Art Project
ACHF Arts Access
The purpose of this project is to celebrate the lives, music, and cultural contributions of Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein and bring their music to a southwest Minnesota audience that would likely not have access to such performances. Measurable goals include: 1) Attracting an audience of at least 200 people to the Finale Concert; 2) Attracting audiences of at least 25 individuals to the Panel Discussion and 100 individuals to the Chamber Music Concert; 3) Attracting at least 100 total audience members who have never attended or rarely attend Southwest Minnesota State University Music events; and 4) Sharing the music of Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein with at least 100 total audience members who have never heard a live performance of their music. Total audience numbers will be tracked by ushers, program counts, and ticket sales for the Finale Concert. A survey will be included in the programs from each of the events and audience members will be encouraged to share their thoughts on the festival. The survey includes questions that gauge audience members' previous concert attendance (project goal 3) and their experience with the music of Copland and Bernstein (project goal 4).
Of the 59 surveys completed, 45 indicated that they were regular attendees of Southwest Minnesota State University Music Program events. 9 reported that they attend occasionally. 4 responded that they rarely attend these events, and 1 person reported that this was the first Southwest Minnesota State University Music Program event they have ever attended. We hoped that the festival and our publicity would generate interest among new audience members. Unfortunately, because the surveys were not distributed during the event, it is difficult to ascertain if this happened except through anecdotal evidence (of which there is at least some evidence that this happened). However, the second focus of the survey yielded very positive results. Although 23 respondents reported that they have seen other live performances of the music of Bernstein and Copland; 24 had only heard recordings. Therefore, this was a new experience for them. Furthermore, 12 people reported that this was basically the first time they had ever heard the music of Copland and Bernstein other than as part of commercials or TV/film. We believe that this is an important achievement, and we believe that had the surveys been distributed as planned, there would have been similar or greater positive results.
Other, local or private