On November 25, 2014, MRAC awarded $218,424 to 22 organizations in its FY 2015 Organizational Development grant program and $204,935 to 25 organizations in its FY 2015 Capital grant program.
The Organizational Development grant program offers grants of up to $10,000 for projects designed to strengthen the management or administration of arts organizations. The Capital grant program offers grants of up to $10,000 for arts organizations to purchase equipment and related supplies and services, or to make capital improvements. Awarded projects must advance the organization's mission, have the potential for long-term impact, and show evidence of thorough planning.
The following lists of the FY 2015 Organizational Development and Capital grantees are sorted by county of affiliation and include award amounts, project summaries, and links to the grantees' websites. Groups located in Minneapolis and St. Paul are listed separately from suburban Hennepin and suburban Ramsey counties.
Organizational Development Grants
Anoka County
Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts $9,244
www.banfill-locke.org
Funding to hire a part-time education coordinator to manage the many aspects of art classes offered at the center annually.
Dakota County
Exultate $10,000
www.exultate.org
Funding for a consultant-led process to prepare the organization for a new management structure.
Minneapolis
20% Theatre Company $10,000
www.tctwentypercent.org
Funding to create a part-time grants and fundraising coordinator position.
Ananya Dance Theatre $10,000
www.ananyadancetheatre.org
Funding to work with a development consultant who will help lead a direct mail campaign.
Copper Street Brass Quintet $10,000
www.copperstreetbrass.com
Funding to develop a sustainable individual giving strategy including training for staff and board on fundraising best practices.
Hopewell North Music Cooperative $10,000
www.hopewellmusic.com
Funding to further develop and implement a fundraising plan with the assistance of a fundraising consultant.
Kairos Alive! $10,000
www.kairosdance.org
Funding for a new website that interfaces with contemporary technology platforms, has more relevant content, and can be easily updated by staff.
Open Eye Figure Theatre $9,720
www.openeyetheatre.org
Funding to upgrade the databases used for tracking tickets sales, donations, grants, volunteers, tours, and events.
Plymouth Christian Youth Center $10,000
www.pcyc-mpls.org
Funding to create and implement an enhanced brand identity for the Capri Theater.
Soo Visual Arts Center $10,000
www.soovac.org
Funding to plan and implement a fundraising and membership strategy and expand staff capacity to include a fundraising position.
VSA Minnesota $10,000
www.vsamn.org
Funding for a grant writer to identify and secure corporate and foundation support in order to restore an arts education coordinator position.
Walking Shadow Theatre Company $10,000
www.walkingshadowcompany.org
Funding to create a development and outreach coordinator staff position.
St. Paul
Arcata Press dba Saint Paul Almanac $10,000
www.saintpaulalmanac.org
Funding to develop a sustainable funding stream through partnerships and sponsorships with local businesses.
Minnesota Theater Alliance $10,000
www.mntheateralliance.org
Funding to add a part-time administrative assistant position to take over administrative tasks currently done by staff, and to promote the membership services manager to a program director position.
One Voice Mixed Chorus $10,000
www.onevoicemn.org
Funding to implement a website redesign in order to provide improved service to ticket buyers, donors, singers, and new audiences.
Saint Paul City Ballet $9,460
spcballet.org
Funding to hire a consultant to facilitate and support a strategic planning process.
Walker West Music Academy $10,000
www.walkerwest.org
Funding to support the expansion of fundraising capacity for long-term sustainability.
Suburban Hennepin County
Rain Taxi Inc. $10,000
www.raintaxi.com
Funding to develop a new strategic plan that will provide the foundation for greater sustainability and strategic action for the future.
Yellow Tree Theatre $10,000
www.yellowtreetheatre.com
Funding to work with a communications specialist to create a strategic marketing and audience development plan.
Suburban Ramsey County
Brownbody $10,000
Funding to hire a consultant to grow an individual donor program, create a grants calendar, and train organizational leadership in fund development skills.
Motionpoems, Inc. $10,000
motionpoems.com
Funding to hire a communications consultant to better expand and engage audience networks.
Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center $10,000
www.tccdcmn.org
Funding to establish a management archive that is accessible to dance instructors, staff, board members, and community stakeholders.
Capital Grants
Carver County
River City Theatre Company $8,242
rivercitytheatrecompany.org
Funding to purchase wireless headset microphones.
Dakota County
International Friendship Through the Performing Arts $4,664
Funding to purchase new computers and software that will replace outdated equipment.
Rosemount Area Arts Council $9,790
www.rosemountarts.com
Funding to install a track curtain system for the Steeple Center stage in order to expand programming for smaller acts and individual speakers, and for use as a backdrop for small art exhibits.
Minneapolis
Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts $10,000
www.mnglassart.org
Funding to purchase and repair studio and administrative office equipment in order to meet the demands of new programming.
Les Jolies Petites School of Dance $10,000
Funding to install proper flooring and add a second restroom to the facility.
Metropolitan Boys Choir $9,999
www.mbchoir.com
Funding to purchase a computer, printer, projector, and portable piano to enhance programming.
Minnesota Community Sings $5,740
mnsings.com
Funding to purchase 400 copies of RISE UP SINGING songbooks for community sings and a songbook lending system.
Nimbus Theatre $10,000
www.nimbustheatre.com
Funding to replace the theater's lighting dimming system.
Off-Leash Area $5,000
www.offleasharea.org
Funding to replace lighting and sound equipment for the Neighborhood Garage Tour program.
Patrick's Cabaret $7,250
www.patrickscabaret.org
Funding to purchase new technical equipment for the theater and computers for the office.
Red Eye Collaboration $10,000
www.redeyetheater.org
Funding to upgrade the theater's lighting system to make it more user-friendly and increase creative possibilities for lighting design.
She Rock She Rock $10,000
www.girlsrocknrollretreat.com
Funding to purchase mobile recording equipment for a rock 'n' roll camp for teenage girls.
Take-Up Productions $10,000
trylon.org
Funding to purchase and install Digital Cinema Package (DCP) projection equipment as part of an industry-wide transition to the DCP format.
Weavers Guild of Minnesota $10,000
www.weaversguildmn.org
Funding to replace damaged and inadequate looms in order to support quality educational programming and expand artist-designed class projects.
St. Paul
Central Conference and Performance Center dba VocalPoint $1,860
www.vocalpointchorus.org
Funding to purchase choir risers to increase the safety, accessibility, and creative staging of annual choral concerts.
In Progress $10,000
in-progress.org
Funding to purchase a professional DSLR camera, camera accessories, digital animation tools, and a multi-media computer and software for use by photo and video artists.
Minnesota Brass, Inc. $10,000
http://www.mnbrassinc.org
Funding to replace a decade-old equipment trailer used to transport band instruments to local and regional competitions.
Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater $8,220
Funding to purchase 80 sets of "fusion" Chinese Han ethnic costumes to be used in annual concerts, outreach performances, and other community events.
Nautilus Music-Theater $10,000
www.nautilusmusictheater.org
Funding to complete the renovation of a new space in Lowertown, St. Paul, including floor refinishing, a bathroom installation, signage, and the purchase of woodworking tools.
Sounds of Hope, Ltd. $3,650
www.soundsofhope.org
Funding to replace aging equipment to support the continued growth of the organization's touring program.
Suburban Hennepin County
Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs $6,350
www.angelicacantanti.org
Funding to purchase new choral risers that are safe and stable for rehearsals and performances.
Public Theater of Minnesota $10,000
www.theptmn.org
Funding to purchase 36 theatrical light fixtures, 2 lighting towers, and related hardware for outdoor performances at Silverwood Park.
Upper Midwest Flute Association, Inc. $9,120
umfaflutes.org
Funding to purchase a contrabass flute in order to expand performance capability to include orchestral and contemporary flute music.
Suburban Ramsey County
Contempo Physical Dance $5,050
contempophysicaldance.org
Funding to purchase a Marley dance floor for touring.
Lakeshore Players $10,000
www.lakeshoreplayers.comFunding to purchase new computers and hire a computer consultant to network the new hardware.
423,359