Nonprofit arts groups in the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area can now apply for grants to help make arts programming, activities and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.

Called ADA Access Improvement Grants for Metro Arts Organizations, the intent is to enhance access for people with disabilities by enabling nonprofit arts organizations to make improvements to their programs, projects, equipment, or facilities. Such activities must have the potential for significant or long-term impact in involving more people with disabilities as participants or patrons in arts programs. These grants are not intended for one-time activities such as a sign language interpreter or a Braille program for one play, but to make a difference over a longer period of time. Grantees must report measurable outcomes of projects.

Minnesota nonprofit arts organizations in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties are eligible if their annual budget is under $4,460,000.

As of February 1, 2010, the grant guidelines and application can be downloaded at www.vsaartsmn.org/forms.html#adagrant. To have a copy mailed or emailed to you, or for other information about the new grant program, contact VSA arts of Minnesota at 612-332-3888 voice/tty or at access@vsaartsmn.org

These funds are made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council to VSA arts of Minnesota.

 

The deadline for Arts Learning grant applications is Monday, February 22, 2010 with an earliest project start date of April 28.

The Arts Learning program provides grants of up to $10,000 for high-quality, age-appropriate arts education for Minnesotans of all ages to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts. MRAC's goals for the Arts Learning Program are to cultivate creativity and deepen knowledge of and/or through the arts for children, youth and adults by engaging people in extended arts experiences and activities with clearly articulated learning objectives.

Visit the Arts Learning grant program page for more information about the grant program and to download the guidelines and application.

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Join us in February for a great lineup of training opportunities that will help your arts organization grow and prosper. These events are free but please register in advance. Click on the linked training date to register or call 651-645-0402.

On Becoming a 501(c)(3)
February 10, 2010, 3:00 - 5:30 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Your organization is growing! People are interested in donating money. Should you become a 501(c)(3)? What are the alternatives? How does an organization get 501(c)(3) status? Ellen McVeigh will translate the complicated and arcane legal jargon into straightforward sensible terms and concepts as she discusses the pros and cons of achieving 501(c)(3) status, how it compares to other legal options, and what the processes and challenges are. Ellen is a partner in Borenstein and McVeigh Law Office, LLC, which provides corporate, employment, and tax advice to a national client base of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. She is also an instructor in the MBA Program for Nonprofit Management at the University of St. Thomas. The workshop will be interactive and practical, so bring your questions!
 
Identifying and Responding to Your Audiences' Needs
February 17, 2010, 3:00 - 5:30 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Who are your stakeholders? How do you build and expand audience and others committed to your organization? Learn to analyze and build your community vitality using a variety of tools. Dr. Mo Fahnestock will focus on a process to identify core stakeholders, prepare stakeholders assessments, and then turn those assessments into actionable steps. Mo is the president of Authentic Leadership Action, Inc. where he works directly with leaders and leadership teams to guide, create, and implement organizational strategies that help build robust and vital organizations. He also serves as adjunct faculty for the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota.

Social Networking (Part One)
February 18, 2010, 3:00 - 6:00 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Expand your network! Social media is about making connections, delivering content, and participating in conversations. It is about listening and paying attention as much as it is about talking and delivering your messages. Find out more about the social media landscape and how your organization can participate. Learn about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Consider your organizational messages. How is your staff representing your organization online? How do you respond to negative commentary? Join the Geek Girls as they explain how to tune in and engage in this new way of doing business.

Completing Your 990
February 24, 2010, 3:00 - 5:30 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
It's tax time! Don't put off filling out that pesky 990 until the last minute. Remember your 990 is also a marketing tool. Many funders now consider 990s useful in evaluating organizations. Certified Public Accountant Steven Anseth will walk you through the 990 tax form with both IRS and funders' points of view. Bring your questions! Steven is the Nonprofit Director and Audit Manager at Francis & Associates, P.A and specializes in serving nonprofit organizations. He is also an active board member of several nonprofit organizations. "[Steven Anseth] brings this complicated and important topic to a less daunting and manageable level." --past participant.

Social Networking (Part Two)
February 25, 2010, 3:00 - 6:00 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Continue your adventure into social media! The Geek Girls will delve deeper into social media engagement and strategy. Think about coordinating marketing messages among website, traditional media, and social media channels. Learn to consider your organizational resources and commitment, choose your channels, and create a meaningful social networking engagement.

Stay tuned for these great training sessions coming in March. Watch our website and your email for more information.

Effective Websites 101
Understanding the Challenge of Evaluating your Programs
Effective Board and Volunteer Recruitment and Development

The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council will be closed February 15, 2010 for Presidents' Day.

Are you interested in seeing all the great arts events, projects, and trainings we did last year? MRAC's FY09 Annual Report is now available on our website! Click here to download it.

 

Not sure your arts organization can afford to send you? Check out MRAC's Management Training Fund.

Please forward our e-newsletter to people who may be interested in information about MRAC grant deadlines and awards, workshops, training opportunities, resource updates, and other MRAC news. We do not share our e-mail subscriber list with others.