arts Activities and Programming throughout the year
The future of the Long X Arts Foundation will continue to be based on supporting the North Dakota Council on the Arts’ Mission in Western North Dakota and the Long X Arts Foundation’s mission, continuing to support arts accessibility within the community. This will include
- Promoting local artists and entertainers
- Developing unique programming and educational opportunities for the community and youth in the following area
Dance
Music
Writing
Theater
Art - Supporting and executing arts-based special events
- Partnering with established local youth groups and the schools to incorporate arts-based programming into their curriculum.
- Partnering with local organizations to assist in arts-based programming for special events or programs.
- Research, campaign and raise funds for an arts facility in the Watford City area.
The Long X Arts Foundation is supported by private community donations and memberships, local business sponsorships and memberships, grants, the North Dakota Community Foundation, The North Dakota Council on the Arts and the North Dakota Humanities Council.
Our Board:
Jan Dodge-President
Jessie Veeder Scofield-Director
Daniel Stenberg-Treasurer
Maria Burkowski
Mark Clemons
Steven Jorgenson
Patsy Levang
Wendy Lough
Anna Schwartz
Terri Taylor
Kelby Timmons
Julia Walters-High School Representative
Lindsay Veeder
Deb Wisness
Jessie Veeder Scofield-Director
Daniel Stenberg-Treasurer
Maria Burkowski
Mark Clemons
Steven Jorgenson
Patsy Levang
Wendy Lough
Anna Schwartz
Terri Taylor
Kelby Timmons
Julia Walters-High School Representative
Lindsay Veeder
Deb Wisness