Linda Christman
As the Executive Director of Bismarck Arts and Galleries Association (BAGA), Linda Christman is involved in a lot of community fundraising, and she is very good at it. During her almost 15 year tenure, the organization has completed numerous projects and capital campaigns. There are too many to list, but include replacement of doors and windows, updating of lighting and carpeting as well as payment of their mortgage, leaving them debt free.
“Funding is a constant challenge for non-profits, especially for the arts,” said Christman. “It is easier to give to an organization that helps medical problems and victims of violent crimes. They are all worthy causes.”
Christman’s previous position was in the performing arts, in Fargo, and she feels the experience with costumes, lighting and design tie in nicely with what she does at BAGA. “We do a lot of events, and constantly need to come up new ideas, so people can have fun,” she said.
Probably the most well known and popular event is the The Capital A’fair, held every August on the state capitol grounds. This year it will take place August 2nd & 3rd. “It takes about eight months to put together,” said Christman. “We start lining everything up in January and every year we try to bring in at least one new attraction, such as the chalk artist.”
The Festival of the Arts (in November) and The Wine Taste (in March) are BAGA’s next largest fundraisers, respectively. BAGA kicks off ‘summer’ with a Kentucky Derby party in May. It is a fun afternoon of food, mint juleps, mock wagering on the horses and of course, a hat contest. In July there will be a garden party, featuring works from several artists at a private residence as well as a co-ed volleyball tournament, which grows larger every year.
A couple of years ago they did an arts tour to the western part of the state, and Christman hinted there may be one in the works for this fall. “It was a fun bus trip,” she said. “We traveled to Robin Reynold’s (Dacotah Clayworks studio in Hebron), Tama Smith’s (Prairie Fire Pottery) studio in Beach and stayed at the Richardton Abbey. We may do the Fargo Art Crawl, or go into South Dakota.”
BAGA features new artists in their gallery on a monthly basis. They have a store and a classroom so they can offer classes throughout the year.
You do not have to be a member to attend any of BAGA’s functions. For more information, stop by their office at 422 East Front, call 223.5986 or visit bismarck-art.org.
May 27 – June 25, Robert Schwieger & Greta Nelson, gallery
June 20 – Registration for 3rd Square Foot Show due
July 1-27 – Fiber Artists Donna Kjonaas and Vicki Kessler, gallery
July 17– Garden Party July 19- Co-ed Volleyball Tournament
August 2 & 3 – Capital A’fair August 5-29 – 3rd Annual Square Foot Show, gallery