Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Sean P. Connaughty
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2013
End Date
June 2014
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Connaughty will create a new series of underwater sculptures that combine living ecosystems with solar powered technology, to be displayed in outdoor public spaces and in a gallery setting.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Judson Bemis Jr.: Actor, arts administrator, founder and principal of Clere Consulting. Secretary, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse: Executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Music Coalition, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.; John Gunyou, City manager, Minnetonka.; Benjamin Klipfel: Board member, Minnesota State Arts Board. Executive Director, Alexandria Area Arts Association, Inc. Director and arts educator.; Ellen McInnis: Director of Twin Cities government relations, Wells Fargo. Member of Bottineau Boulevard Partnership. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Pamela Perri: Executive vice president, Builders Association of Minnesota.; Margaret Rapp: Former educator, Saint Paul Academy and Summit School. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Anton Treuer: Professor of Ojibwe, Bemidji State University.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Marlon Davidson: Artist, writer, educator, Bemidji; Leann Johnson: Graphic designer, illustrator and ceramic tile artist; Doris Logue: Rural visual artist, commited to the environment and regional conservation issues; Seho Park: Artist, Art Professor, Winona State University; Jane Powers: Mixed media sculptor and public art artist; Don Sherman: Artist, Educator, Photographer, mentors program coordinator, Southwest Minnesota State University College; Krista Walsh: Multidisciplinary artist, art activist; Adjunct Faculty member, University of Minnesota, Hamline University; Christopher Zerendow: Artist, adjunct instructor, North Hennepin Community College; State Arts Board grant recipient
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session, chapter 6, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$10,000
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

I will complete a project with grant resources that are otherwise unavailable. I will increase my knowledge, through research, consultation, and experimentation, of the new parameters I am working with. The project will succeed when I create a cohesive and inspiring exhibition. Also, when I expand my expertise in creating and sustaining living ecosystems in challenging circumstances, achieved through trial and error, research and consultation. 2: Create a larger audience through promotion, by reaching audiences such as park visitors, and through documentation and online exposure. I will monitor visitors through gallery counts, park visitor counts and online views.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The project presented myriad opportunities for learning. I researched and implemented solar technology, wireless and internet technologies. I also developed a deeper understanding of the physical processes involved in making biosphere floats, buoyancy, ecosystem management, gas exchange, photosynthesis, logistics and techniques involved in large scale ceramics. I also learned about glass blowing, welding, electronics, aquarium management and nautical construction. The techniques and skills I developed are continuing to bear fruit as I develop even more complex biosphere floats today. It would have been impossible to create the human scale biosphere float I am currently creating, without the knowledge I developed thanks to the MSAB. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to further my knowledge and complete the work I dreamed of making. 2: The work was successfully seen by many Minnesotans, both in the outdoor projects and the indoor exhibitions.

Description of Funds
Project Manager
First Name
Sean
Last Name
Connaughty
Organization Name
Sean P. Connaughty
State
MN
Phone
(612) 226-5126
Email
vnc333@earthlink.net
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