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 E-Newsletter | July, 2011 |
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Greetings!
During the current state government shutdown, MRAC will remain open for as long as our current funds allow. The July 11 deadline for Arts Activities Support grant applications remains in effect, and those applications will proceed to panel reviews in September. The absence of a state budget agreement should not deter you from submitting an Arts Activities Support application or from contacting us about any of our grant programs. However, our ability to pay out any grants approved after July 1, 2011 is entirely dependent on the status of the state budget and its arts appropriations. Due to the uncertainty of when we might receive state funds, we have suspended our Management Training Fund and Emergency Accessibility programs. We will continue to accept Management Consulting Fund applications and proceed with the monthly reviews, but all awards are dependent on a finalized state budget. No MRAC funded projects may begin before MRAC board approval, and no grants will be approved in the absence of a state budget agreement. As a result, project start dates may need to be adjusted. Last month we announced our Next Step Fund grant recipients, in addition to grant awards for the second round of the FY 2011 Arts Activities Support program. Grants approved by the MRAC board before July 1, 2011 are fully funded and will be paid out according to grant agreements.
The Next Step Fund program, funded by The McKnight Foundation, represented several firsts for MRAC. It was MRAC's first grant program for individual artists, our first online application process, and the first program to utilize work samples. The unique intent of the program -- to help artists at any stage in their career overcome an obstacle or take advantage of a meaningful opportunity that will help them reach their next level of artistry -- was exemplified in the diversity of awarded projects, disciplines, and career levels. This was also the most competitive program MRAC has ever had, with 370 applicants for the 34 grants awarded. To those of you who were not funded, we wish you success in your careers and hope you will consider applying again next March. Next Step Fund program directors Bob Burns and Greg Nielsen did an outstanding job in developing this new program, and in recruiting and preparing an excellent panel of 12 arts experts.
Sincerely,
Jeff Prauer
MRAC Executive Director
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Next Step Fund Grant Awards The first round of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council's (MRAC) Next Step Fund will provide 34 individual artists with the means to make significant advances in their artistic careers. The Next Step Fund, funded by The McKnight Foundation, is designed to help artists in the 7-county metropolitan region with a history of public presentation or community contribution to complete a project that will help them rise to their next level regardless of whether they are emerging artists or artists well established in their disciplines. Projects can help an artist overcome a significant barrier, increase artistic output and/or quality, complete a project that marks a significant milestone in their career, or help an artist engage with a new community or market. "This grant isn't about taking a lateral step or continuing the funding for what is already being created," says Program Director Greg Nielsen. "While there is a need for that type of sustained arts funding, this particular grant focuses on those projects that will help an artist get to the next rung on their own personal artistic ladder."
This is the first individual artist grant that MRAC has administered and MRAC's first online application process. The program was the result of The McKnight Foundation's emphasis on support for individual artists and a shared MRAC/McKnight Foundation vision to support an environment in which artists are valued leaders in our community with access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. More than 370 artists applied for the 34 grants given. Fifty finalists were asked to submit work samples as background information and support for their Next Step project. Artists could work in any discipline but must have a community connection and demonstrated achievement in their artistic field. Click here for a list of the award recipients with a short project description. The deadline for the FY 2012 Next Step Fund is March 5, 2012. back to top
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Arts Activities Support Grant Awards On June 28, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council awarded $535,419 in grants for arts activities support to 57 arts organizations in the seven-county metropolitan area. The organizations and projects chosen demonstrate both strong artistic quality and a connection to a community need. This round's funded projects include visiting artist series, outdoor art festivals, concerts, theater performances, visual art exhibitions, plays, puppetry, dance, spoken word, film festivals, and more.
Click here for a list of this round's grant recipients sorted by county of affiliation. Each entry includes a short description of the project and the amount of the award. The grant recipients' web addresses (when available) are also included as a way to access more information about the specific arts organization and project. back to top
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FY 2012 DeadlinesWhile we expect to have all the 2012 guidelines online shortly, a program's guidelines are guaranteed to be ready 30 days prior to each grant program deadline.
Arts Activities Support, Round 1 - Monday, July 11, 2011
Organizational Development - Monday, September 12, 2011
Capital - Monday, September 12, 2011
Community Arts, Round 1 - Monday, October 10, 2011
Arts Learning, Round 1 - Monday, November 7, 2011
Community Arts, Round 2 - Monday, January 9, 2012
Creative Intersections - Monday, February 13, 2012
Next Step Fund - Monday, March 5, 2012
Arts Learning, Round 2 - Monday, March 5, 2012
Arts Activities Support, Round 2 - Monday, April 9, 2012 Please note: Approval and payment by MRAC on grant applications after July 1, 2011 is dependent on the status of the State of Minnesota budget and its arts appropriations. back to top
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Arts Activities Support Grant Deadline
The deadline for FY 2012 Arts Activities Support round one grant applications is July 11, 2011, with an earliest project start date of September 28, 2011. Grants must be received in the MRAC office by 5:00 P.M. on the deadline date. This is not a postmark deadline. The deadline and panel reviews will NOT be impacted by the current state government shutdown. However all grant awards are dependent on a finalized state budget and its arts appropriations.
Don't let the LRT construction on University Avenue make your grant ineligible. The 5:00 P.M. deadline is a strict deadline. Please allow extra time when coming to our office. During the construction, you will need to use our back entrance off Myrtle St., which is one block to the south of University. You can access Myrtle from Raymond or Pelham. Click here for a map to our back entrance.
Visit the Arts Activities Support grant program page for more information about the grant program and to download the guidelines and application forms.
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MRAC and MSAB Government Shutdown InformationThe Metropolitan Regional Arts Council is NOT shut down. While MRAC does receive most of its funding from the state, because we are a nonprofit organization, rather than a state agency, we are able to proceed with fiscal year 2012 grant applications and panel reviews for as long as our current funds allow. However, our ability to approve and payout grants after July 1 is entirely dependent on the status of the state budget. During the government shutdown, the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) is closed and will remain closed until the shutdown ends. The most current information regarding the impact of a potential state government shutdown on Arts Board constituents can be found on the Arts Board website at http://www.arts.state.mn.us/news/2011/06/potential-state-shutdown.htm. back to top
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Organizational Development and Capital Grant Workshops
The deadline for the Organizational Development and Capital grant applications is September 12, 2011, with an earliest project start date of November 23, 2011. MRAC offers workshops designed to help groups prepare MRAC Organizational Development and Capital 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.
Wednesday, August 17: 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Thursday, August 18: 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M., Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Register by clicking on the linked workshop date, by emailing mrac@mrac.org, or by calling Shannon Forney at 651-645-0402.
Visit the Organizational Development and Capital grant program pages for more information about the grant program. The FY 2012 guidelines for Organizational Development and Capital grants will be posted in mid-July. back to top
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Management Consulting Fund Online!
The up to $1500 Management Consulting Fund grant is your opportunity to hire a consultant to help you strengthen the management of your arts group. With the new online application, now it's easier than ever to apply--just create an account and type your application directly into the fields provided. You'll be able to save your draft and submit when ready. Grant applications are reviewed monthly. Applications may be submitted online or by the current paper submission process. During the state government shutdown, MRAC will continue to accept Management Consulting Fund applications and proceed with the monthly reviews. However, all awards are dependent on a finalized state budget and its arts appropriations. No MRAC funded projects may begin before MRAC board approval, therefore project start dates may need to be adjusted. For more information visit the Management Consulting Fund grant page at http://www.mrac.org/grants/MCFGrant.asp. Please read the program guidelines before applying. back to top
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MRAC's Annual Meeting
MRACs annual meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M. on July 26 at All My Relations Gallery at 1414 E. Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.
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MRAC Training & Development
MRAC FY 2012 training opportunities will begin in the fall. See you then!
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Construction UpdatesThe Central Corridor LRT line is under construction along University Avenue. This will cause delays as traffic is re-routed and/or streets are closed. During the construction, please use our back entrance off of Myrtle St., which is one block to the south of University. You can access Myrtle from Raymond or Pelham. To see a map and directions to MRAC's back entrance click here.
Please allow extra travel time when coming to visit our office. back to top
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Resource Updates (These non-MRAC opportunities are listed at MRAC's discretion. The listing does not indicate an endorsement.)
The Knight Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) are seeking ideas from individuals and organizations for the development of new, sustainable models for arts journalism. First round winners will receive up to $20,000 to develop their 'idea to action' plans to provide a clear description of their project and how it will impact arts journalism in their community including ideas for collaboration and sustainability. From this pool, they will identify a second round of winners who will receive up to an additional $80,000 to implement their idea over a two year period. Eligible projects must focus on St. Paul and the east metro area, as one of the eight Knight Foundation communities selected for this unique project. Application information will be available starting at noon EST on July 6 at www.artsjournalism.org. The application deadline is August 18, 2011.
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Arts Learning Xchange Presents: Arts Marketing is Dead; Long Live the Audience with Andrew McIntyre, on Monday, July 25, 2011. Learn about the cutting-edge segmentation system rapidly being adopted by arts organizations in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and how it's being used to target audiences more accurately, engage them more deeply, and build lasting relationships. Visit http://www.artsmidwest.org/programs/ArtsLearningXchange/metro-wide-forums/arts-marketing-is-dead for more information.
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Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys seeks to commission an illustration by an emerging female illustrator to commemorate Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary in 2012. Three semifinalists will be selected based on the application. The illustrator who is ultimately selected will receive a total of $6,000 upon completion of the work. More information is available at http://mnartists.org/article.do?rid=292772. Deadline July 8, 2011
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Visit Rochester for a Legacy weekend, August 19 to 21. Enjoy Artigras, unique music performances, city trails, and modern entertainment in an historic setting as people celebrate the local resources the Legacy Amendment helps protect. Visit http://www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/legacy/rochester/index.aspx for more information.
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Call for Artists: Aesthetica Magazine is inviting artists, photographers, writers and poets from around the world to submit their work into the Creative Works competition. More information is available at http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/submission_guide.htm. Deadline August 31, 2011.
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The Jerome Fund for New Music (JFund), funded by the Jerome Foundation, supports the creation of new musical works by emerging composers, composer/performers, improvisers and sound artists. JFund helps cover the cost of the creator's commissioning fee and also provides financial support - Enhancement Funds - to help the project reach its maximum potential. More information is available at http://www.composersforum.org/programs_detail.cfm?oid=13244§ion=commissions. Deadline August 19, 2011
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The Jerome Residency program at Highpoint Center for Printmaking is open to emerging Minnesota printmakers who already possess basic training in traditional printmaking techniques. Visit http://www.highpointprintmaking.org/studioaccess/jerome/information/ for more information. Deadline: July 18, 2011.
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OverExposure is pleased to announce a fellowship program that will award one $10,000 grant to an emerging Minnesota documentary photographer. Artists will be selected based on the quality of work, prior documentary projects and backgrounds, and an effective project proposal. High priority will be given to projects that respond to the unique needs and interests of the community they address, creative approaches and thoughtful strategies for presenting the images to an audience and projects that coincide with related regional efforts and programs, such as discussions, events, workshops, activities, or larger advocacy, organizing, or educational campaigns. Visit http://overexposuremedia.org/?page_id=374 for more information.
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The Howard B. and Ruth F. Brin Jewish Arts Endowment Fund, a designated fund of the Jewish Community Foundation that serves to encourage artistic creativity within a Jewish context, is now accepting grant proposals. The Fund is meant to aid a broad range of individual artists and institutions in creating and producing works with a Jewish theme that would reach both Jewish and general audiences within Minnesota. For more information visit http://www.jewishminnesota.org/page.aspx?id=174140. Deadline July 15, 2011.
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The 2011 Minnesota Film and Video Grant program will award grants to emerging film and videomakers in the disciplines of experimental, narrative, documentary, and animated film and video making. For more information visit http://www.jeromefdn.org/. Deadline July 15, 2011.
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Public Sculpture Commission Opportunity: Chief Bemidji Statue Project. The City of Bemidji, working with the Parks and Trails Commission and its Chief Bemidji Statue Project sub-committee, wishes to commission an artist, or artist team, to design, fabricate and install a new sculpture of Chief Bemidji near the west shore of Lake Bemidji. The RFQ can be viewed on the City of Bemidji home page at: www.ci.bemidji.mn.us. Deadline September 19, 2011.
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Visual Arts Minnesota will be presenting their first professional development weekend for visual artists on August 5-7 in St. Cloud, MN. The schedule will include presentations by organizational leaders, gallery owners, museum curators, and exhibit coordinators. The purpose of the workshop is to bring visual artists together for a fun weekend, while also making it a "one stop shop" for artists interested in different aspects of a visual arts career. For more information visit http://www.visualartsminnesota.org/VAM/FYi_Weekend.html.
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Interested in a non-MRAC training opportunity, but not sure that your organization can afford the fee? MRAC offers a training fund grant for management or administrative-related training opportunities that will strengthen your organization. Click here for more information on MRAC's Management Training Fund grant.
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 Legacy Logo
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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 |
Still Collecting 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 our 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 |
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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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