Room to Create

Earlier this year, we asked our creative community to help us make our vision of affordable student & artist lodging a reality and something remarkable happened.

You came together and we raised $225,000 to purchase a Ella's Inn. Now that little inn next door will become affordable lodging for visiting artists, instructors, and students.

We are up and running and welcoming initial guests into Ella's Inn. Our first students will arrive for stays beginning in mid-August. To learn more about booking, visit grandmaraisartcolony.org/about/lodging.

Together, we made it happen. We succeeded and now we're finishing what we started.

To make this space truly serve our mission, we need to complete essential renovations that will allow us to offer lodging at rates well below market cost.

Some of the projects that will be completed are:
- Installation of a radon mitigation system.
- Installation of a small kitchen in the basement apartment so that we can offer that space as long-term housing.
- Updating signage and systems inside and outside of Ella's Inn
- Reconfiguring our website to upgrade the reservation system and integrate it into our enrollment system.

 Our goal is to keep Grand Marais accessible to emerging artists, lifelong learners, and creative voices who might otherwise be priced out.

We believe that everyone, regardless of age or income bracket, deserves opportunities to express their creative selves and that through that expression we will create stronger, healthier, and happier communities.

We're calling this Room to Create because that's exactly what you're helping provide. Not just rooms, but the ability for artists to learn, connect, experiment, and grow.

The community made this possible.

Now we're asking for one final push to turn a successful acquisition into a lasting resource for generations of artists to come.

Thank you to our supporters!