ABOUT THE NEW YORK MILLS REGIONAL CULTURAL CENTER
Building a Legacy of Arts in Rural Minnesota
On a mission to be a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts.
Who We Are
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center (legally the New York Mills Arts Retreat) is a multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to expanding cultural and creative opportunities for rural Americans. Founded in 1990 by John Davis, the Cultural Center is a place where art, ideas, and community thrive.
Located in the historic Finnish-founded town of New York Mills, MN, the Cultural Center offers a year-round calendar of arts programming, artist residencies, festivals, and community events—all designed to connect people through creativity. We have been cultivating the arts on Main Avenue for more than three decades.
Our Legacy & Impact
Since our inception in 1990, the Cultural Center has grown from a small rural arts initiative into a vibrant regional hub for creativity, connection, and lifelong learning. From the beginning and throughout our history, we have:
Welcomed hundreds of artists of all disciplines for uninterrupted time to create and connect with rural Minnesota through our Arts Retreat residency program (our original cornerstone).
Expanded arts learning opportunities beyond our walls and into schools, senior centers, and community spaces, ensuring access to creativity for all ages.
Sponsored annual festivals and community gatherings that celebrate art, culture, and local heritage.
Produced The Great American Think-Off (since 1993), a nationally recognized philosophy contest for the ordinary person.
The Cultural Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supported by memberships, donations, business sponsorships, foundation grants, and government funding. This vital support has sustained our mission for more than three decades.
OUR MISSION
To be a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts.
OUR VISION
To connect people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world.
OUR VALUES
Hospitality
Everyone is warmly welcomed and invited to use the resources available through the Center
Expansive understanding/role of the arts
To include visual, performing, literary & folk arts, as well as arts in wellness, health, justice & healing
Inclusivity
We create an environment of belonging in which each and every person feels valued and respected
Community
We value art and artists for the sake of strengthening and enriching the fabric of community life
Drawing sustenance from the local
The creative work of the Center is informed by where we live and work
Leadership
We understand our role in the community as actively promoting next-generation growth and social, cultural, and economic vitality
Meet Our Team
2026 Board Members
The volunteer Board of Directors of the Cultural Center actively participates in policy development for the Center, strategic planning, and financial oversight for the organization.
Latham Hetland
Chair, New York Mills
Read Latham's Bio
Latham Hetland has enjoyed serving on the Cultural Center board for nearly a decade. His diverse background of experience helps him enable connections at the Center and help focus on the future. Latham also serves as the Mayor of New York Mills and is a Vice President at Farmers & Merchants State Bank. Latham's favorite part of the Center is the people that work there and building friendships with staff, board members, volunteers, and artists.
Jennifer Parta
Vice Chair, Perham
Read Jennifer's Bio
Jennifer Parta’s involvement with the Cultural Center began in the 1990s when she returned home and joined the board, quickly developing a deep appreciation for its impact on rural Minnesota through creativity and connection. The Cultural Center holds special significance for Jennifer, as both her grandfather and father were involved in its early inception. She is proud to continue their legacy of service and community investment by once again serving on the board since 2020. Jennifer is also a Psychology Professor and leads the local NYM Backpack for Hunger program. She believes strong communities are built through relationships and compassionate action and is committed to advancing the Cultural Center’s mission and impact in the region.
Sarah Carlson
Secretary, New York Mills
Read Sarah's Bio
Sarah Carlson has been on the Cultural Center board since 2015 and has found an invaluable community in the other board members, staff and patrons of the Cultural Center. Sarah owns and operates Theisen Design Studios, a rural based commercial interior design studio and she spends her time balancing the magic of raising kids, clumsily attempting to capture every sunset she sees in a photo and trying to not overwhelm her husband with interesting facts she's learned from podcasts.
Kirstin Roberts
New York Mills
Read Kirstin's Bio
Kirstin Roberts has been a member of the Cultural Center board since 2015. She joined the board with a deep appreciation for the diversity, cultural experiences, and strong sense of community the Center brings to the area. This commitment grew even stronger after becoming a mother of two boys, as she wanted them to experience the richness of “big city” arts and culture in the small town she knows and loves. Kirstin is a social worker and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, attending her children’s activities and sporting events, reading, and enjoying sunsets by the lake.
Mindi Larson
Perham
Lynne Penke Valdes
Dalton
Christina Peeters Kickhafer
New York Mills
Read Christina's Bio
Christina was pleased to join the board in winter 2025. She currently is the Assistant Director at Roots and Wings Forest School and jointly runs the family’s greenhouse business in downtown Butler. Christina loves that the Cultural Center makes exceptional art experiences accessible across demographics and generations in a rural setting. Christina lives in Butler with her husband, two children and two trusty pooches. She enjoys reading, eating and independant political media.
Cyrus Bickell
Perham
Read Cyrus's Bio
Cyrus joined the board back in early 2025. He is currently the general manager and part owner of the Continental Divide Brew Pub next to the Cultural Center. Cyrus lives 10 miles north of Perham with his wife and son. When he isn't making pizza at the Divide he also enjoys wood working projects and building things with his hands such as his garden shed library or sauna he built this past winter. He also has a deep passion for the culinary arts and is hopeful that he can bring some creative and fun ideas to the center as an aspiring artist of all things food.
Leah Roberts-Veazie
New York Mills
Read Leah's Bio
Leah Roberts joined the Cultural Center board in 2025. She teaches English at New York Mills High School, coaches high school speech, and enjoys crocheting, reading and listening to novels, creative writing, and playing games on her Nintendo Switch. She lives with her husband, Jackson, their dog Wrigley, and their cat, Stella Marie. She is honored to be a member of the board, as she has grown up in the community and has long valued the Cultural Center’s celebration of local arts and culture.
Staff
Cultural Center staff members carry out the mission of the organization through program and activity planning and execution, and assist in making connections between artists and community members.
Betsy Roder
Executive Director
Read Betsy's Bio
Betsy Roder is a rural rebounder and has been the Executive Director of the Cultural Center since 2015. She has a BSBA in finance, an MBA, and 15 years of arts administration experience. Under Betsy’s leadership, the Cultural Center has thrived, increasing regional partnerships, expanding programs, and improving financial stability. Her passion for building authentic relationships and community connections along with her keen financial management has positioned the Cultural Center as a well-respected nonprofit arts organization in West Central MN.
Megan Shirley-Ross
Artistic Director
Read Megan's Bio
Megan Shirley-Ross is a working artist and lifelong maker who has been a teaching artist since 2013 and holds a BA in Fine Arts. Originally from Fargo, ND, she lived in Lubbock, TX for over a decade, where she owned and operated an instructional art studio teaching art and art history to makers ages 2–92, and became Artistic Director in 2025. She enjoys exploring creativity with others and is excited to build relationships while spreading a love for creative practice, makers, and making within the Cultural Center community.
Emily Ericksrud
Program Specialist
Read Emily's Bio
Emily Ericksrud is a New York Mills native with a lifelong passion for the arts and helping others. She began playing piano at age seven and later discovered a love for visual arts in high school. After earning a BA in psychology and working in the mental health field, Emily returned to her artistic roots and joined the Cultural Center as the Program Specialist in 2023. She enjoys welcoming visitors, building relationships with artists and members, and sharing the Cultural Center’s mission with the community.
Pam Mahling
Operations Specialist
Read Pam's Bio
Betsy Roder is a rural rebounder and has been the Executive Director of the Cultural Center since 2015. She has a BSBA in finance, an MBA, and 15 years of arts administration experience. Under Betsy’s leadership, the Cultural Center has thrived, increasing regional partnerships, expanding programs, and improving financial stability. Her passion for building authentic relationships and community connections along with her keen financial management has positioned the Cultural Center as a well-respected nonprofit arts organization in West Central MN.
Avery Perala
Program Assistant
Read Avery's Bio
Avery Perala has been a team member since 2023, starting while still in high school and continuing her work after graduation, during which she completed her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. She enjoys working to connect artists with the community and working behind the scenes to support the Cultural Center's mission.
Sofia Godinez Milantoni
Program Assistant
Read Sofia's Bio
Sofia Godinez Milantoni has been on the team since early 2025. She is currently still in high school and is hoping to continue her education after graduation. She loved participating in the Cultural Center's events when she was younger. Now, she enjoys working on the other side of the scene to support the Cultural Center's mission.
Lindsay Kennedy
Summer Arts Education Coordinator
Kip Peltoniemi
Maintenance
Jaime Kopveiler
Overflow Creative, Marketing & Design Contractor
Read Jaime's Bio
Overflow Creative is the photography and design studio of Jaime Kopveiler, proudly serving the New York Mills community and surrounding areas. Since 2021, Jaime has partnered with the Cultural Center to create promotional design and event photography that helps share its story and programs. A lifelong New York Mills resident, she is passionate about supporting the arts and the people who make this community feel like home.
Photos courtesy of overflow Creative and Impressions by Sarah Photography.
Proud Partners
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and compassion. We unequivocally condemn intolerance, racism, and all forms of hatred. We seek to listen and learn, and to amplify the voices of the under- and mis-represented. We approach this work with optimism, courage, and humility, knowing that we will make mistakes, learn, and adapt along the way.