Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$4,486
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Ashley W. Benites AKA Ashley Shelby
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2017
End Date
December 2017
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
McLeod
St. Louis
Wadena
Hennepin
McLeod
St. Louis
Wadena
Project Overview

Artist Initiative

Project Details

Shelby will present her debut novel, South Pole Station, in five communities across the state, at bookstore and library readings. She will also lead a workshop on publishing for aspiring writers.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Member of the Smithsonian National Board. Former chair of the board, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Officer at Large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary?s University of Minnesota. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse, Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; David Glenn: Ceramic artist. former executive director of the Minnesota Project.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Cezarija Abartis: Author; faculty member, St. Cloud State University; Nicole Helget: Memoir and fiction writer, Mankato; Vanessa Ramos: Writer, artist, educator; Arts Board grantee; Heather Slomski: Author and Arts Board grantee; writing teacher, Concordia College; Rachel Smoka-Richardson: Young adult and children's author; Arts Board grantee; Erin Soderberg Downing: Author of children's and young adult books; Arts Board grantee

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2015 Special Session, chapter 2, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$4,486
Other Funds Leveraged
$449
Direct expenses
$4,935
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

My goal is to present and promote my debut novel, and complete several readings and workshops around the state. I will have achieved my goal if I've organized a reading and a workshop for underserved communities and if I have presented/read from my novel at three bookstores or libraries across the state. 2: My goal is to provide guidance on publishing to writers in underserved communities. I will have achieved my goal if I am able to organize and produce at least one workshop on publishing geared specifically toward underserved communities.

Measurable Outcome(s)

I was able to achieve my goals of reading at three bookstores/libraries and presenting for an underserved community (out-state writers). Tracking my events and engaging with the participants in the workshop. 2: I was able to present to an underserved community (Hutchinson), though my hope had been to present to a community of color. I presented on publishing to writers outside of the Twin Cities, but was unable to organize an event in Minneapolis for writers of color as I had hoped due to scheduling issues and lack of space.

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Ashley
Last Name
Benites
Organization Name
Ashley W. Benites AKA Ashley Shelby
State
MN
Phone
(612) 669-8775x c
Email
bookofmoons@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