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 E-Newsletter |
September, 2010
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Greetings!
The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council has been selected by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts, to be one of 100 communities that will participate in the inaugural Local Arts Index. These local arts agencies -- including arts councils and similar organizations from around the country -- will be part of an 18-month research initiative that serves as a complement to the National Arts Index. For this project, MRAC will work closely with Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, which produced "Artists Count: An Economic Impact Study of Artists in Minnesota" in 2007, and "The Arts: A Driving Force in Minnesota's Economy" in 2006.
The findings from the Local Arts Index will be reported in Fall 2011, and will include data for Hennepin and Ramsey counties. The Local Arts Index will be the first county-level study designed to measure the health and vitality of the arts industries throughout the United States.
MRAC is also delighted to announce that Kelly Affeldt has been selected from a pool of over 200 applicants to be our new part-time Program Associate. Kelly has served on several MRAC grant review panels and has been an arts administrator for both large and small arts organizations in the Twin Cities. Her responsibilities will primarily be to support the MRAC panel development process and the processing of individual applications.
Sincerely,
Jeff Prauer
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Welcome Kelly Affeldt!
Please give a warm welcome to MRAC's new part-time Program Associate, Kelly Affeldt! Kelly brings to MRAC a rich background in arts administration including working as the Development Director and Associate Director at Midway Contemporary Art, Development Associate and Membership Coordinator at the Weisman Art Museum, and as a Membership/Development Intern at the Walker Art Center. She holds a masters degree in arts administration from St. Mary's University and a bachelor's degree in art history from the University of Minnesota. Kelly has served as an MRAC panelist on several occasions and is a long-time participant in the arts. back to top |
Organizational Development and Capital Grant Deadline
The next deadline for the Organizational Development and Capital grant applications is September 13, 2010, with an earliest project start date of November 24, 2010. There is only one deadline for these grant programs this fiscal year. Please note that the deadline is earlier this year due to the addition of other grant programs. Visit the Organizational Development and Capital grant program pages for more information about the grant program and to download the guidelines and application forms. back to top |
Arts Activities Support Grant Panels
The first
round of FY 2011 Arts Activities Support grant applications will
be reviewed on Wednesday, September 22, Thursday, September 23, and Friday, September 24, 2010. The panel review
meetings will
begin at 9:00 A.M. with a short panel re-orientation. Click on the linked panel date to see the order of reviews for that day. September 22, 2010September 23, 2010September 24, 2010The
panel meetings are public, open meetings, and constituents are
encouraged to come and listen to the reviews to gain a fuller
understanding of the process and hear the panelists' comments
directly. Applicants may listen to the proceedings but are not invited
to make presentations or participate in the panel's discussion. back to top |
Community Arts Grant Workshops
The next deadline for Community Arts grant applications is October 4, 2010, with an earliest project start date of December 17, 2010. MRAC
offers workshops designed to help groups prepare MRAC Community Arts grant applications. Participants become familiar with the
programs and application forms and learn how to write effective MRAC
grant proposals. This is a great opportunity to get questions answered
on your project ideas. Tuesday, September 7, 3:00 - 5:00 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts CouncilWednesday, September 8, 6:00 - 8:00 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts CouncilSaturday, September 11, 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts CouncilRegister by clicking on the linked workshop date, by emailing mrac@mrac.org, or by calling Shannon Forney at 651-645-0402. Visit the Community Arts grant program page for more information about the grant program and to download the guidelines and application forms. back to top |
We Need New Photos!
The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council needs photos of arts activities from the past year to use on our website and in our print materials such as our brochure and annual report. We are looking for a variety of photos that will show the diversity of our community and the range of art activities and art disciplines that MRAC funds. Photos will be selected for use based on these needs and photo quality. For more information and to submit your photos, please visit our photo submission page or contact Mara Miller by email at mara@mrac.org. back to top |
MRAC Training & Development
During a recently conducted MRAC survey, art groups said they wanted to explore topics related to reaching audiences, resource development, and maintaining a solidly run organization. In addition, many of you said that one workshop on a topic was not enough and that you wanted to delve deeper. As a result, this year we will offer series of workshops focused on these topics, as well as panel discussions to explore topics in greater depth. Some of the series will include time with a consultant to work directly with your organization! September Sessions:
Web Strategies, Session I, Clockwork Media SystemsSeptember 16, 2010: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Metropolitan Regional Arts CouncilWeb Strategies, Session II, Clockwork Media SystemsSeptember 30, 2010: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Metropolitan Regional Arts CouncilThe Geek Girls are back to talk about strategies for social media and websites! Starting with a short review of social media tools, these sessions will focus on developing a strategic and cost effective way of reaching your online audience. By asking questions such as who do you serve and what are you trying to accomplish, Nancy Lyons and Meghan Wilker will help you choose Web tools, plan content, link your social media efforts with your website, and evaluate your success. Please sign up for both sessions. To register, click on the linked workshop date, email mara@mrac.org, or call 651-523-6384. Coming in October:Engaging Culturally Specific Audiences Savvy Marketing for Small Groups Resource Development 101 Let us know how we are doing and how we can improve. We love to hear from you and we're listening!back to top |
Resource Updates
(These non-MRAC opportunites are listed at MRAC's discretion. The listing does not indicate an endorsement.)
Bloomington Theatre and Art Center (BTAC) juried art exhibition invites BTAC members to participate in their 34th annual members' juried art exhibition. For more information and to download the entry form visit http://www.bloomingtonartcenter.com/Images/Exhibition%20Images/2010-MembersShowProspectus.pdf. Deadline October 1, 2010.
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The Women's Art Registry
of Minnesota (WARM) is offering a new short-term mentorship program open to all
artists. The Mentor Intensive Program will assist artists in achieving a specific goal or
project within a prearranged time frame. Goals may include career development, such as composing an artist's statement or technical development, such as guidance on a specific artistic technique or skill. For further information
please visit the WARM website at http://www.thewarm.org, click on the Mentor Program tab, and choose Mentor Intensive Program.
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The Perpich Center for Arts Education announced its fourth round of training for schools interested in incorporating dance into their curriculum. Arts Courses for Educators~Dance (ACE~Dance) is an opportunity to gain in-depth professional development in dance education. During the two-year program, school teams from across the state attend workshops at the Perpich Center and receive on-site coaching and curriculum services by ACE Instructors. More information is at http://www.pcae.k12.mn.us/pdr/ace/ace_grant_2010.html. Application Deadline September 24, 2010.
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The 2010 Nowthen Heritage Festival invites artists to participate in an arts and crafts sale on Saturday, September 25th in Downtown Nowthen, located in northwest Anoka County. The arts and crafts sale will run from 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. and feature hand-made products. The vendor fee is $30.00 for each 10' x 10" space. For more information and an application email NowthenHeritageFestival@yahoo.com.
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More than 140 arts professionals from across the Twin Cities metro area attended Are You My Audience?, the Arts Learning Xchange Metro-wide Forum on July 15 at Nicollet Island Pavilion. This interactive session covered national arts audience trends, local demographic data, and how-to's, tips, and tools for developing arts audiences. You can watch video clips at http://www.artsmidwest.org/programs/ArtsLearningXchange/metro-wide-forums/are-you-my-audience.
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The Minnesota Center for the Book Arts (MCBA) and the Jerome Foundation announced the third biennial series of MCBA/Jerome Book Arts Mentorships. The Book Arts Mentorships is an artist development program aimed at introducing book arts to emerging artists whose primary medium is in another discipline. Visit www.mnbookarts.org for more information. Application Deadline September 3, 2010.
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The COMPAS/McKnight Community Art Program's mission is to encourage the use of meaningful, quality arts to build community. The Community Art Program funds projects and programs in Minneapolis and Saint Paul that promote community-building through collaboration and interaction of artists and members of a community or among members of different communities. Guidelines and application forms are available at the COMPAS website: http://www.compas.org/grants. Application Deadline October 8, 2010.
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Call for Artists: The River Falls Business Improvement District, representing the business and building owners located in the historic downtown of River Falls, is pleased to announce the development of a Downtown Mural Project and is looking for a mural artist. For more information and the RFP contact Joleen Larson by email at joleenlarson@hotmail.com.
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The MAP for Nonprofits' Community Realignment Fund helps
struggling nonprofits save vital human services through realignment or merger
options. MAP's Project ReDesign team facilitates and leads nonprofit
organizations through an asset-based planning and decision-making process to
preserve community services using a ten-step approach to help organizational
leaders and their board members evaluate and implement changes in their
structure. For more information visit http://www.mapfornonprofits.org or
contact Renae Oswald-Anderson by email at roswald-anderson@mapfornonprofits.org.
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Fresh Filmmakers: Your Chance to Emerge. The Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant will facilitate the production of one short narrative film (ten minutes or less) directed by a filmmaker who has been making films for no more than five years. The winner will receive mentorship, a $1000 stipend, and logistical support (camera, lights, edit facilities, etc.) necessary to direct and produce a short narrative film. Production mentors will work in tandem with the grant recipient to manage the project. Click on the link for more information: http://www.ifpmn.org/grants.html. Application Deadline September 13, 2010.
Interested in a non-MRAC training opportunity, but not sure that your
organization can afford the fee? MRAC offers a training fund grant to
help arts groups pay for training opportunities that will strengthen
their organization. Click here for more information on MRAC's Management Training Fund grant.
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Forum of Regional Arts Councils Brochure
Are you outside our region? The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council is one of 11 Regional Arts Councils (or RACs) that along with the Minnesota State Arts Board shares the mandate to distribute the legislative allotment for the arts and a portion of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Legacy Amendment. For more information about the RAC system and contact information for all 11 Regional Arts Councils, download the Forum of Regional Arts Councils of Minnesota brochure. back to top |
MRAC Holiday Hours
The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council will be closed September 6, 2010 for Labor Day.
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MRAC's on Facebook
Now there is a new way to find out what is happening at MRAC. Connect with us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/MetropolitanRegionalArtsCouncil
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MRAC FY10 Summary
In FY 2010, MRAC received 573
grant requests and awarded 425 grants totaling $2,710,290, including 51 grants
awarded in the new MRAC Arts Learning program and 17 grants administered
through VSA Minnesota to help arts organizations improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Fifteen percent of the
grants were awarded to first-time applicants. MRAC also provided 49
skill-building workshops and training opportunities to approximately 740
participants.
Photos for top ribbon provided by: International Festival of Burnsville, Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Dakota Valley Symphony, Katha Dance Theatre, Music in the Park, Caponi Art Park/Lora Nelson Photo (Photo of Cromulent Shakespeare Company)
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