Arts Tour Minnesota

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$22,200
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Bemidji State University AKA Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
June 2016
End Date
June 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Beltrami
Carlton
Cass
Clay
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hennepin
Hubbard
Itasca
Le Sueur
Mille Lacs
Ramsey
St. Louis
Washington
Anoka
Beltrami
Carlton
Cass
Clay
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Hennepin
Hubbard
Itasca
Le Sueur
Mille Lacs
Ramsey
St. Louis
Washington
Project Overview
Arts Tour Minnesota
Project Details
The Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference will bring award-winning writers of national stature to present craft talks and readings and teach weeklong workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in Bemidji.
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; 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: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Andrea Cheney: Interim managing director, Bedlam Theatre; Ann Fee: Executive director, Arts Center of Saint Peter; teaching artist, writer, editor, and instructor; Jamil Jude: Freelance theater director and producer; Jennie Knoebel: Executive director, Austin Area Commission for the Arts; Stacy Richardson: Writer, editor, and music promoter; Christopher Taykalo: Marketing and development manager, Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus
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
$22,200
Other Funds Leveraged
$49,300
Direct expenses
$71,500
Administration costs
$9,500
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The regional community will have access to high quality literary arts and the opportunity to study with other writers in an intimate setting. We measure attendance at events, distribute and collect questionnaires, track book sales, and record comments through interviews. Staff get to know attendees well and encourage feedback. And we expect great leaps in craft, confidence and motivation. 2: We will continue to expand and strengthen our relationships with cultural and artistic partners in the region and the state. We will mail or email surveys to arts, literary, and cultural organizations, as well as educational partners and the tribes, to gauge the impact of the conference. Staff will follow-up by phone to solicit suggestions.

Measurable Outcome(s)

MNWC increased appreciation for literary arts and increased access to award-winning writers from the national literary scene in outstate Minnesota. A sign-in form collects demographic information. Anonymous evaluation forms assess the experience of participants, interns, and faculty at the end of the conference. The 3-page form was developed in collaboration with BSU's social work and psychology departments and consists of simple open-ended questions to solicit informative responses. We also measure attendance, track book sales, and record comments through interviews. The staff gets to know attendees and encourages feedback. 2: We remain in close contact with many nonprofits and educational and tribal institutions in order to support aspiring writers. We send mailings and emails to a network of partners who share our interest in supporting emerging writers. Follow up is by phone conversation. We judge our success by how many writers we have been able to help attend the conference to further their craft and their career. When we can partner with an institution to bring someone to the conference who otherwise could not attend - and that person benefits and other participants benefit from their presence - we consider that a success.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Angie Gora, Colleen Greer, Bob Griggs, Monte Hegg, Lynn Johnson, Larry Swain
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 4
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