Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA)

Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA) Inspiring creativity in Ely, MN! NLAA brings bold theater, transformative youth programs, and inclusive arts experiences to the Northwoods.

From the stage to the studio, we make art that connects, uplifts, and belongs to everyone. Find our offices in the Vermilion Community College or call us at (218) 365-5070

As the Ely School District starts their 4-day week schedule, NLAA is prepared to support families through collaboration ...
09/04/2026

As the Ely School District starts their 4-day week schedule, NLAA is prepared to support families through collaboration with ECR. Each Friday afternoon, Reflections Dance Company will offer Dance Sampler classes for youth. From 12:00-12:45 pm, students in grades 2-4 will experience creative movement, tap, and acro. Students in grades K-1 will have their turn from 1:00-1:45 pm. These classes will be held at the Ely Rec Center. The cost for each student is $90 for the full session which starts Sept. 11.
The regular RDC Fall Classes start on Sept. 28 with a range of classes offered.
Registration will be live on Sept. 1 on the website https://www.northernlakesarts.org/reflections-dance-company along with the option to pay online.

We’re turning 41. So we’re throwing out the gala playbook.No fancy tables. No silent auction. No need to dress up.Instea...
09/03/2026

We’re turning 41. So we’re throwing out the gala playbook.

No fancy tables. No silent auction. No need to dress up.

Instead, we’re taking over The Boathouse for a night of art, food, stories, surprises, and the people who make all of it possible.

Come eat. Have a drink. Meet someone new. Experience some art. And be there when we reveal what’s coming next for the arts in Ely.

This is The Art of Community.

Part 41st birthday party. Part 2027 season launch. Part community arts gathering. And definitely not a gala.

Best of all, you decide what it costs to come.

Saturday, October 17 | 6 PM
The Boathouse | Ely
All ages | Pay What You Can

Registration opens September 14.

Come be part of what happens next.

Live music on Burntside Lake. Food and b**r in the grass. A campfire concert after dark. This is Labor Day weekend in El...
09/02/2026

Live music on Burntside Lake. Food and b**r in the grass. A campfire concert after dark. This is Labor Day weekend in Ely.

Fest du Nord returns to Camp du Nord September 4–6, and Northern Lakes Arts Association couldn’t be more excited to help sponsor this hidden gem in the woods.

Saturday brings Jack Klatt, Roe Family Singers, Penny Peaches and Koo Koo, followed by a campfire concert and sing with Joe Mailander of the Okee Dokee Brothers.

Sunday features Follow the Firefly, Matt Wilson, Little Fevers and Laamar, followed by a family contra dance.

Friday night kicks it all off with Heartwood Trio presenting The Well Tree.

And Ely locals get a deal: use code ELYROCKS for discounted tickets.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Come hungry. Stay for the music.

If you’re deciding how to spend Labor Day weekend around Ely, don’t miss this one.

September 4–6
YMCA Camp du Nord, Burntside Lake

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/festdunord2026

You’ve been making the work. Maybe it’s time to put it forward.If you’re a writer or visual artist, three opportunities ...
09/01/2026

You’ve been making the work. Maybe it’s time to put it forward.

If you’re a writer or visual artist, three opportunities are open to support what you’re creating and help bring it into the life of our region.

Applications are now open for:

Literary Laureate of the North
For writers with a meaningful connection to Ely and Northern Minnesota.

Creative Spirit of the North
For an emerging visual artist ready for dedicated time, space, and support.

A Changing Landscape
For visual artists interested in exhibiting their work in Ely.

Each opportunity is different. You don’t need to decide from this post whether you’re the “right” artist. Read the criteria. See what fits. Put your work forward.

Applications close September 30, 2026.

Explore all three opportunities and apply⁠ at northernlakesarts.org/community

68 people said yes.In 15 days, 68 donors gave more than $17,500 to Northern Lakes Arts Association. We set out to raise ...
08/28/2026

68 people said yes.

In 15 days, 68 donors gave more than $17,500 to Northern Lakes Arts Association. We set out to raise $15,000 and unlock the full match. You got us there, and then you kept going. Thank you.

When we launched You Can Count on Us, we made five promises about the kind of organization we want to be for this community: gather people, create access, invest locally, adapt, and build trust. We asked you to help us keep those promises, and the response was bigger than I expected. I don’t take that lightly.

And it has us thinking even bigger about what comes next. This October, we’re going to gather with our community to celebrate everything we made possible together this year, share some pretty big plans for 2027, and announce our biggest commitment yet to making the arts accessible in Ely. We’ll tell you more about that soon.

For today, there is no ask. Just a very big thank you to the 68 people who gave, everyone who shared this campaign, and everyone who continues to show up for Northern Lakes Arts Association.

You can count on us.

Ian Francis Lah

Artists, this is for you.On September 1, Northern Lakes Arts Association opens applications for three opportunities for ...
08/26/2026

Artists, this is for you.

On September 1, Northern Lakes Arts Association opens applications for three opportunities for artists across visual and literary disciplines.

CREATIVE SPIRIT OF THE NORTH
$500 stipend + year-long studio residency.

A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
3 artists. 3 solo exhibitions. $500 stipend + weekend residency for each artist.

LITERARY LAUREATE OF THE NORTH
$1,000 unrestricted artist award.

Different disciplines. Different opportunities. One goal: putting resources directly into the hands of artists and giving them space to create, exhibit, connect, and grow.

Applications open September 1, 2026.

See all three opportunities and find application information at:

northernlakesarts.org/community

Know an artist who should see this? Send it their way.

We need a few good neighbors.NLAA is looking for new members to join our Board of Directors.You don’t need to be an arti...
08/25/2026

We need a few good neighbors.

NLAA is looking for new members to join our Board of Directors.

You don’t need to be an artist. You don’t need previous board experience.

We’re looking for people who care about Ely, believe the arts matter here, and are willing to bring their experience, perspective, and a little time to the table.

Our board helps shape NLAA’s direction, steward the organization, and connect our work back to the community we serve. It’s a working board, and it’s an opportunity to have a real hand in what comes next.

If you’ve ever thought, I’d like to be part of that, this might be your invitation.

Interested? Curious? Know someone we should talk to?

Email [email protected].

We’ve raised $9,300 for Northern Lakes Arts Association.That is 62% of the way to our $15,000 goal, and I’m pretty damn ...
08/24/2026

We’ve raised $9,300 for Northern Lakes Arts Association.

That is 62% of the way to our $15,000 goal, and I’m pretty damn grateful. Every one of those dollars represents someone deciding that having the arts here, in Ely, is worth investing in.

Now I’m asking for your help getting us the rest of the way.

I think Ely should be a place where ambitious artistic work can happen, where someone can walk through our doors regardless of what they can afford, and where a young person can discover that they are an artist without having to leave home to do it. Northern Lakes Arts Association can make the plans and do the work, but none of it happens unless this community decides it matters.

We have $5,700 left to raise to unlock the full $15,000 match.

If you’ve been thinking about giving, I hope you’ll make that gift today. $25 matters. $100 matters. Whatever makes sense for you gets us closer.

We can get there.

https://www.northernlakesarts.org/you-can-count-on-us

Artists: we want to put your work on the walls in Ely.Northern Lakes Arts Association is selecting three artists for A C...
08/21/2026

Artists: we want to put your work on the walls in Ely.

Northern Lakes Arts Association is selecting three artists for A Changing Landscape, our 2027 visual arts season.

Selected artists will receive a three-month solo exhibition at the Ely Area Community Hub, a three-day artist residency in Ely, Minnesota, and a $500 artist stipend.

There is no application fee.

A Changing Landscape explores our relationship with a natural world that is constantly changing. Interpret that broadly. We’re interested in seeing where artists take it.

During their time in Ely, selected artists will teach a public art class and propose another way to engage with the community.

You don’t need a finished exhibition to apply. Submit five work samples and tell us about the work you’d like to show.

Local artists are encouraged to apply, too. Artists at all stages of their careers are welcome.

Applications close September 30 at 12 PM.

Apply at northernlakesarts.org/artshows

What’s on your mind, Ely?On Saturday, September 19, I’ll be at Brainstorm Bakery from 9:30–11:30 AM for the first State ...
08/20/2026

What’s on your mind, Ely?

On Saturday, September 19, I’ll be at Brainstorm Bakery from 9:30–11:30 AM for the first State of the Arts.

This isn’t a presentation or a meeting. I’m setting aside the morning to be available.

Want to talk about the arts in Ely? Have a question about NLAA? An idea you think we should hear? Come find me.

Stay for ten minutes or pull up a chair and stay awhile.

State of the Arts
Saturday, September 19
11 AM - 12:30 PM
Brainstorm Bakery

No appointment. Just grab a coffee and come say hello.

Ian Lah
Executive Artistic Director
Northern Lakes Arts Association

Address

1900 E Camp Street
Ely, MN
55731

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 10pm
Tuesday 9am - 10pm
Wednesday 9am - 10pm
Thursday 9am - 10pm
Friday 9am - 10pm
Saturday 9am - 10pm
Sunday 9am - 10pm

Telephone

+12182359937

Website

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