Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Katayoun Amjadi
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2015
End Date
February 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Ramsey
Hennepin
Ramsey
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Amjadi will produce “Exileware: Persian Diaspora & Pottery in Minnesota” creating dinnerware that focuses on the impact of transnational migration on individual and collective experiences of everyday life. She will host nine open studio events and participate in the Persian Student Organization of Minnesota’s winter solstice celebration.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
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. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher; Wendy Dayton: Arts and community leader and philanthropist.; Sean Dowse, Executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Music Coalition, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; David Glenn: Executive director of the Minnesota Project, ceramic artist; Ellen McInnis: Director of Twin Cities government relations, Wells Fargo. Member of Bottineau Boulevard Partnership. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Brenda Brousseau: Visual artist, app developer and software company owner; Laddavanh Insixiengmay: Lao weaving artist and designer, cofounder of Lao Cultural Center, founder of SihnNaChampa Dance Theatre; Leann Johnson: Graphic designer, illustrator and ceramic tile artist; Stephen Klassen: Twin Cities sculptor and painter working primarily with wood; Kristin Makholm: Executive director, Minnesota Museum of American Art; Edie Overturf: Cofounder, LegUp Studio, visiting assistant professor of printmaking, University of Minnesota Twin Cities; Emily Stover: Visual artist and designer, adjunct instructor in design at University of Minnesota; Delina White: Folk and traditional artist from Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$10,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To create a body of functional ceramic vessels that reconciles my appreciation for both historical Persian pottery and the Legacy of Warren Mackenzie in Minnesota. I will take an independent class with Mark Pharis and hold critique sessions with peers and members of the Persian community to expand my technical skills and develop a hybrid style of pottery. 2: To engage the community of Persian immigrants that rarely crosses paths with the art community of Minnesota and to establish a loyal relationship with a potential audience for my future projects. I will introduce the Persian community to NE Minneapolis art scene by holding regular interviews/open studio sessions to discuss and witness the relationship between art, people, and life.

Measurable Outcome(s)

A body of functional ceramic works. Four additional video projection and sculptures. An exhibition/ ceremonial event dedicated to communities involved in this project. Holding regular bi-weekly critique sessions helped her to solve the technical challenges. Northeast sculptor friends offered a great deal of support with construction questions and her ceramic professor gave her guidance. 2: The actual outcome matches exactly with the proposed outcome. After holding just a few invitational open studio events, through the word of mouth, more and more volunteers participated in the project and the project started to roll spontaneously based on community’s desire of interacting with one another.

Description of Funds
Project Manager
First Name
Katayoun
Last Name
Amjadi
Organization Name
Katayoun Amjadi
State
MN
Phone
(952) 217-6885
Email
amjad003@umn.edu
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