Artist Access Grant

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Patrick J. DeGeest
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
August 2022
End Date
June 2023
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
St. Louis
St. Louis
Project Overview

Artist Access Grant

Project Details

Expand Stand-Up Comedy in the Arrowhead Region

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Kathy Neff: musician, Director, Fine Arts Academy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Emily Swanson: arts administrator at Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community; Kris Nelson: artist, teacher; Roxann Berglund: musician; Bill Payne: Professor of Theater at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Sam Zimmerman: visual artist, teacher; Liz Engelman: dramaturg, founder and director of Tofte Lake Center; Jessica Peterson: essayist, playwright, co-founder of Yellow Tree Theater; Erin Cain: University of Minnesota-Duluth Student Liaison

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Liz Engelman: Board, Dance, Theater, Arts Administrator, Laren Faherty: textile artist; Adam McCaley painter, muralist; Kelly Schamberger visual artist

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$3,595
Direct expenses
$4,595
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In short, have two basic goals for this project: 1) To create more comedy shows/opportunities in the area 2) To use those opportunities to gradually increase my performance time on stage (moving from Host to Feature comedian) For clarity, a host typically performs 10-15 minute sets. A feature typically performs 20-30 minute sets. As mentioned before, the benefits of receiving this grant will extend well beyond the length of the project. With the right equipment, I can produce shows in perpetuity. And when I reach the ability to perform a 30 minute set, the next step is 40, then 50, etc. I would measure my success in two ways: First, would be to create performance opportunities for myself and other local comedians, as well as bring entertainment to areas of the Arrowhead Region that don't get to experience stand-up comedy. This is a near certainty to achieve as I have already learned the fundamentals of producing my shows, and I've talked to multiple venues that are interested. In many cases, all I need is the equipment. After that, the shows will happen. My second goal is to progress from Host to Feature by the end of this project. I believe that with ample opportunity, I will be able to reach the level of feature by performing a competent set of approximately 25 minutes in lenght.

Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Patrick
Last Name
DeGeest
Organization Name
Patrick J. DeGeest
State
MN
Phone
(772) 812-0772
Email
degeestcomedy@gmail.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
Location

424 West Superior Street, Suite 104
Duluth, MN 55802

Phone
Project Manager: Rebecca Graves
218-722-0952
Email the Agency