Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant for Organizations

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$6,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Bemidji State University AKA Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
October 2016
End Date
August 2017
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Beltrami
Cass
Clearwater
Dakota
Goodhue
Hennepin
Hubbard
Itasca
Polk
Ramsey
St. Louis
Sherburne
Washington
Anoka
Beltrami
Cass
Clearwater
Dakota
Goodhue
Hennepin
Hubbard
Itasca
Polk
Ramsey
St. Louis
Sherburne
Washington
Project Overview
Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant for Organizations
Project Details
Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Joe Allen: photographer, college professor; Sandra Roman: retired art teacher, author; Jane Merschman: retired teacher, theater artist; Joanne Kellner: community arts organizer; Jill Johnson: author; Susan Olin: musician; Laura Dropps: visual artist; Natalie Grosfield: Theater Artist; Laura Grisamore: photographer; Corryn Trask: musician.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Joe Allen: photographer, college professor; Sandra Roman: retired art teacher, author; Jane Merschman: retired teacher, theater artist; Jill Johnson: author; Joanne Kellner: community arts organizer; Harold White, Jr: Anishinaabe Arts Initiative council member; Laura Dropps: visual artist; Laura Grisamore: photographer; Corryn Trask: musician.
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 ACHF Arts Education

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$6,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$73,250
Direct expenses
$79,250
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

As a result of Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference's effort to bring professional writers/teachers to Bemidji to deliver a high quality literary experience to our outstate community, Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference will broaden a diverse group of over 100 attendees’ awareness, knowledge and appreciation of creative writing and the literary arts. In addition, as a result of Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference's ongoing effort to document aspects of the conference online, we will reach a broader national audience and enhance the cultural and artistic stature of the Bemidji area. Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference uses registration questionnaires, informal interviews, video interviews, event surveys, exit surveys, and evaluations. Evaluation forms (developed in collaboration with members of Bemidji State University’s social work and psychology departments) are distributed at conference end. They remain anonymous and we have nearly 100% compliance. We scan and compile to disseminate to our planning committee. Responses tend to be overwhelmingly positive. We use suggestions for planning and evaluation.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Based on 47 surveys of our workshop participants, the conference was a success with high marks for workshops, craft talks, and the reading series. Auditor and faculty surveys were also very positive. We read these surveys carefully and consider all suggestions. For instance, there were some problems in the fiction workshop due to different experience levels. Housing was okay with some problems. Food received low marks, a situation we struggle with due to our contractual duty to Aramark at BSU.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Larry Swain, Colleen Greer, Monte Hegg, Lynn Johnson, Angie Gora
Project Manager
First Name
Mathew
Last Name
Hawthorne
Organization Name
Bemidji State University AKA Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Street Address
1500 Birchmont Dr NE Ste 23
City
Bemidji
State
MN
Zip Code
56601-2699
Phone
(218) 308-1180
Email
writersconference@bemidjistate.edu
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
Location

PO Box 693
505 Bemidji Ave N
Bemidji, MN 56619

Phone
Project Manager: Laura Seter
(218) 751-5447
Email the Agency