Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Jean M. Ockuly AKA Blue Lady
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2013
End Date
June 2014
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Ramsey
Hennepin
Ramsey
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Ockuly will establish herself as a performer of world music by developing an expanded repertoire of traditional and original songs to be performed at four Twin Cities venues.
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
Christopher Atzinger: International pianist; David Moore: Composer, vocal arranger, educator, and conductor; Founder of a capella ensemble, Dare to Breathe, Saint Paul; Nirmala Rajasekar: Musician, Teacher, South Indian Music; Terry Ruud: English and writing instructor, M-State, Fergus Falls; Albra Thao: Spoken word and hip hop artist; Jacquelynn Tinsley: Singer; Faith Udeh: Hip hop rock artist
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
$3,434
Direct expenses
$13,434
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Improve my songwriting skills by creating and documenting original musical arrangements. At the end of the project I will have completed musical scores for various instruments for six songs.

Measurable Outcome(s)

I improved my songwriting skills through creating and documenting original musical arrangements. I brought folkloric songs learned from travels as well as original songwriting ideas and, working with musician Sarah Burk developed 6 musical scores for 5 musicians who each played various instruments. For example, Scott Fultz played saxophone, flute, banjo, and guitar. The song titles are as follows: Malisajo-West African song about the spiritual connection between a young girl and a Hippo, Chansha- Original song about the Mermaid Deity of Cedar Lake, Brasilian funk, Dance Like Mariana-Ode to an Argentinean Dance teacher, Tango, Elemental Intros-Song introducing the musicians as Elements and bringing on a musical Samba storm, Rum and Ting-Original Calypsonian influenced campfire song featuring Eartha’s challenges, Promesa de Pescador (Promise of the Fisherman)-Brazilian song honoring the ocean goddess, arranged to enact the story of Blue Lady’s earthly love who comes to the sea.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Jean
Last Name
Ockuly
Organization Name
Jean M. Ockuly AKA Blue Lady
State
MN
Phone
(646) 229-9880
Email
qjeanius@hotmail.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