On June 24, 2014, MRAC awarded a total of $182,586 to 38 individual artists in the FY 2014 Next Step Fund grant program. The Next Step Fund program, funded by The McKnight Foundation, is designed to help artists in the 7-county metropolitan region complete a project that will help them rise to the next level in their careers regardless of whether they are emerging artists or artists well established in their disciplines.
There were 340 artists who applied for the 38 grants given. Fifty-six 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.
The following is an alphabetical list of Next Step Fund grant recipients with short project descriptions.
Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew $5,000 Literature - general Funding to promote the author's first novel and to engage with her audience. Paul Boehnke $5,000 Music - solo/recital Funding for the editing and duplication of a solo CD, and acquisition of an amplification system necessary for colaborations with jazz musicians. Charles Campbell $5,000 Theater - general Funding to study the work of Tadeusz Kantor at the Cricoteka Center in Krakow, Poland Lisa Channer $5,000 Theater - general Funding to shadow two TV and film directors in Los Angeles. Mary Ellen Childs $5,000 Music - new/experimental/electronic Funding to assist with the research and development of a new body of work combining music and scent. Joe Chvala $5,000 Multidisciplinary Funding to create a demo reel for use in promoting the artist's work as a theater director. Pete Driessen $5,000 Visual Arts - general Funding to purchase materials and cover production costs to create a boat sculpture at Silverwood Park. Andrew Foreman $5,000 Music - jazz Funding to purchase equipment and hire musicians to create an online video series of original music compositions. Troy Gallas $5,000 Design Arts - architecture Funding to purchase tools and equipment to further practice as a public artist. Karen Gustafson $5,000 05 - Visual Arts - general Funding to purchase two medical-grade skeleton models. Emily Gunyou Halaas $5,000 Theater - general Funding to study Clown at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in France. Amara Hark-Weber $5,000 Crafts - leather Funding to attend a master class in shoe-making in Sweden. Alison Heimstead $5,000 Theater - puppetry Funding to constuct an in-home studio space. Jessica Huang $5,000 Literature - playwriting/scriptwriting Funding to attend the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists' 4th National Asian American Conference and Festival, and to share the playwright's play with a national audience. Mathew Janczewski $5,000 Dance - modern Funding for the creation of a business plan to promote the choreographer's work to a broader, national audience. Tynan Kerr $5,000 Visual Arts - general Funding to purchase a ceramics kiln, wheel, and materials for a home studio. Michelle Kinney $5,000 Music - new/experimental/electronic Funding to record a CD of instrumental music created from improvisations played while accompanying dance classes. James Kleiner $5,000 Crafts - paper Funding to study and document the process of making traditionally-influenced, double-face laid mold and deckles for hand papermaking. Nickolai Kolarov $5,000 Music - new/experimental/electronic Funding to record and produce the first CD of the musician's work. Justin Leaf $5,000 Multidisciplinary Funding for a year of training for vocal performance, which will culminate in a public performance. Michael Lee $5,000 Literature - poetry Funding to complete a poetry manuscript, submit it to publishers and contests, and to host a free reading upon completion. Douglas Limón $5,000 Folk - traditional crafts/visual arts Funding to purchase a CNC Shark Routing System and complimentary equipment. Karen Majewicz $5,000 Music - chamber Funding to purchase a custom made converter accordion. Wynne Mattila $5,000 Crafts - fiber Funding to hire an editor and writing coach to assist with the completion of an instructional book on the artist's rug weaving process. Hieu Nguyen $5,000 Literature - poetry Funding to promote and tour with the author's debut full-length poetry collection. Marie Olofsdotter $5,000 Visual Arts - graphics Funding for a writing coach, software consultation, flatbed scanner and honararia to support the creation of a wordless picture book. Pooja Pavan $5,000 Music - ethnic/folk-inspired Funding to study Songs of Benares with a master teacher in India. Aaron Preusse $5,000 Theater - general Funding to attend and complete the Teacher Certification Workshop for stage combat provided by the Society of American Fight Directors. Patrick Rhone $4,166 Literature - nonfiction Funding to assist with the writing and research for a new book of nonfiction covering the author's family history. Peyton Russell $5,000 Visual Arts - experimental Funding to write a book on the subject of teaching graffiti art esthetics in schools. Davu Seru $2,800 Music - jazz Funding to purchase a new custom drum kit. Carrie Henneman Shaw $4,120 Opera/Musical Theater Funding to attend a commedia dell'arte training program in Italy. Emily Stover $5,000 Design Arts - general Funding for interactive programming training and equipment. Charlotte Sullivan $5,000 Literature - general Funding to develop a book presentation for school visits. Saymoukda Vongsay $5,000 Theater - general Funding for brand development and to attend the National Asian American Theater Conference and Festival. David Walton $1,500 Opera/Musical Theater Funding to rent audio and video recording equipment, and for professional coaching to record five opera arias for tenor. Paul Wegner $5,000 Photography Funding to digitally scan negatives, and print and frame images for the artist's first solo exhibition. Christy Wetzig $5,000 Crafts - clay Funding to build a new bourry box kiln. | 
