40 Years in the Making: The NLAA Anniversary Silen

Step into four decades of creativity, community, and celebration with NLAA’s 40th Anniversary Silent Auction. This special event gathers treasures that reflect both the artistry and generosity of Ely and the greater Northwoods. From original artwork and cultural experiences to local dining and adventure packages, each item has been donated in honor of NLAA’s 40 years of making the arts live here.

Your bids do not just secure remarkable items. They invest in the next 40 years of theater, music, dance, and education in our community. Every dollar supports NLAA’s mission to bring professional productions, youth camps, and accessible arts programs to the Northwoods.

Celebrate the past. Invest in the future. Place your bid, and be part of the legacy.

We will be adding items as we approach the event so stay tuned!

Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA) is the creative heartbeat of Ely, Minnesota. Founded in 1986, NLAA has grown into a cornerstone of the rural arts ecosystem, producing professional Broadway-caliber musicals, youth theater camps, dance performances, concerts, and community arts events. Each season, NLAA engages more than 21,000 audience members, 300 artists, and dozens of local partners in programming that brings high-quality arts experiences to a region often overlooked by traditional arts infrastructure.

NLAA’s mission is simple and urgent: to ensure the arts are not a luxury reserved for urban centers, but a vital, living part of everyday life in the Northwoods. Through MainStage Productions, Northern Lakes Arts Academy, and Community Arts & Events, NLAA creates opportunities for connection, expression, and belonging. From Broadway in the Boundary Waters to free outdoor concerts in Whiteside Park, NLAA proves that art can thrive—and change lives—even at the edge of the wilderness.

As NLAA enters its 40th Anniversary Season, the organization is rooted in Ely, artistically brave in its programming, a leader among neighbors, and committed to inviting the possible. With bold vision and deep community trust, NLAA is building the next generation of rural arts leadership and ensuring that, here in Ely, Art Lives Here.

Celebrate NLAA’s 40th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at The Boathouse in Ely, MN.

• Event Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  
  
  
• Silent Auction Closes: 8:00 p.m. (in-person bidding ends)
  
  
  
• Location: The Boathouse Restaurant, 47 E Sheridan St, Ely, MN