Nik Nerburn (b. Bemidji, MN, 1989) is an artist living and working in Minneapolis. His cross-disciplinary photos, films, installations, and sculptures reflect his passion for people’s histories and stories from places that are “off the map”. His wide-ranging work addresses urgent subjects like toxic masculinity and the rural-urban divide, while also centering craft, generosity, trust, and humor.
Drawing from the collaborative traditions of puppetry and documentary filmmaking, he works with amateur genealogists, community archivists, neighborhood clubs, small town philosophers, and little museums.
He is the recipient of a 2018 Jerome Foundation Film and Video Production Grant, and he has been supported by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, ArtPlace America, and Springboard For The Arts. He holds an M.F.A. from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and a B.A. from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA.
Contact: datanodata@gmail.com
Education
2023. Master of Fine Arts, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
2018. Artists Working in Community Training, Springboard for the Arts, Fergus Falls, MN.
2013. Bachelor of Arts, Emphasis in History and Documentary Filmmaking, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA.
2007. Graduate, Perpich Center for Arts Education. Emphasis in Media Arts, Golden Valley, MN.
Select Solo Exhibitions
2023
Invoke Any Magic You Have, New London Little Theatre, New London, MN
The Old Longing Camp, Nicolet College, Rhinelander, WI
Professional Experience
2023-2024. Photography Instructor, Breck School, Minneapolis, MN
2023. Introduction to Photography instructor of record, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2022. Visiting Artist, Kunstakademie Kalrsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
2020-2023. Teacher’s Assistant, University of Minnesota Art Department
2020-2022. Studio assistant, Chris Larson, St. Paul
2014. Studio assistant, Craig Baldwin, Other Cinema, San Francisco, CA
2013-14. Intern, Canyon Cinema, San Francisco, CA
2012. Intern, The Evergreen State College Film Collection, Olympia, WA
Residencies, Grants, Community Engagement
2021. Judd Fellow, University of Minnesota
2019. Artist in Residence, Crystal Creek Citizen Artist Residency, Houston, MN
2018. Jerome Foundation Fellowship in Film/Video
2018. Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Career Development Grant
2018. ArtPlace America Community Development Investment Program project grant
2017. Presenter, Alliance of Artist Communities Conference, Denver, CO
2017. Artist in Residence, Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN
2016. Artist in Residence, New York Mills Kulcher Center, New York Mills, MN
2015. Artist in Residence, Hinge Arts, Fergus Falls, MN
2014. Artist, Northern Spark