Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Todd M. Thyberg
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2013
End Date
February 2014
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Thyberg will create and produce a letterpress book, in the vein of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, that utilizes satire and encourages readers to engage in discussion of issues facing our country. This work will be exhibited during Art-A-Whirl and Art Attack.
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
Frank Byrns: Sculptor, Duluth; Eric Crosby: Assistant curator of Visual Arts, Walker Art Center; David Glenn: Executive director, The Minnesota Project. Arts administrator, artist, and arts advocate.; Kelley Meister: Multimedia artist and educator; Ernest Miller: Ceramic artist; Satoko Muratake: Artist and landscape designer; John Sterner: Sculptor, painter, arts educator; Nicole Volk: Art educator, Waterville School District
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
Yes
Conflict of Interest Contact
Executive director Sue Gens (651) 215-1600
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
$351
Direct expenses
$10,351
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

I intend to further my writing and book making skills. As I currently finish my first graphic novel, I will use the knowledge gained in this process to improve upon the quality of my second book. By comparing the finished product and reception by readers I will be able to gauge improvement. 2: I will further my skills in marketing and sales of fine art book publishing. I plan to take this book to national book fairs. By doing so, I will network with current book artists and publishers to discover the best ways to market my publications. By achieving greater exposure I should see increased interest and sales.

Measurable Outcome(s)

By using the editor and fact checker I was able to improve my written language skills. By cooperating with people who specialize in the written word, I was able to adjust my writing style to better reach my audience. We decided that calls to action were important as well as relating the content information to the readers. In comparing this book to my first, I see a more refined finished product. From the response of readers, I’ve been able to deduce that the style of the book and content were well chosen. Readers responded that the beauty of the book and the design are a nice counterpoint to the content. People have also been engaged enough to offer suggestions like including a list of ‘study questions’ which could help lead discussions with friend and family members who wish to discuss. 2: By working with a public relations manager, I’ve been able to select appropriate media outlets to focus on presenting the book. Though our success has so far been rather limited, I was able to gain one live radio interview during which we offered two books free to callers and also offered a sale discount for mentioning the radio program. I will be entering the book into more design and fine art competitions in hopes of receiving publicity and awards for design/content. I will be entering the book into the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts competition as well. I am currently discussing the book with a fine art book dealer who distributes books to national colleges and art collectors. My previous book is currently in over a dozen collections and we feel this one will achieve even higher placement. I am still learning from them about topics/styles/content that people look for or are more interested in as I consider my next book project.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Todd
Last Name
Thyberg
Organization Name
Todd M. Thyberg
State
MN
Phone
(612) 770-1153
Email
todd@angelbomb.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