Arts Activities Support
Arts Activities Support
Life Long Learning "Talking Suitcases" Program.
Julie Andersen: Eagan Art House Executive Director; Bethany Brunsell: Music teacher, performer; Shelly Chamberlain: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Operations Director; Marisol Chiclana-Ayla: Artist, Board Chair at El Arco Iris; Jamil Jude: Theatre artist; Tricia Khutoretsky: Public Functionary Curator and Co-Director; Peter Leggett: Walker West Music Academy Executive Director; Dayna Martinez: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; Coleen McLaughlin: Arts Midwest Director of External Relations; Tom Moffatt: Silverwood Park Supervisor; Osman Mohamed Ali: Somali Museum of Minnesota Founder and Executive Director; Kathy Mouacheupao: Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support, Corporation Cultural Corridor Coordinator; Adam Napoli-Rangel: Artist; Heather Rutledge: ArtReach Saint Croix Executive Director; Djenane Saint Juste: Afoutayi Dance Company Founder; Andrea Sjogren: Hopkins Public Schools Youth Programs Coordinator; Dameun Strange: Composer, Performer; Melissa Wright: Twin Cities Public Television.
Maren Ward: Artistic, community service, development, organizational development; Angela Bernhardt: Fundraising, general management, fundraising, community service, development; Carolyn Van Nelson: Finance, audit, fundraising, general management, administration; Julia Brown: General administration, artistic, education; Maggie Thompson: Artistic, education, audience development, marketing; Conie Borchardt: Artistic, community service, development, general administration; Mai Yang: Artistic, community education, education; Emily Lamberty: Fundraising, finance, organizational development; Tina Burnside: Community education, community service, development, volunteerism.
ACHF Arts Access
The focus of the project will be on creating an engaging arts experience for seniors. The artistic goals of the Talking Suitcases program are to improve the overall health and wellness to participants through artistic growth and self-expression, social and communal opportunity, and interpersonal affirmation. Each of the six sites participating will host an eight-week long program. Over the eight weeks, each workshop will have 10 to 15 participants, with 60 to 90 participants across the system benefiting from this program. To evaluate project results, Ann Schrempp, Life Long Learning and Intergenerational Program Coordinator at Ebenezer Ridges, will work with teaching artist, Susan Armington to coordinate program observation and evaluation, and Ebenezer Life campus Directors of Life Long Learning will oversee evaluation of residents' experiences and survey for improvements in attitude, social expression, health, and overall wellbeing. Results will help inform Ebenezer's Life Long Learning programs, as well as COMPAS Art for Aging programming.
This program served 46 residents, ages 61-103. Each was given a pre- and post survey. 100% responded saying they experienced joy, satisfaction, and community. One resident, Becky, recently passed away. Her Talking Suitcase was prominently on display at her service. Her daughter thanked us for providing the opportunity for her mom to find her inner artist and share her story in a permanent way.
Other, local or private