Arts Activities Support

12+K people attended the 2016 Selby Ave JazzFest. With an estimated 60% of attendees residing in a Zip Code where annual household entertainment expenditures are 75% or less the Seven County Metro average, the event provided an underserved population with a free arts programming. 86 performing and 60 display artists (Minnesota-based) participated in the project. ACHIEVE ARTISTIC GOALS: Diverse/quality jazz performances: Yes. Six performing groups presented six+ jazz genres (NOLA, big-band, smooth, traditional standards, instrumental-piano, vocal/soul. 60+ display artists took part in this year's Fest, many provided live demonstrations. Reach an underserved community. Our survey shows that approx. 60% of our attendees reside in Zip Codes where annual HH entertainment expenditures are 75% (or less) the Seven County Metro average. Engaging experience. As it has been for the past 15 years, JazzFest is a living, breathing and genuine testimony to the power of arts-based community development. It's no secret we, as a society, are experiencing tough times; especially in the area of race relations. Sites witnessed numerous times during the event include: a) Young African American men embracing Saint Paul Police Officers; b) Children of all ethnicities interacting in our Family Fun Zone; c) People of all walks (more on our specific audience demos coming up) of life engaging with each other during and between performing artists' sets; d) Inquisitive attendees asking questions during our display artists' demonstrations. A first time Fest attendee (Caucasian, 30 years old, suburbanite) commented as he left, "This event is a true diamond. What a day." Yes, JF16 did indeed build community. WHAT WORKED: Headliner and Grammy Award Winner Kirk Whalum's set which included him strolling through the crowd during the Whitney Houston classic, "I Will Always Love You." Mr. Whalum performed the song's sax solo in the original recording. Anthony Walker and Reverend Carl Walker's set. Reverend Carl Walker, founder of the Walker-West Music Academy (which is located on Selby Ave) performed with his highly acclaimed son/pianist Anthony. It was old home week! We had the highest number of visual display artists (60+, most live in the neighborhood. We are of the strong belief that the Fest should provide area artists the opportunity to display their creations without having to take out a second mortgage). WHAT DIDN'T: 2016 was the smoothest of all our 15 JazzFests. The weather was perfect. Sound/stage was top notch. DO DIFFERENTLY: Book a global jazz act. We had one lined up; however, they had to back out due to an unexpected commitment. REACH INTENDED COMMUNITY: Audience: Yes-12+K in attendance. From 5:30 on, grounds were packed. Audience Demos: Age: Under 18: 16% | 18-30: 30% | 31-45: 16% | 46-60: 28% | Over 60: 10%. Ethnicity: African American: 56% | Caucasian: 36% | Latino: 4% | Asian: 1% | Other: 3%. Residential Zip Code: Neighborhood: 37% | St Paul: 24% | St Paul suburb: 14% | Minneapolis: 11% | Minneapolis suburb: 10% | Outlying: 5%. Minnesota Artists (Performing and Display): Approx. 146 which was quite a bit higher than our '16 estimate and prior history. Our goal was 110. ESTIMATED VS. ACTUAL POPULATION BENEFITING: We were a bit short of our 15K attendance goal which was probably a bit optimistic, primarily due to '16 being our 15th anniversary. On the flipside, our audience was the most diverse we've seen. There was a definite increase in the number of millennials and young families in attendance, the outcome of an aggressive Facebook ad campaign and two large, 4-color ads in City Pages. OPEN/ACCESSIBLE: As we have in the past, there is plenty of area for our limited mobility guests to sit near the stage. In addition, the area behind the stage is reserved for handicap parking. One thing...Fest attendees are kind and compassionate. They politely move out of the way to ensure all people can enjoy the event.