Filling the Well
Filling the Well
Arts Midwest
Filling the Well is a podcast created to nourish, provoke, and inspire artists and arts leaders. Hear from creative changemakers as they share their takes on mental health, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, community well-being and much more. Filling the Well is a forum for dialogue, conversation, and learning. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Arts Midwest.
Centering Culture & Relationships as Arts Entrepreneurs
On this episode, Ojibwe artist entrepreneurs Khayman Goodsky and Chi Ma’iingan share their paths to establishing themselves as independent creatives. They talk about the importance of supportive relationships, challenging the norm, and being guided by their values as Native artists.
Jun 12, 2023
55 min
Community Supported Agri-Culture and Art Making
On this episode, Donna Neuwirth and Jay Salinas, co-founders of Wormfarm Institute in rural Wisconsin, share how curiosity, presence, and time have helped them learn more about their community. Their farm and its artist residency program continually intersect the “rural” and “urban,” exploring what it means to belong and take pride in a place.
May 30, 2023
40 min
Digging Into The Indian Arts And Crafts Act
On this episode, embark on a thought-provoking exploration as Native artist advocates Christina Woods and Graci Horne dig into the intricacies of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. This landmark truth-in-advertising law prohibits misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian arts and crafts, but many say that the legislation doesn’t go far enough to protect Native artists. 
May 16, 2023
54 min
Art & The Land
In this episode, hear from two Ojibwe artists whose creative practices are deeply connected to the land. Birchbark and quill artist Pat Kruse and water walker Sharon Day share their perspectives on the importance of having a reciprocal relationship with the natural environment and caring for community.
May 2, 2023
56 min
Music & Mental Health In Northern Minnesota
On this episode, we talk with Sam Miltich, a professional jazz guitarist from rural Minnesota who lives with schizophrenia. Sam shares how he’s found solace in nature and how he’s been able to balance his music career and mental health. Please note that this episode contains discussion about attempted suicide.
Apr 13, 2023
48 min
Resource Sharing & Authentic Community Collaborations
Have a challenge that needs a creative solution? Rural arts practitioners Ashley Hanson and Anne O’Keefe-Jackson have a simple idea: ask your neighbor! Learn about their collaborations and ideas to improve quality of life through resource-sharing. Spoiler, you can do it too! After the episode, go deeper into ways to test these approaches in your own community.
Mar 28, 2022
42 min
Advocating For The Arts
At a time when there’s so much need, how can we best advocate for the arts and make changes that last? For two leading advocates, Emily Ruddock and Michelle Ramos, the answer is to start by showing up for others first. After the episode, explore more about how you can shift to solidarity and make meaningful changes to improve everyday lives.
Mar 21, 2022
50 min
Building Belonging & Creating Welcoming Organizations
What does it mean to be a truly welcoming organization and how can arts leaders be more inclusive hosts who foster belonging? Dig into a discussion with two artists who regularly tackle these questions, Ananya Chatterjea and Marcus Young. After the episode, go deeper and explore tangible tools to apply in your own spaces in this article by Welcoming America.
Mar 14, 2022
44 min
Shifting Power Dynamics In Philanthropy
For any non-profit, funding is a perpetual worry. But what if philanthropy shifted power and encouraged organizations and communities to dream big? Explore trust-based funding models with two thought leaders, DeAnna Cummings and Tish Jones. After the episode, go deeper and consider how you could shift power and unlock creativity in your organization and beyond over in our Ideas Hub.
Mar 7, 2022
39 min
Resiliency, Self-Care, & Joy
Creativity can be an antidote to challenging times, but we can’t show up for our communities if we’re burnt out. Dive into the art of taking care of you with two radical self-care strategists, Dr. Joi Lewis and Joe Davis. After the episode, go deeper and explore ways to put self-care at the core of your organization’s culture in this article from Joe Davis.
Feb 28, 2022
37 min
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