Artist Initiative
Artist Initiative
Taffordi will reach new audiences for her diorama works depicting scenes of her childhood in Iran, opening the door to conversations with Minnesotans about Persian culture and her experiences as an immigrant.
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.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse: Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Philip McKenzie, Oboe and English horn player; adjunct oboe faculty, NDSU; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen: Executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; coordinator, First Stage Gallery; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund.; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
Nicole Chamberlain-Dupree: Executive director, MN Marine Art Museum; Nicholas DeVries: Ceramic artist and teacher; Arts Board grantee; Kristina Estell: Sculptor and installation artist; arts educator; Arts Board grantee; Nicole Havekost: Sculptor; Arts Board grantee; Suzanne Kosmalski: Installation artist and photographer; Arts Board grantee; Kari Lindquist-Weber: Painter; Arts Board grantee; Thomas McGregor: Painter; Arts Board grantee; Drew Peterson: Printer and educator; Arts Board grantee; Susan Shields: Artist; Arts Board grantee; MCAD faculty
ACHF Arts Access
To share Niccu's dioramas with the public, and encourage an understanding of Persian culture and history, and her experiences as an Iranian-American. We will collect comments from the public in a comment book, in English and in Persian. These comments will be posted to Niccu's website, demonstrating how the audience has been affected by her work. 2: Niccu will develop new marketing strategies to reach new audiences with the aid of Amy Danielson, an arts marketing and communications consultant. Amy Danielson will utilize marketing outlets not yet utilized by Niccu.
Outcome 1: To share Niccu's dioramas with the public, and encourage an understanding of Persian culture and history, and her experiences as an Iranian-American. Since no exhibitions were possible during the pandemic, Niccu has maintained her website, adding new comments from her participation in the Twin Cities Iranian Culture Festival. Outcome 2: Niccu will develop new marketing strategies to reach new audiences.