Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Siama Matuzungidi
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2015
End Date
June 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Matuzungidi will release a CD of classic and new soukous songs. Having recorded more than 100 Congolese songs, the singer/guitarist will record new versions of his most popular compositions for the album. A CD release event will take place in Minneapolis.
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
Jian-Jun Chen-Edmund: Assistant professor of music education, University of Minnesota Duluth; Ryan French: Director of marketing and public relations, Walker Art Center; Asako Hirabayashi: Composer and harpsichordist; Laura MacKenzie: Performing musician and teacher of traditional music; Matthew McCright: International piano soloist and chamber musician, piano faculty member, Carleton College; John Munson: Band member, The New Standards and The Twilight Hours, music director, Wits radio program on American Public Media; Rebecca Petersen: Executive director, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra
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
$2,775
Direct expenses
$12,775
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The songs on Siama's new CD will reflect expansion of his technique as a result of cross-pollinating with musicians of other genres. The result will be evident on the CD in the juxtaposition of the traditional roots of his soukous and rumba songs interwoven with a variety of rhythmic patterns and inventive harmonic surprises. 2: Siama will begin to learn about many aspects of the business of music, from publishing and distribution to marketing and promotion. Siama will document dates and learnings as he participates in fourteen consultations with a variety of music professionals (Springboard for the Arts, musicians, booking managers, promoters and marketers).

Measurable Outcome(s)

Siama created an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from musicians from many cultural backgrounds in a supportive, joyous environment. Combining disparate elements is a challenge. Siama's sound, welcoming nature, his pre-work and the freedom he fostered during the sessions combined with the musicians' skill to create in a cohesive, natural collection of songs. As Banning Eyre wrote, It's hard to say what makes such unlikely fusions feel enticing and organic, rather than gimmicky and strange, but Siama has found that elusive alchemy here. For all its bold collaborative forays, this album feels personal. 2: Siama met with fifty-two people in positions that intersect with music and came away with documentation of ideas, contacts and recommendations to increase his earning potential. The documentation from his meetings includes date, name, area of expertise and learnings e.g. recommendations, tactics, opportunities and referrals. Siama has already taken action on many of the recommendations so he's begun to generate a sustainable income as each opportunity leads to the next.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Siama
Last Name
Matuzungidi
Organization Name
Siama Matuzungidi
State
MN
Phone
(612) 987-1713
Email
matuzungidi@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