Arts Access

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$14,310
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Bloomington Theatre and Art Center AKA Artistry
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
November 2015
End Date
August 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Arts Access
Project Details
Bloomington Theatre and Art Center will pilot PenARTS in Penelope 35, a federally-subsidized housing complex, to increase arts engagement among 80 low-income seniors.
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; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Private equity manager; board chair, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Maya Beecham: Education team coordinator, Bush Foundation; visual and spoken word artist; freelance writer; Mary Bromen: Executive Director, Dakota Woodlands Women's and Family Homeless Shelter; John Connelly: Independent consultant to nonprofits, photographer; Scott Dixon: Artist and administrator, Commonweal Theatre; Sandra Gillespie: Visual artist; online writing instructor, University of Alaska Anchorage; former program director, Alaska State Council on the Arts; Fatima Said: Executive director, Project FINE (Focus on Integrating Newcomers through Education) in Winona; Robert Weisenfeld: Director of government grants and sponsored programs, Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter
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

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$14,310
Other Funds Leveraged
$1,590
Direct expenses
$15,901
Administration costs
$1,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Eighty low-income seniors will increase arts activity with a combination of on-site workshops and an outing to a musical production, all at no cost to participants. Participants will complete pre- and post-program evaluations, artists, BTAC and Penelope 35 staff will observe and report on participation throughout the program. Activities, transportation and supplies will be provided at no cost to participants. 2: For the first time, BTAC will co-design and implement a pilot program with neighbor Penelope 35, one of only 151 HUD Section 202 properties in Minnesota, serving low-income seniors. Penelope 35 and BTAC staff will complete assessments regarding the success of the program in meeting its goals, and also the working methods of the partnership, to help guide any future programs or partnerships between the two organizations.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Eighty low-income seniors and forty-nine others increased arts engagement through on-site workshops and attending live theater, at no cost to participants. Evaluation was both quantitative and qualitative methods. Pre- and post-evaluations were given to residents tracking their expectations and experiences through numerical scales and comments. In addition, Penelope 35 staff completed written evaluations sharing their observations of changes in residents' attitudes, accomplishments, and relationships. The classes, teaching artists, theater performance, and overall program design received high marks from residents and staff alike. 2: Artistry successfully co-designed an arts program with Penelope 35, one of only 151 HUD Sec. 202 properties serving low-income seniors in Minnesota. As noted above, the existence and success of this two-organization partnership to provide arts access to an underrepresented group was evaluated through resident surveys, evaluations completed by organization staff and teaching artists, notes and emails exchanged by organization staff, and reflective conversations at the culmination of the program.

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Jason Moore, Rob Lunz, Cyndi Kaye Meier, Brian Prentice, MaryAnne London, Greg Wolsky, Paul Zech, Paul Seminari, John Schuerman, Karen Snedeker, Amy Lueders
Project Manager
First Name
Andrea
Last Name
Specht
Organization Name
Bloomington Theatre and Art Center AKA Artistry
Street Address
1800 Old Shakopee Rd W
City
Bloomington
State
MN
Zip Code
55431
Phone
(952) 563-8569
Email
aspecht@artistrymn.org
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