Arts Tour Minnesota
ACHF Arts Access
Minnesota professional artists and arts organizations have more opportunities to tour their work throughout the state. More community and nonprofit organizations become involved in presenting touring artists and arts organizations. This outcome was evaluated by observing and documenting the events performed by the Minnesota Orchestra and small ensembles of Minnesota Orchestra musicians in Willmar.
The Willmar Common Chords project is a continuation of the multi-year Minnesota Orchestra Common Chords program. This initiative is connecting the Minnesota Orchestra with Greater Minnesota communities for an in-depth planning process culminating in a week of community musical events. Over a week in Willmar, the Minnesota Orchestra had the opportunity to perform three concerts and additional community events that engaged more than 3,000 people with the arts. The artist was the Minnesota Orchestra and several smaller ensembles made up of Orchestra members. Willmar was selected to be one of the initial Common Chords communities based on the community's response to an initial planning inquiry, interest in planning a major event with the Minnesota Orchestra, and the breadth and diversity of their planning team. All activities were free, except for the two evening concert performances, which had a $5 ticket price. The programs and locations were designed to be inclusive of a wide segment of the community. 2: The eighteen-member Willmar Steering Committee consisted of leaders in the arts, school district, local business, and government sectors; and many community volunteers. This broad representation connected the project to many existing groups and events, many of which are not typical presenters of touring arts events. Nearly thirty events throughout the week took place in traditional venues, such as the Willmar Arts and Education Center auditorium, and also in less traditional venues, including the Rice Hospital Garden Court, Becker Farmer’s Market, and the VFW. Activities in Willmar included: a brass quintet performance in-studio at a Willmar radio station; brass quintet performance in Garden Court at Rice Memorial Hospital; Sarah Hicks and string quartet work with 7th and 8th grade orchestras; Sarah Hicks leading a rehearsal with the Willmar Area Symphony Orchestra; Sarah Hicks and brass and string ensembles working with Willmar high school orchestras and bands; a Kinder Konzert for multiple preschools at Redeemer Lutheran Church; Sarah Hicks and a string quartet leading an Art of Conducting presentation; a Brass quintet performance at VFW Post 1639; string musicians working with 4th, 5th and 6th grade orchestras at three schools; brass musicians working with 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands; a string quartet performance at Becker Farmer’s Market; the Minnesota Orchestra jazz combo at Jazz n’ Java music café; a Kinder Konzert at the Willmar Public Library; a Young People’s Concert at Willmar Education and Arts Center featuring Peter and the Wolf; Inside the Classics concert at Willmar Education and Arts Center; and Three or Four Amigos and a classical concert at Willmar Education and Arts Center.
Other, local or private