Folk and Traditional Arts

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$56,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Karen Organization of Minnesota
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2018
End Date
December 2018
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Ramsey
Hennepin
Ramsey
Project Overview

Folk and Traditional Arts

Project Details

The Weaving Circle will revive and share the traditional art of Karen weaving through workshops and cultural documentation projects with youth, mentorship among artists, and public educational events.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Member of the Smithsonian National Board. Former chair of the board, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Officer at -Large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse, Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Rebecca Dallinger: Special projects coordinator, White Earth Tribal and Community College Extension; Karen Goulet: Artist; program director of the Miikanan Gallery at Watermark Art Center, Bemidji; Peggy Korsmo-Kennon: COO, American Swedish Institute; David Todd Lawrence: Writer; English professor at St. Thomas; Sowah Mensah: Ethnomusicologist, composer, and master drummer; music professor at Macalester and U of M; Jeffrey Meyer: Music professor and fine arts department chair at Concordia College, Moorhead; leader of study abroad trips; Chuen-Fung Wong: Associate professor and chair of music, Macalester College

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
Yes
Conflict of Interest Contact

Executive director Sue Gens (651) 215-1600

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2017 Regular Session, chapter 91, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Cultural Heritage

2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$56,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$19,867
Direct expenses
$75,867
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Weaving workshops will increase participants level of artistic skill and pride in weaving as an important symbol of their culture. Project coordinator will track attendance and observe student engagement. Cultural significance of weaving evaluated by project completion, teacher feedback and student enthusiasm to learn. 2: Exhibitions and sales will introduce Minnesotans to the art and foster greater appreciation for Karen folk art as part of Minnesota's diverse cultural heritage. The Project Coordinator will track interactions at vendor tables, materials distributed and attendance at exhibition events. Exhibition attendees will be asked to complete a survey.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Student participants learned an art form unique to their own culture and built relationships with an older generation. Regular attendance demonstrated an enthusiasm for the activity; 90% of students in the summer sessions and 80% in the after school workshops completed weaving projects. 2: Throughout 2018, broader Minnesota community appreciated and often purchased the crafts of the Karen Weaving Circle. KOM's Program Manager noted positive feedback from event attendees; sales at seven community events proved community interest in Karen weaving.

Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Recipient Board Members
Maureen Rafferty, George Thaw Moo, Soe Doh, Jennifer Dunbar, James Letts, Timothy O'Brien, Saw Sunshine Timothy, Myat Thanda Tun, Hsajune Dyan, Jeffry Saw
Project Manager
First Name
Keetha
Last Name
Vue
Organization Name
Karen Organization of Minnesota
Street Address
2353 Rice St Ste 240
City
Roseville
State
MN
Zip Code
55113
Phone
(651) 788-7593
Email
kvue@mnkaren.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency