EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org/youth-ballet-2025-2026/

FEE: PreK-Kdg: $80 per session, 1st-3rd Grades: $100 per session (2 spots in each class will be offered as full scholarship spots)

Youth Ballet at the Cultural Center: Fall 2025 & Spring 2026

Youth Ballet Classes Return!
Fall 2025 & Spring 2026
8-Week Sessions
Weekly on Wednesdays

We are excited to once again offer Youth Ballet through a partnership with instructor Leona Cichy at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center on Wednesday afternoons for youth starting in Pre-K (age 4) through 3rd Grade.

Students will learn basic ballet techniques in a fun and encouraging class environment. Classes will be offered on Wednesdays in the upstairs dance studio at the Cultural Center (accessible only by stairs).

Times / Age Groups / Fees:

• 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – PreK-Kdg, $80 per session

• 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. – 1st-3rd Grades, $100 per session

Dates – Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 Sessions:

Both a Fall Session and Spring Session will be held; each is 8 weeks and will culminate in a short recital (details TBD). Classes held on Wednesday afternoons, on the following dates:

• Fall 2025 Session: Wednesdays, October 15 – December 3, 2025

• Spring 2026 Session: Wednesdays, February 4 – April 1, 2026 (NO CLASS 3/18/26)

Registration & Payment:

Limited spots to ensure small class sizes; 12 students per class/age group. Full session payment is required to guarantee your spot.

NEW THIS YEAR: 2 spots in each class will be offered as full scholarship spots. Please contact leona@rwfsmn.org if interested.

EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org/teen-art-club/

FEE: Free

NYMRCC Teen Art Club

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center

All New – 2025 Kick-Off
Open to ALL Teens ages 13-18
Free to Attend
YOU Belong Here!

🎨 Hey Teen Artists & Makers! 💡
Looking for a creative crew? Join the Teen Art Club at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center!

We’re launching a fun, welcoming, and safe space for teens to share ideas, learn new skills, and explore open-studio artmaking together. Whether you paint, draw, sculpt, sew, film, or just love to make cool stuff — you belong here. 

Following our intro meeting held in November 2026, the group decided on the following schedule for 2026. Adjustments may be made as we move forward.

• Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 4:30–6:00 PM | Guided Workshop/Group Meeting

• Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Volunteer Hours

• Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Volunteer Hours

• Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Come + Go Open Studio Hours

• Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM | Guided Workshop/Group Meeting

• Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Come + Go Open Studio Hours

• Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM | Guided Workshop/Group Meeting

• Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Come + Go Open Studio Hours

• Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM | Guided Workshop/Group Meeting

• Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 4:00 – 6:30 PM | Come + Go Open Studio Hours

• Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM | Guided Workshop/Group Meeting

As we work together to establish this group, participants will:

• 💬 Review the Community Contract

• 🙌 Learn about volunteer opportunities

• 🎉 Brainstorm activities and projects they’d like to explore

• 🍿 Enjoy FREE snacks

All teens in the region, ages 13-18, are invited to come and make art, make friends, and help shape a new creative community for teens at the Cultural Center!

EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org/think-off/the-great-american-think-off/

FEE: Free to apply

Call for Submissions / Contest / Live Debate

Great American Think-Off 2026:
Essay Contest + Live Debate

2026 Think-Off Question:
Is the pursuit of happiness making Americans unhappy?

The Great American Think-Off is a national philosophy contest and celebration of civil discourse, now in its 33rd year. Each year, people from across the country submit short essays responding to a timely question rooted in everyday life.

The 2026 question invites reflection and spirited debate on American culture, well-being, and what it truly means to live well today:

Is the pursuit of happiness making Americans unhappy?

Four essay finalists will be selected to travel to New York Mills, Minnesota for a weekend of community and conversation, culminating in a live debate for the title of America’s Greatest Thinker.

Key Dates

✅ Essay Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
✅ Finalists Announced: May 1, 2026
✅ Live Think-Off Debate: Saturday, June 13, 2026 (second Saturday in June)

Essay Guidelines

• Length: Up to 750 words

• Take a clear position on the question

• Root your response in personal experience

• No fee to enter

Finalist Support / Prize

Each finalist receives:

• $500 cash prize

• Travel reimbursement, lodging, and meals

• Chance to compete in the live debate on June 13, 2026

How to Submit

Submit your essay by April 1, 2026:

• Online: think-off.org (submission page available via kulcher.org/think-off/submit-your-essay)

• Email: info@kulcher.org

• Mail: NYMRCC, PO Box 246, New York Mills, MN 56567

More Info

Website: think-off.org
Phone: 218-385-3339

EVEN LINK: https://www.kulcher.org/yoga-nymrcc-winter-spring-2026/

FEE: Varies— see link for details

Yoga @ NYMRCC | Winter–Spring 2026

3 Class Options: Gentle, Accessible Yoga For All
February – May 2026

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to welcome yoga back for the Winter/Spring 2026 season with instructor Bobbi Jo Hamilton of Northwoods Velvære Studio.

This season offers multiple ways to participate — including a regular weekly Friday class, a 7-week low-cost Wednesday series, and a monthly chair-supported option — all rooted in body awareness, choice, and nervous system support.

Bobbi Jo brings a somatic, body-centered approach that blends gentle movement, mindful breath, and self-compassion. With a background as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and experienced yoga teacher, she creates a calm, welcoming space where students are encouraged to listen to their bodies and move at their own pace.

Weekly & Monthly Offerings Include:

• Wednesday Body-Led Yoga Flow
  Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 pm | Feb 11–Mar 25, 2026 (7-week session)
  $5 community rate — a great way to try yoga midweek

• Friday Body-Led Yoga Flow
  Fridays, 10:00–11:00 am | Feb 6–May 29, 2026 (steady weekly practice Feb-May)
  Gentle, mindful movement to support balance, mobility, and nervous system regulation

• Gentle Chair-Supported Movement (Monthly)
  Second Friday of the month, 8:00–9:00 am | Feb–May 2026
  4 sessions: Feb 13, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 8
  $10 drop-in community rate

Punch cards offer flexible attendance across regularly scheduled classes. Drop-ins are also welcome if space allows.

No prior yoga experience is needed. All bodies and abilities are welcome.

FEE: $20 Non-Member | $17 Member

Morning with Megan Series

Spring Workshops Feb – May 2026
Register Today!

Join us this spring at the Cultural Center as our new “Morning with Megan” workshop series continues! Morning with Megan is a monthly creative series held on the second Saturday of each month, offering new projects and creative inspiration throughout the year.

2026 Morning with Megan Spring Series:

• Saturday, February 14 – Victorian Puzzle Purse Workshop @ Hygge Market – Drop-ins welcome!

• Saturday, March 14 – Mixed Media Celtic Rabbits 

• Saturday, April 11 – Painted Wood Folks Eggs

• Saturday, May 9 – Needle Felted Landscapes

Come learn with us this season! Click below to register for each class online, or call us at:
218-385-3339.

Workshops take place at the Cultural Center, in the upstairs studio (accessible only by stairs; call 218-385-3339 if accommodations are needed). We kindly request that you pre-register so we can plan adequately. Click the links below to sign up today, or call 218-385-3339 with any questions.

Please note: Arts Learning Workshops (and all Cultural Center events!) are always open to ALL — you do NOT need to be a member to attend. However, members DO help support us financially and as our way of saying thanks, members receive a discount on many workshops and performing arts events!

EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org/in-the-gallery-conversations-with-nature/

FEE: Free & open to the public

Conversations with Nature | Group Exhibition

featuring Laura Grisamore, Dawn Rossbach, and Jeremy Simonson

Location: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN
Exhibition Dates: Tuesday, February 24 – Saturday, March 28, 2026
Reception: Saturday, March 7 | 1–3 pm | Free and open to the public

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center (NYMRCC) is pleased to present Conversations with Nature, a group exhibition featuring art and photography by Laura Grisamore, Dawn Rossbach, and Jeremy Simonson of Studio 176 in Park Rapids, Minnesota. The exhibition will be on view from February 24 through March 28, 2026.

Conversations with Nature explores the varied and personal ways artists engage with the natural world. Through both fine art and photography, the three artists present unique perspectives on landscape, detail, light, and environment. Their work invites viewers to pause, observe closely, and reflect on the connections between creativity and place.

While each artist brings a distinct style and medium, the exhibition is unified by a shared spirit of curiosity and response to nature — capturing moments, moods, and textures that might otherwise go unnoticed.

A public reception will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about their work and creative processes.

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center continues its mission to connect community and the arts through accessible exhibitions, events, and educational programming.

The NYMRCC Gallery is always free to see and open to all, thanks to the generous support of members and donors. Gallery Hours are Tuesdays 10am-5pm, Wednesday & Thursdays 10am-7pm, Fridays 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 10am-3pm. Donations are always welcome to support continued operations.

For more information, visit www.kulcher.org or contact Megan Shirley-Ross, Artistic Director at 218-385-3339 or megan@kulcher.org.

FEE: Free & Open to all teens

NYMRCC Teen Art Club

Open to ALL Teens ages 13-18
Free to Attend
YOU Belong Here!

The Teen Art Club at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a creative, supportive program designed for teens ages 13–18 who are interested in art, making, and community engagement. This program provides a safe and welcoming environment where teens can build creative skills, connect with peers, and explore artistic interests in a structured yet flexible setting.

Program Overview

Teen Art Club offers a mix of guided workshops, open studio time, and volunteer opportunities. Teens are encouraged to take an active role in shaping the group’s activities while being supported by Cultural Center staff and visiting artists.

Guided workshops and group meetings are generally led by Artistic Director Megan Shirley-Ross, with the possibility of future sessions facilitated by Teen Art Club members or visiting artists. These sessions may include guided art projects, discussion, skill-building, and planning future activities.

Safety & Community Expectations

Teen Art Club is a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space. To help ensure a respectful and supportive environment for all participants, all teens and their parents/guardians are required to review and sign a Community Contract prior to participation. This contract outlines expectations around behavior, respect, and shared responsibility within the space

Teen Art Club Schedule

Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM
Guided Workshop / Group Meeting

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 PM
Come-and-Go Open Studio

Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM
Guided Workshop / Group Meeting

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 PM
Come-and-Go Open Studio

Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 PM
Guided Workshop / Group Meeting

Please note: As a teen-informed and evolving program, dates and formats may adjust as the group grows.

FEE: Free & Open to all

Window to the World: Finland 2026

Upcoming Experiences & Workshops

• Thursday, April 16: Finnish Workshop: Finnish Flower Applique Pillows
  With Megan Shirley-Ross @ NYMRCC
  5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 13: Exploratory: Finnish Stamped Tea Towels at Elevate OTC, Perham
  Collaboration with Elevate OTC
  1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
  @ Elevate OTC, 318 6th Ave SW, Perham, MN 56573, USA
  Registration Required: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

• Wednesday, May 20: Celebrating Cultures   
  Collaboration with Niijii Radio
  4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  @ NYM Sculpture Park

EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org

FEE: Free

CALL FOR ART: Before We Were Happy

Adult Annual Regional Art Show

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN

Exhibition: May 26 – July 4

Inspired by the 2026 Great American Think-Off question:

Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?

This exhibition explores nostalgia—was the past truly happier, or is that a myth shaped by privilege, exclusion, and selective memory?

We’re seeking visual work that:

• Questions idealized histories

• Challenges nostalgia as comfort or denial

• Explores who happiness was (or wasn’t) for

• Reimagines happiness as evolving, complex, or hard-won

All visual media welcome: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, installation & mixed media.

Submit:

Up to 2 works

Ready to display (framed)

Optional artist statement (250 words) + bio (100 words)

Include medium, size, year, and price (if for sale. Please note NYMRCC retains a standard 30% commission of all gallery sales)

Drop-off: May 19–21

24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, MN 56567

info@kulcher.org | 218-385-3339

Key Question:

Was happiness something we lost or something we were never all allowed to have?