Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Swati Avasthi
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2020
End Date
December 2021
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview

Artist Initiative

Project Details

Avasthi will revise her third novel, The Art of Secret-Keeping, for submission. Along with other female writers of color, she will perform readings in the Twin Cities and hold a panel to discuss intersectionality.

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.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Vice Chair, 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. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen: Executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; coordinator, First Stage Gallery. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; 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.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Venus de Mars: Multidisciplinary artist and musician; Carson Faust: Teacher with Cow Tipping Press; Arts Board grantee; Vanessa Ramos: Writer, artist, educator; Arts Board grantee; Glenda Reed: Writer and educator; Arts Board grantee; Erin Sharkey: Writer, graphic designer, cultural producer; Molly Sutton Kiefer: Poet, essayist, editor and publisher of Tinderbox Editions in Red Wing; Diane Wilson: Dakota writer and educator

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
Yes
Conflict of Interest Contact

Executive director Sue Gens (651) 539-2650

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2019 First Special Session, chapter 2, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$10,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

I will develop my voice as a woman of color, writing about a female Asian-American experience by revising and preparing my novel for publication. I will measure this outcome by requesting anonymous written feedback from the audience. 2: By improving my skill at reading from my own work, I will be better able engage my audience, evoke emotion and empathy from my audience, and spark int. I will measure this outcome by requesting anonymous written feedback from the audience.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Swati was able to develop her voice as a woman of color, writing about a female Asian-American experience and revised her novel. Swati revised the entire novel and prepared it for publication. 2: Swati improved her skill at engaging with audiences. Unable to use evaluation method proposed. However, Swati found that using more vocal modulation when reading on Zoom, created more engagement, based on informal audience feedback.

Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Swati
Last Name
Avasthi
Organization Name
Swati Avasthi
State
MN
Phone
(612) 803-0709
Email
swatiavasthi@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