Arts Access

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$17,725
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Black Storytellers Alliance AKA BSA
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2019
End Date
December 2019
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Dakota
Hennepin
Ramsey
Scott
Stearns
St. Louis
Dakota
Hennepin
Ramsey
Scott
Stearns
St. Louis
Project Overview

Arts Access

Project Details

Black Storytellers Alliance will reach women in the Minnesota correctional facilitiy in Shakopee with an electrifying, multifaceted journey through the African American cultural experience with African drums, storytelling, and two nationally acclaimed vocalists.

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.; 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.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Heather Allen: Program officer, Central Minnesota Arts Board; Adam Courville: St Paul Public Schools fund development and grant management; Robert Kern: Photographer; Arts Board grantee; Rupa Nair: Dancer with Katha Dance Theatre; cost controls specialist with construction company Weston Solutions; Mónica Segura-Schwartz: Board member, GREAT Theatre, Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, St Cloud School District

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2017 Regular Session, chapter 91, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$17,725
Other Funds Leveraged
$4,036
Direct expenses
$21,761
Administration costs
$1,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

BSA uses two important storytelling tools: primary orality evoking emotional connection and audience interaction: they share the production's power. BSA will use a professionally developed survey instrument to evaluate how folks felt about the performances. This evaluation tool will seek to capture what the audience and artists gained from the experience in their own words. 2: BSA has design this production to be a life affirming and life changing, inspirational experience. It intentional portrays personal resiliency. BSA will solicit written reviews from the audience, institutional staff and the artists encouraging each to use the medium with which they are most comfortable (words or pictures) for their reviews.

Measurable Outcome(s)

BSA exceeded its proposed outcome of the evoking emotional responses from the audience. The event was sent to the electrifying lean magnificent!. BSA used the professionally designed Survey Instrument containing ten multiple-choice and two open ended questions. We obtained responses from those in attendance. 2: The overwhelmingly enthusiastic audience response delivered a clear affirmation that the production was inspiring and life affirming!. BSA obtained written responses evaluating the performance from the women who are incarcerated, the staff of the institution, visiting dignitaries in attendance and the artists.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved proposed outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Recipient Board Members
Nothando Zulu, Darrell Gillespie, Mahmoud El-Kati, Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Makeda Zulu-Gillespie, Stephanie Dillard, Edwin Clarke, Sherrie Pugh, Vusumuzi Zulu
Project Manager
First Name
Vusumuzi
Last Name
Zulu
Organization Name
Black Storytellers Alliance
Street Address
1112 Newton Ave N
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55411-3705
Phone
(612) 529-5864
Email
vzulu@blackstorytellers.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