Arts Access

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$49,750
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Illusion Theater and School, Inc. AKA Illusion Theater
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2020
End Date
June 2022
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Hennepin
Anoka
Hennepin
Project Overview

Arts Access

Project Details

Illusion will engage members of the homeless community from the northern five counties of the Twin Cities metro area with arts activities, incorporating their personal stories into presentations that speak to diverse audiences and provide access to Illusion's work.

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

Catherine Belleveau: Founder and artistic director, Mask and Rose Women's Theater Collective; Kaitlyn Bohlin: Director of individual giving, the Loft; Dorinda Broderson: Management consultant, painter; Beatrice Rothweiler: Lawyer and nonprofit consultant; Avinash Viswanathan: Director of community engagement, Nexus Community Partners

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
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
$49,750
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$49,750
Administration costs
$7,250
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Illusion will expand its connection to our homeless community by giving voice to their personal stories and actively engaging them with the theater. Results tracked by survey responses/direct input from homeless participants. Feedback from Illusion artists and leadership. Attendance and feedback at workshops, performances and Adventure Club outings to Illusion. Input/feedback from advisory group. 2: The Twin Cities homeless community will recognize Illusion as a place they can engage with the arts, where they are empowered, respected and welcomed. Results tracked by survey of responses/direct input from homeless participants, attendance in Adventure Club outings to Illusion, tracking Illusion attendance from the homeless community, and input/feedback from advisory group.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Illusion expanded its connection to the homeless community by engaging them with our artists and giving voice to their personal stories. Evaluation methods included: Feedback from the homeless participants, Discussions with Stepping Stone Emergency Housing (SSEH) staff and Illusion Artists, Input and feedback from our Advisory Group. 2: Members of the Twin Cities homeless community see Illusion as a place where they're welcomed and respected, and where they can engage with the arts. Evaluation methods included: Survey of responses/direct input from homeless participants, Attendance in Adventure Club outing to Illusion, Input/feedback from Advisory Group.

Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Recipient Board Members
Stan Alleyne, John Beal, Anthony Bohaty, Willie Bridges, Barbara Brin, Lisa Cotter, Dani P. Deering, Pat Dunleavy, Keith Halperin, Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, Tim Johnson, Maureen Long, Lori Liss, Christopher Madel, Vivian Martin, Tiffany Moore, Bonnie Mor
Project Manager
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Robins
Organization Name
Illusion Theater and School, Inc. AKA Illusion Theater
Street Address
528 Hennepin Ave Ste 704
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55403-1814
Phone
(612) 339-4944x 208
Email
mrobins@illusiontheater.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