Arts Activities Support

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Rain Taxi, Inc. AKA Rain Taxi Review of Books
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
June 2015
End Date
December 2015
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Ramsey
Ramsey
Project Overview
Arts Activities Support
Project Details
Funding for the 15th annual Twin Cities Book Festival, a free one-day public literary event featuring readings, panel discussions, book signings, writing workshops, book art demonstrations, storytelling, and other activities for all ages. The festival will take place in the Historic Progress Center and Fine Arts Building at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in October 2014.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Julie Andersen: Eagan Art House Executive Director; Jill Anfang: Roseville Parks and Recreation Program Director; Bethany Brunsell: Music Teacher and performer; Kathy Busch: Realtor, Shakopee School Board Member; Shelly Chamberlain: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Operations Director; Joan Elwell: Lakeshore Players Executive Director; Mary Erickson: Eastern Carver County Schools Community Education; Anthony Galloway: Actor, storyteller, West Metro Education Program; Jamil Jude: Theatre artist; Peter Leggett: Walker West Music Academy Executive Director; Dayna Martinez: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; Coleen McLaughlin: Arts Midwest Director of External Relations; Tom Moffatt: Silverwood Park Supervisor; Christine Murakami Noonan: Minnesota State Fair Foundation; Heather Rutledge: ArtReach Saint Croix Executive Director; Rachel Smoka-Richardson: Minnesota Public Radio Development Officer; Dameun Strange: Composer and performer; Melissa Wright: Twin Cities Public Television.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Lori-Anne Williams: Fundraising, administration, marketing; Scott Pakudaitis: Artistic, organizational development, marketing; Jennifer Marshall: Education, artistic, administration; Courtney Kupsch: Fundraising, administration; Erin Brueggemann: Artistic, disabilities specialist, organizational planning; Justin Merritt: Education; Kari Schloner: Administration; Eric Selle: Volunteerism, artistic, disabilities specialist; Brandon Bagaason: Artistic, fundraising, education.
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$55,000
Direct expenses
$65,000
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The 2015 Twin Cities Book Festival will attract 7500 adult and child attendees to the day-long celebration which features over 200 participating artists exhibiting and presenting their literary work through signings, mingling, readings, panel discussions, and more. Qualitatively, the Festival will provide unique experiences and opportunities for attendees to engage with authors of all kinds through mingling, signings, readings, and short presentations, as well as soaking in the rich literary quality of the Twin Cities has to offer for adults and children through the plethora of exhibitors, including publishers, authors, interactive book arts, and more. Our evaluation plan includes providing surveys to all who attend the Twin Cities Book Festival in the exhibit hall and at the readings in the Fine Arts building; as well, we will pass out raffle tickets for attendees to enter a free raffle, to get a general count of attendance as well as gain some general demographic information, and capture emails in order to send out a post-Festival survey. All exhibitors will also receive surveys after the Festival to gauge their success that day, as well as guest authors and participants who will give feedback about their experience during the Festival.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Nearly 6000 attended the Festival. The adult readings attracted over 2000, and the children's/youth stages attracted 1100 over the course of the day. 236 authors and organizations presented or exhibited at the Festival, with 140 local authors appearing and 18 visiting authors. Over 62% said it was their first visit to the Festival, with 40% staying 3+ hours. Over 90% intend to go next year.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Kelly Everding, Michael Fallon, Kevin Fenton, Mark Gustafson, Kristen Hager, Timothy Hedges, Pamela Klinger-Horn, Kathryn Kysar, Eric Lorberer, Karen Olson, Margaret Telfer, Elisabeth Workman
Project Manager
First Name
Kelly
Last Name
Everding
Organization Name
Rain Taxi, Inc. AKA Rain Taxi Review of Books
Street Address
PO Box 3840
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55403
Phone
(612) 825-1528
Email
kelly@raintaxi.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
Location

PO Box 14106
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114 

Phone
Project Manager: Kathy Mouacheupao
651-645-0402
Email the Agency