Quick Start Grants
Quick Start Grants
Music from the Alps to the Adriatic
Adam Guggemos: graphic designer, art events promoter; Michelle Ronning: jewelry designer and maker; Tara Makinen: Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, musician; Moira Villiard: visual artist, Cultural Programming Coordinator at American Indian Community Housing Organization; Jeanne Doty: Retired Associate Professor UMD Music, pianist; Amber Burns: choreographer, dancer, actor, middle school art teacher; Margaret Holmes: visual artist, poet, and former Children's Theatre employee; Tammy Mattonen: visual artists, co-founder of Crescendo Youth Orchestra; Kayla Schubert: Native American craft artist, writer, employee at MacRostie Art Center.
Jeanne Doty: Retired Associate Professor UMD Music, pianist; Michelle Ronning: jewelry designer and maker; Amber Burns: choreographer, dancer, actor, middle school art teacher; Margaret Holmes: visual artists, poet, and former Children's Theatre employee; Tara Makinen: Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, musician.
ACHF Arts Access ACHF Cultural Heritage
The GND Development Alliances plans to put on an ethnic festival on September 17, 2017 at the new GND Recreation Area Pavilion. Our goal is to put on a successful festival. Two ethnic groups will perform, Serbian Kolo Dancers will be teaching their native dancing to attendees and there will be an exhibit on loan from the Saint Louis County Historical Society depicting life when the first immigrants from Eastern Europe settled this far western community. Concessions will be available for purchase featuring traditional Serbian and Slovenian cuisine. Measurable outcomes include but are not limited to: 1. Large numbers of attendees 2. We expect to be able to recoup our costs for the food products as well as make up the difference in our budget for total costs. 3. Bringing people from different areas/ backgrounds together to enjoy a fun afternoon. 4. Building social capital and community spirit. 5. Give opportunities to residents who would not otherwise have access to the arts Our goal is to have a successful festival that brings large numbers of the community together to learn about the sights, sounds and customs of Serbia and Slovenia through the joy of music and dancing. Social capital is an important factor to consider when making plans for events; we expect to see relationships being formed as people gather to experience something special. This as an opportunity for families to enjoy a day of music and fun at no cost. Opportunities are limited for those with limited budgets. Our goal is and always has been, to open vast opportunities to those who haven't had experiences such as this. This was a big reason for the redevelopment of the GND Recreation Area. We will know we are successful when we witness the large numbers of attendees we anticipate will attend. If concession sales are what we anticipate, this will be another indicator of success. We will discuss our sales and the system we used in 2017 and determine our path for 2018 based on how things go. Learning will occur as we evaluate all that went well and those things which could be done better. We plan to build on the lessons learned on this inaugural festival as we begin the planning process for the 2018 festival. Advertising is important and is another element which will be evaluated to use all options available to get the word out about our events. The GNDDA has had experience and success in the past with many different events. Failure is not an option.
The event we hosted on September 17 was a complete success. We estimate close to 350 enjoyed our first annual event bringing people from all over Duluth and the surrounding area all the way to Minneapolis. We were successful in showcasing both Serbian and Slovenian cultures through the music, food and dancing which was featured that day. We worked with the St. Louis County Historical Society to bring out exhibits depicting life of the early immigrants to our community from Eastern Europe. This cultural event brought even more awareness to the GND RECREATION AREA and PAVILION showing the community we are ready and able to bring the arts in all forms to this far western part of Duluth. Our committee has met and went over all aspects of how this day was handled and is ready for next year. We will improve on some aspects to make food lines run faster, will add additional musical performances and plan to expand food options as well. Sept. 16th, 2018 - next year's date.
Other,local or private