Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$9,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Constance J. Evingson AKA Connie Evingson
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2015
End Date
December 2015
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Dakota
Hennepin
Mille Lacs
Ramsey
St. Louis
Washington
Anoka
Dakota
Hennepin
Mille Lacs
Ramsey
St. Louis
Washington
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Evingson will collaborate with two musicians to create and perform American Songbook, a concert performance piece tracing the evolution of American popular music. The piece will premiere at the Jungle Theater in November 2015.
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
Jason Allen: Electronic performance artist and producer; Barbara Depman: Music administrator for Choral Arts Ensemble, Rochester; Dain Ingebretson: Freelance teaching artist, writer, producer; Martha Lindberg: Handbell director, Centenary United Methodist Church (Mankato). Music leader, Good Samaritan United Methodist Church (St Peter).; Sarah Miller: Composition, theory and piano instructor, MacPhail Center for Music; Momoko Niemi: Voice faculty, MacPhail Center for Music; Tria Vang: Program manager, Center for Hmong Arts and Talent, Hmong American hip hop artist
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
$9,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$3,000
Direct expenses
$12,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Collaborating on this project with other artists will broaden my knowledge of the subject and further develop my skills as a musician and performer. The combined ideas, music skills and knowledge base of the collaborators will create a piece of broader scope than I would create on my own. Thus, I'll learn more about the subject, learn new repertoire and expand my music and performing skills. 2: The performance piece is being designed as a touring concert that will cover a variety of musical styles and appeal to a wide range of Minnesota audience members. Concert attendance will be tabulated and audience surveys will indicate feedback about the concert experience and value of the information provided.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The concert piece created by the artist and her collaborators broadened the artist's knowledge of American Music history and expanded her repertoire, stylistic range and performing skills. Of the sixteen songs included in the program, the majority (75%) were new to the artist, and 50% were outside the artist's customary musical style, creating an opportunity for the artist to expand her repertoire and stylistic range. The narrative between songs resulted from the artist's and collaborators' research of American Music history and demonstrated expanded knowledge of the subject. 2: Audience response and surveys indicated enthusiastic appreciation for the variety of musical styles and information presented in the concert. Based on positive audience response, the concert will be marketed for touring around the state. Audience surveys and live audience response were the evaluation methods used. Surveys were included in the concert program, of which 91 were submitted. Comment/essay questions were used to inquire about the audience experience; multiple choice questions were used to measure demographics. Survey comments indicated enthusiastic interest in the variety of music styles and appreciation for the learning aspect of the experience. Demographics showed audience representation from twenty-eight cities in seven counties.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Constance
Last Name
Evingson
Organization Name
Constance J. Evingson AKA Connie Evingson
State
MN
Phone
(612) 823-5624
Email
connie@connieevingson.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