Operating Support

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2026 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$48,337
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Illusion Theater and School, Inc AKA Illusion Theater
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2025
End Date
June 2026
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview

Operating Support

Project Details

To create theater that illuminates the illusions, myths, and realities of our times, and to catalyze positive personal and social change.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Mary Ann Aufderheide: former arts administrator; Carol Bruess: author, speaker, relationship social scientist, and creator; Uri Camarena: business consultant; Michael Charron: arts educator, arts and civic leader; Richard Cohen: attorney in private practice, former state legislator; Emily Galusha: arts and civic leader, former arts administrator; Philip McKenzie, adjunct college faculty; Michele Sterner: higher education administrator; Christina Woods: executive director, arts organization

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Mary Ann Aufderheide: former arts administrator; Carol Bruess: author, speaker, relationship social scientist, and creator; Uri Camarena: business consultant; Michael Charron: arts educator, arts and civic leader; Richard Cohen: attorney in private practice, former state legislator; Emily Galusha: arts and civic leader, former arts administrator; Philip McKenzie, adjunct college faculty; Michele Sterner: higher education administrator; Christina Woods: executive director, arts organization

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota, 2025 regular session, chapter 36, article 4, section 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2026 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$48,337
Other Funds Leveraged
$985,356
Direct expenses
$1,009,525
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Provide Minnesota audiences with relevant theater experiences that help them better understand the needs of diverse communities and important societal issues. Illusion will: Produce theater to explore issues of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI); Capture quantitative feedback from artists and audience members; Periodically conduct qualitative audience surveys for feedback on issues and their resonance. 2: Provide underserved Minnesota youth and adults with high-quality arts experiences to help them make healthy life decisions and give voice to their communities. Illusion will: Provide arts programs to youth and adults throughout Minnesota; Maintain records of number of programs conducted and number of participants; Conduct quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with youth and adult participants.

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Robins
Organization Name
Illusion Theater and School, Inc AKA Illusion Theater
Street Address
528 Hennepin Ave Ste 704
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55403-1810
Phone
(612) 339-4944x 208
Email
mrobins@illusiontheater.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