Summary
Organization name
Northern Lakes Arts Association
Tax id (EIN)
36-3485240
Categories
Arts & Culture , Education , Community
LGBTQ+ Serving
LGBTQ+ Serving
Address
1900 E. Camp St.Ely, MN 55731
Northern Lakes Arts Association
1
match
Live
$1,900 raised by 8 donors
4% complete
$50,000 Goal
About
Donation Perks
Help keep theater, art camps, and classes within reach in Ely.
In 2027, Northern Lakes Arts Association will offer pay-what-you-can tickets at every performance, sliding-scale classes, and additional youth scholarship support. We’re asking for your help to fund that commitment and the artists and programs people come here to experience.
Our Give to the Max goal is $50,000. We have $25,000 in matching gifts available. Help us raise the other $25,000 by November 19.
Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar while matching funds remain.
Give today to NLAA through our Give to the Max page!
Prefer to give directly through NLAA? Gifts through either option count toward our campaign.
Click here to give through NLAA's Donation Page!Fund affordable tickets and classes for 2027
During our 2026 production of Jesus Christ Superstar, an audience member described what pay-what-you-can admission meant for their group:
“It made the show accessible to a bunch of us local seasonal workers who otherwise probably wouldn’t be able to afford to see a theatre piece like this. It really boosted all of our spirits during this hard week! Thank you!!”
Audience member, Jesus Christ Superstar, 2026
NLAA’s Universal Access Plan builds on that experience. In 2027, it will provide:
Two entirely pay-what-you-can performances per production.
20 pay-what-you-can seats at every other performance, giving people more dates to choose from.
Sliding-scale classes, with no questions asked.
Additional youth scholarship funding, building on the support that helps children attend art camps and classes.
$10,000 in community donations will meet a dedicated $10,000 match, funding the full $20,000 plan for 2027.
Bring the 2027 season to Ely
$15,000 in matching gifts, paired with $15,000 in community donations, will provide $30,000 for NLAA’s 2027 season and programs.
Broadway in the Boundary Waters brings local performers and visiting professional artists together in Ely. Our 2027 season, Here. Now. Together., includes Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Misérables, Madagascar Jr., and Hadestown: Teen Edition.
Your gift helps pay artists and cover rehearsals, costumes, sets, and technical work. It also supports Greenstone Art Camp, Reflections Dance Company performances, Ely City Band concerts, exhibitions at the Ely Area Community Hub, and literary workshops.
“I’ve become so proud of this community, telling my friends who live elsewhere how vibrant and wonderful living here is.”
2026 Community Impact Survey respondent
Friendships beyond the rehearsal room
“As a parent, watching our daughter and her friends work on this show was so rewarding. The sense of belonging that was created transcends the theater space, and has really bonded the kids in new and beautiful ways. Thank you NLAA!!”
Parent, Mean Girls High School Edition, 2026
Your support helps young performers spend time learning from working artists and preparing a production together.
What an evening out can mean
“I’m a caregiver for a family member and attending an NLAA event (especially theater) inspires me and takes my mind off my concerns & responsibilities. It lifts me up.”
2026 Community Impact Survey respondent
In 2026, NLAA recorded 12,500+ ticketed admissions, 5,500+ additional arts visits, and more than $52,000 paid to artists. Admissions and visits include people returning throughout the year.
Help meet the match by November 19
$25 becomes $50. $100 becomes $200. Give any amount to support the Universal Access Plan and NLAA’s 2027 season. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar while matching funds remain.
If giving isn’t possible this year, sharing helps. Send this page to a friend with a note about seeing Oklahoma!, watching your child perform, or taking an NLAA class.
Your Gift at Work
Every gift supports the Universal Access Plan and NLAA’s 2027 season. These examples show the work you help fund.
Help keep pay-what-you-can seats available for Broadway in the Boundary Waters.
Help offer sliding-scale arts classes so participants can choose a price that fits their budget.
Help pay teaching artists for instruction and preparation for Stars of the North theater camps and Northern Lakes Arts Academy classes.
Help cover costumes, sets, and technical work for productions including Les Misérables and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Support rehearsal time and artist mentorship for young performers in Madagascar Jr. and Hadestown: Teen Edition.
Help pay the local and visiting professional artists who perform and teach through Broadway in the Boundary Waters.
(This level helps sustain artist wages and attracts professionals to rural stages.)
Help fund a substantial share of the campaign’s $50,000 goal for affordable participation and NLAA’s 2027 season.
Thank you for helping keep this work here in Ely.
Giving Activity
Media gallery
Organization Data
Ely, MN 55731