About Us
We welcome all individuals who share an interest in the visual arts to join us in learning, sharing, socializing, and creating support for visual artists, fine craft persons, and musicians in Northwestern Wisconsin. The mission of the Burnett Area Arts Group is to foster and provide educational and creative opportunities through the visual arts in Burnett County and Northwest Wisconsin.
Burnett Area Arts Group, Inc., a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization, facilitates the needs of local and regional artists, craft-persons and patrons. We also encourage a working relationship with local, regional and state arts organizations.
The Northwest Passage Gallery is an innovative, multi-use community center and gallery developed in partnership between Northwest Passage and the Burnett Area Arts Group. The gallery showcases local artists' work in various mediums and is dedicated to creating a vibrant community through access to the visual arts.
The Northwest Passage Gallery building also features the InaNewLight Gallery, displaying photography created by youth attending Northwest Passage, a residential mental health treatment center for children.
History
Burnett Area Arts was established as a visual arts organization in 2004. In 2017, we received federal non-profit status. We strive to foster the visual arts in Northwest Wisconsin, to create a support network for area artists as well as a working relationship with local and regional arts organizations. We have established an excellent reputation in the area and continue to strive to achieve recognition for area artists and an understanding of their local economic impact. We also strive to educate area residents who may not otherwise be engaged by the arts within our community.
Our Members
Our organization includes formally trained artists, self-taught artists, fine crafters, and musicians. We have members who are seasonal, full-time, and those who are patrons of the arts. We welcome all artists to join us in learning, sharing, mentoring, and celebrating the visual arts in Northwest Wisconsin.
Student Scholarships
Burnett Area Arts has established a scholarship program for students pursuing higher education in a creative arts focus of study. BAA's 2025 scholarship program has grown and now offers four $1000 scholarships. High school seniors who reside in Burnett and Polk Counties are eligible to apply. In addition to traditional arts: painting, graphic design, theater, sculpture, etc., it can also be music, culinary arts, machine design, taxidermy, scriptwriting for film, and literary writing – there are countless creative professions that can qualify.
Applicants must supply a letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor and provide documentation of their final high school GPA of 2.5 or higher. The four $1000 scholarships will be awarded when the applicant has successfully completed one semester of higher education maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA
Applications are due on or before March 15, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be notified of the award on or before the 30th of April, 2025. Please email burnettareaarts.educ@gmail.com if you have questions.
Registration closed for 2024. Registration will reopen in 2025.
Amanda Klug
Piper Hicks
Sophia Anderson
Three area high school seniors receive arts scholarships
Burnett Area Arts (BAA) awarded $1,000 scholarships to each of three area high school seniors. The recipients are Amanda Klug, Webster High School; Piper Hicks and Sophia Anderson, Grantsburg High School. “We are thrilled to be able to increase the number and value of our scholarships from one $500 scholarship in the first year of our program to three one-thousand-dollar scholarships this year,” said Deb Norling, BAA fundraiser. “The support from our communities is awesome We especially thank the Webb Lake Community Center and Wolf Tree Wealth Management for their generous contributions.”
Amanda Klug has been accepted to St. Olaf College, Minnesota. She is a multi-skilled musician, playing saxophone and piano and a choral singer, having been chosen often to participate in state honors bands. Her scholarship was funded by a resident in honor of two long-time now retired teachers: Arlene Elliott and Carla Phillips. Klug plans to major in music education with an emphasis on teaching instruments. ‘Music has always been the backbone of my life.” She explains “With a music education degree, I have the opportunity to share my love for music and ignite that spark within others.”
Piper Hicks's creativity lies in the field of media arts and communications. She says pursuing a career in that arena will allow her to combine her love of sports and pursue advocacy for women’s sports. “Growing up, I never saw too many females working in the sports media industry, so being able to inspire other young girls like myself with a passion for sports and the arts would be a dream come true.
Sophia Anderson is the first in her family to go to college. She has applied to and been accepted at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, where she plans to pursue a major in art education with a minor in stage and screen arts. She has already started on her calling by working community service hours with youth ages six to nine on art-related projects and also served as a teacher’s assistant for middle school art classes.
The actual monies will be awarded after each student completes her first semester with a 2.5 or higher grade point average.
Donate to the Burnett Area Arts Scholarship Fund
Burnett Area Arts Group is a non-profit 501c(3) organization. Scholarships are funded by donations and raffles. Scholarship donations are specifically earmarked to benefit area students.
Summer Hours (April - September)
Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to
4 p.m.
Winter Hours (October - March)
Thursday - Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to
4 p.m.
CLOSED JANUARY
