The North Dakota Council on the Arts, a branch of the North Dakota state government, provides grants to local artists and groups such as the Trollwood Performing Arts School and the Annual United Tribes Indian Art Expo; encourages visits by outof-state artists and exhibitions; and provides information and other services to the general public.
The historic Fargo Theater present live theatrical performances as well as films and sponsors the annual Fargo Film Festival. Fargo is also the center for the Fargo-Moorhead Opera and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony. The Northern Plains Ballet is based in Bismarck but tours to Sioux Falls, Fargo, Billings, and Grand Forks.
Two popular musical events are the Old Time Fiddlers Contest (at Dunseith in June) and the Medora Musical (Medora, June through Labor Day); the latter features Western songs and dance.
In 2003, the North Dakota Council of the Arts and other North Dakota arts organizations received grants totaling $609,100 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The state also provided the council with funding. The North Dakota Humanities Council was established in 1973. In 2000, the National Endowment for the Humanities contributed $596,714 to 12 state programs. The state offers arts education to approximately 14,000 schoolchildren.