Arts Access

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$46,375
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
VocalEssence
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
November 2015
End Date
October 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Arts Access
Project Details
VocalEssence will expand a new program, Vintage Voices, to provide 100 seniors at four local senior centers and assisted living facilities access to quality choral music with professional musicians.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher; Wendy Dayton: Arts and community leader and philanthropist.; Sean Dowse, Executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Music Coalition, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; David Glenn: Executive director of the Minnesota Project, ceramic artist; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Private equity manager; board chair, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Kjellgren Alkire: Artist and researcher; faculty member, Winona State University; Heather Allen: Program officer, Central Minnesota Arts Board; Lorene Bruns: Arts adminstrator, Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre; Melissa Cuff: Grant writer for Saint Paul College and the Friends of Saint Paul College Foundation; Katherine Dodge: Retired executive director, Itasca Orchestra and Strings program; board chair, Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission; Joanna Kohler: Filmmaker and Media producer, community storytelling; Summer Scharringhausen: Program manager, MacRostie Art Center; painter and multimedia artist; Anat Shinar: Instructor, Young Dance; independent project manager, Walker Art Center
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2015 Special Session, chapter 2, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$46,375
Other Funds Leveraged
$6,763
Direct expenses
$53,138
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

One hundred people from four under-served elder community sites will participate in Vintage Voices, and will report improved mental health benefits. Improve Group Consulting, an independent consultant, and VocalEssence staff will utilize both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools including interviews, surveys and statistical tracking. 2: Vintage Voices will provide a quality experience to the community because barriers to participation—including cost, mobility, and access to highly-trained artists—are mitigated. Improve Group Consulting, an independent consultant, and VocalEssence staff will utilize both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools including interviews, surveys and statistical tracking.

Measurable Outcome(s)

100 people from four under-served elder communities participated in Vintage Voices, and reported improved mental and physical health benefits. To assess the program’s major achievements, The Improve Group conducted interviews with activity directors from each choir host site. Choir members provided feedback during wrap-up sessions, after the final performance, and after attending a VocalEssence concert. In the first weeks of rehearsal, members were asked about their reasons for joining the choir in order to help determine whether the benefits they received matched the goals they had at the beginning of the choir experience. 2: Vintage Voices removed the barriers of cost, mobility, and access to participation, allowing an under-served community to participate in the arts. To assess the program's major achievements, The Improve Group conducted interviews with activity directors from each choir host site. Choir members provided feedback during wrap-up sessions, after the final performance, and after attending a VocalEssence concert. In the first weeks of rehearsal, members were asked about their reasons for joining the choir in order to help determine whether the benefits they received matched the goals they had at the beginning of the choir experience.

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Steve Aggergaard, Mary Ann Aufderheide, Julie Bader, Ann Barkelew, Traci V. Bransford, Philip Brunelle, Roma Calatayud-Stocks, Julie Henderson Craven, Debbie Estes, Ann Farrell, Rick Ford, Wayne Gisslen, Art Kaemmer, M.D., Joseph Kalkman, David L. Mona, Fred Moore, David Myers, Nancy F. Nelson, James Odland, Kathryn Roberts, Cay Shea Hellervik, Robert C. Smith, Timothy Takach, Jenny Wade, Dorene Wernke, Jacob Wolkowitz
Project Manager
First Name
Elissa
Last Name
Weller
Organization Name
VocalEssence
Street Address
1900 Nicollet Ave
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55403
Phone
(612) 547-1451
Email
elissa@vocalessence.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency