Creative Support for Organizations-Round 2

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$25,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
BRKFST Dance Company
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
May 2023
End Date
April 2024
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Ramsey
Hennepin
Ramsey
Project Overview
Creative Support for Organizations-Round 2
Project Details

BRKFST Dance Company will invest in Minnesota choreographers by subsidizing rehearsal space for one year while creating a new work at the intersection of breaking and contemporary dance vernacular to premiere at the Cowles Center in March 2024.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Uri Camarena: business consultant; Michael Charron: arts educator and an arts and civic leader; Richard Cohen: attorney in private practice and a former state legislator; Emily Galusha: arts and civic leader, former arts administrator; Anthony Gardner: vice president, marketing and communications at CentraCare; Ken Martin, political strategist and campaign manager; Philip McKenzie: team lead with Denver Air, adjunct college faculty; Nichole Melton-Mitchell: healthcare administrator; Dobson West: retired attorney; Christina Widdess: nonprofit consultant; former arts administrator; Christina Woods: executive director, Duluth Art Institute

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Elin Hawkinson: Hawkinson serves as the associate director of communications and development for the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, Inc., where she has a successful track record of grant and proposal writing for local, state, and national funders. A Minnesota native recently returned home, Hawkinson holds a certificate in performing arts from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, a bachelor's degree in theater and creative writing from The New School (both in New York), and a master of fine arts from Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA.; Denise Hedtke: Hedtke is an educational leader with eclectic experience in alternative secondary, career/technical, and early childhood education settings. She works with diverse populations and has much experience with families facing multiple risk factors. She has earned degrees in developmental psychology, early childhood education, and educational leadership. She also holds licenses in early childhood, parent education, and K-12 school administration. She has volunteered on the board of The Jonathan Association, with local political campaigns, with the CAP Agency, and another grant committee.; Charles Leftridge: Leftridge serves as the executive director of The Grand Center for Arts & Culture in New Ulm. He is an active composer and previously was the director of operations at the Mankato Symphony Orchestra. Leftridge graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a master of music degree in music composition and occasionally serves as adjunct music faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato.; Jenna Pettit: Pettit works as a marketing specialist for Catholic Charities and has been an active fundraiser and supporter for numerous organizations like Pillsbury Players and public library arts programs. She serves on the United Way Vision Council which reviews grant applicants in Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin Counties. She attends many arts events in her hometown and is an avid musician in her time off. She believes in the power of connected communities and dreams of collaborative, vibrant art communities across rural Minnesota.; Margit Schmitt: Schmitt spent the first ten years of her life in Ojai, California, but since 1996 has made the Midwest her home. In 2010, Schmitt graduated from the College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul, with a bachelor of fine arts degree. She has exhibited in a variety of galleries throughout Minnesota. Schmitt's most recent series, Genesis, explores the teetering balance of life's opposites within the natural world. By drawing on biblical themes and scriptural texts, Genesis portrays our polarized world through the imbalance of nature, the "in between,? the "gray,? and the fluid aspects of life.; Hayley Zacheis: Zacheis is an advocate with the nonprofit Esperanza United, where they help participants in the community achieve their goals and mobilize communities to end domestic violence. Zacheis also had the opportunity to be part of the grant process for microloans given to ten applicants as part of a community initiative with Esperanza United. Zacheis graduated from Macalester College with a BA in biology and international studies in 2021. In their spare time, Zacheis plays cello with the JCC Symphony Orchestra, takes dance classes, and does many fiber based art projects, as well as volunteers at the Saint Paul Public Library.

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2021, First Special Session, chapter 1, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$25,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$25,000
Administration costs
$3,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

BRKFST Dance Company will subsidize community rehearsal space, and create a new work which will premiere at the Cowles Center in March of 2024. Audience feedback collected throughout the run of BRKFST's work, the amount of time each dancer rehearses, the number of formal pieces disseminated and accolades garnered during this grant's activity period will all be used to evaluate this outcome.

Measurable Outcome(s)

BRKFST subsidized community rehearsal space, and created a new work, 'STORMCLUTTER,' which is premiering at The Walker Arts Center in June 2024. Feedback collected from fellow renters at 'The Garden,' the amount of time dancers used rehearsal space - shown by the google calendar, social media posts generated in the space, number of pieces disseminated by collaborators and accolades garnered.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
Achieved proposed outcomes.
Recipient Board Members
Lisa Berman, Joseph Tran, Renee Copeland
Project Manager
First Name
Lisa
Last Name
Berman
Organization Name
BRKFST Dance Company
Street Address
1701 Van Buren Ave
City
St Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55104
Phone
(651) 592-1204
Email
lisa.monalisa.berman@gmail.com
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