Headwaters Music & Arts

Headwaters Music & Arts is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary center for the arts operating for over 30 years in the heart of downtown Bemidji, MN. We are home to a whole range of music lessons, art and pottery classes and events. We're proud of the impact we make in our community, but our participants describe it best.

"Many of the people I cherish today are people I met through Headwaters. It's been a feature in my children's lives since the time they were little. My son will be going to college for music and pursuing a career in music as a direct result of being a participant in Fiddle Camp when he was 5 years old. The same is true for his friends. [At Headwaters,] bands are formed, friendships are forged, families are connected in friendship and the arts, people learn skills that bring lifelong joy to them, and kids are exposed to things that expand their horizons, ignite their potential, and fire up their passions." 

and

"I'm happy that [Headwaters has] offerings to further people’s passions or even occasional interests. Someone could take one pottery class to make a pot for their deck or a kid who thinks they’re a rock star can join a rock band class and become one. There are scholarships to make it happen, for a wide range of people representing the community. And the classes and opportunities change each year in creative response to the community. All of this I feel keeps The Arts at the forefront of our community and validates the importance of art in our lives."

As an independent nonprofit organization guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and a pledge of fiscal responsibility, we seek to inspire creativity through music and art and thereby strengthen our organization and our programs. To accomplish our work, we are committed to the following values: 

Inclusion & Diversity No one misses out. We strive to create an environment in which the arts and arts education is accessible to all.

Empowerment Dreams come true here. We value our role as a caring, fun-loving and nurturing place to learn, teach, and grow.

Creativity & Innovation We imagine the possibilities. We meet the art and music needs of the community. We are committed to developing diverse funding sources to transform the imagined into reality.

Collaboration & Community Building  We are stronger together. We value relationships within our Headwaters family, with other arts organizations, and among our friends in the greater Bemidji community.

We at Headwaters Music & Arts - administrative and teaching staff, volunteers and board members, community partners and supporters - know that what we do matters. When you support us with your dollars, time, or ideas, you allow Headwaters Music & Arts to dream a little bigger. Join us in continuing this important work to transform lives through creativity and community!