Quick Start Grants - Individuals

While many of the benefits of a conference like this are difficult to measure as they are relationship-based, one measurable outcome is direction on our next recording project. If we haven't come away from the event with a producer ready to go, we will come home with at least 20 names for follow-up communication. We will also add to our current spreadsheet of venue and presenter contacts with an eye toward venues beyond our current strengths in the Midwest. Qualitative evaluation will occur while we are at the conference. We will be taking notes during conversations, doing reflective writing each evening to examine the day's accomplishments, and debriefing each night by discussing each of our accomplishments during the day and planning the next day's priorities. Quantitative evaluation will occur once we arrive home (see below). As stated above, our hope is to come back to Minnesota with a producer signed on to our next recording. That is the best-case, and easiest to measure outcome. If no one has signed on, we will return with a list of 15-20 options which we will use to find our man or woman. In addition, we will continue to add to our working contacts spreadsheet including venue contacts, artists we meet, managers and agents we talk to, presenters, and other important industry contacts who could help to further our career. Our initial evaluation of the project showed us that we needed the assistance of Arrowhead Regional Arts Council in order to make this conference financially possible at this time. During the conference, we will continuously evaluate our work on a daily basis by taking notes and reflexively writing, and by holding daily debriefing meetings where we discuss what we accomplished during the day, and what we plan to accomplish the following day. This is more qualitative evaluation, but it will make sure we are getting what we need out of the conference. Our final evaluation will be more quantitative, and will include examinations of our contacts list and the results of our producer search. Our goal is to add at least 100 venues and presenters to our list and to have a producer signed on to our recording project. In lieu of an actual producer, we will have a short list of up to 20 possible producer contacts from which to work upon arriving home.