Songwriting and Performing for Somali American Youth

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$140,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Ka Joog
Status
In Progress
Start Date
January 2022
End Date
September 2023
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Anoka
Becker
Carver
Clay
Dakota
Hennepin
Ramsey
Stearns
Washington
Anoka
Becker
Carver
Clay
Dakota
Hennepin
Ramsey
Stearns
Washington
Project Overview

Ka Joog requests funding from the Minnesota Humanities Center to offer songwriting and composition to Somali American youth enrolled in FANKA, our arts education program. We will contract with Nimcaan Hilaac, a renowned Somali American songwriter, singer, and composer. We will offer 210-300 Somali youth in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Saint Cloud songwriting workshops facilitated by Mr. Hilaac. Their learning will culminate in a community-wide event featuring performances by our youth.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
MN Laws 2021, First Special Session Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 8 (d)
Appropriation Language

2022-2023 Cultural Heritage and Community Identity Grants - Winter 2021

2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$140,000
Direct expenses
$151,989
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

With support from MHC, Ka Joog aims to achieve the following outcomes: 210-300 youth will create music and perform songs during community-wide concerts90% of participants will self-report an increase in knowledge of Somali music after participating in workshopsAt least 1,500 people will attend Ka Joog's community-wide musical performances70% of surveyed attendees will indicate they have new knowledge or understanding after participating in a presentation

Measurable Outcome(s)

As of December 31, 2022, below are the outcomes of the project:

- We have engaged 50 youth that created music and performed a community event that we held in December in Minneapolis
- 85% of the participants reported an increase of knowledge within the workshops
- During the the community-wide event in December, we had 175 who attended
- Based on the survey from attendees, 80% indicated they gained knowledge from the program

Source of Additional Funds

N/A

Recipient Board Members
Ali Elmi
Hussein Mohamed
Abubakar Ahmed
Aisha Mukhtar
Guled Abdullahi
Abdi Barkat
Administered By
Administered by
Location

987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106

Phone
651-774-0205
Email the Agency