Arts Activities Support

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Association
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2016
End Date
December 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Hennepin
Project Overview
Arts Activities Support
Project Details
Funding to perform six Free Concerts for Seniors during July 2016. Four coffee concerts will be held at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, with listeners bused in from senior care facilities throughout the Twin Cities. Community concerts will al
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; Shelly Chamberlain: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Operations Director; Marisol Chiclana-Ayla: Artist, Board Chair of El Arco Iris; Anthony Galloway: Actor, storyteller, West Metro Education Program; Jamil Jude: Theatre artist; Tricia Khutoretsky: Public Functionary Curator and Co-Director; 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; Kathy Mouacheupao: Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation Cultural Corridor Coordinator; Adam Napoli-Rangel: Artist; Heather Rutledge: ArtReach Saint Croix Executive Director; Andrea Sjogren: Hopkins Public Schools Youth Programs Coordinator; Dameun Strange: Composer and Performer; Melissa Wright: Twin Cities Public Television.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
J Wren Supak: Artistic, education, Community Education; Kristen Cooper: Fundraising, artistic, general management, computer systems; Becky Franklin: General management, fundraising, audience development; Christopher Bineham: General management, fundraising, artistic; Christina Dahlheimer: Fundraising, organizational development, general management; Mary McGreevy: General management, organizational development, artistic; Bob Peskin: General management, finance, fundraising; Liz Lassiter: Youth programming, artistic, Community Education.
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
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$47,295
Direct expenses
$57,295
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

A total of 2,800 senior citizens will attend 6 free concerts for seniors performed by the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra during the summer of 2015. Enthusiasm for these concerts will be measured by full-to-capacity audiences for each concert at Nicollet Island and excited applause for each selection. We evaluate the outcomes of our concert events by counting our audiences, collecting participant surveys from senior group leaders, observing and noting audience response to the music and hospitality at our concert events, and talking to our patrons and volunteers for feedback. The greatest indicator that our outcomes meet and exceed our expectations is the clamor for reservations in January, and the rush of seniors who wait outside the venue an hour and a half before the concert hoping to get seats close to the orchestra.

Measurable Outcome(s)

About 2,250 people attended 5 concerts: 500 each x 4 at Nicollet Island; and 250 at Elliot Park. 45 musicians, 1 conductor and two guest artists performed. Audience members enjoyed these performances, judging from enthusiastic applause and survey comments: “The whole thing is wonderful! Great setting, wonderful music, excellent volunteers and the seniors love having the treats.” – Group Leader. The artistic goal of this project, “to provide artistically excellent, live orchestra performances, created especially for audiences that usually do not have access to such performances,” was achieved. Concerts were highly successful, drawing large crowds of people (averaging 500 at Nicollet Island) who provided excellent feedback for evaluation. Artistic quality was high for the orchestra, guest artists were excellent and personable with the audience, and repertoire was an obvious hit with seniors. They especially enjoyed Gershwin’s “American in Paris,” along with the patriotic tunes in the MPO’s Fourth of July celebration. The Minneapolis Pops Orchestra collaborated with internationally renowned Celtic string duo Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas in a performance at Nicollet Island. Soloists performed an array of Scottish and Celtic music with great artistry. Several new arrangements for orchestral accompaniment with the duo were premiered as well. The artistic process is challenging every year for several reasons: (1) Only one rehearsal for each concert; (2) performances in different venues than rehearsals; (3) outdoor venues with wind, sun, high or low temperatures, etc. Musicians and administrators have learned to adjust to all these factors, and in fact enjoy the challenge. Unfortunately, lack of funding forced the cancellation of the St Paul performance. Originally scheduled for Cerenity/Humboldt, we had changed the location to Como Park Pavilion in order to increase general audience, draw more seniors from St Paul, and provide a more convenient venue for St Paul patrons who already attended Nicollet Island concerts. This was the only change to “Free Concerts for Seniors.” The community served was exactly as listed in the proposal: “low-income senior citizens, many living with disabilities.” Senior activity centers and day care facilities serving low-income seniors were invited to the four Nicollet Island concerts, which were at seating capacity for all four performances. Seniors from the Elliot Park neighborhood and Augustana Residence (across the street) attended that performance. Attendance at Elliot Park was higher than usual because of the lovely weather the day of the performance. “We love everything about coming . . . the comfortable space, fantastic refreshments, generous donors; but most of all hearing the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra’s splendid performance! Oh my, what a treat. This is only one of many years of attending this July series at Nicollet Island. We (my senior citizens and I) attend 3 or 4 concerts every summer. Thank you SO VERY much! It enriches our lives in immeasurable ways!” – Senior group leader. The diversity of this senior community was just as proposed. The audience at Nicollet Island exhibits a wide range of mobility and disability. Invitations are issued to senior facilities throughout the Twin Cities, many working with Volunteers of America. We cannot control for racial or ethnic diversity; seniors who choose to attend these concerts are primarily white, although every year we see a gradual increase in racial diversity at Nicollet Island. Based on the list of facilities invited and comments received from group leaders, we believe that many attendees are low-income and could not afford concert tickets at more traditional venues. The audience at Elliot Park is extremely diverse, with many attendees of color, neighborhood residents of all ages, and seniors who listen from their windows or the verandah at the Augustana Residence. Since the targeted audience is low-income seniors with disabilities, every effort is made to provide access. All venues are ADA accessible, and seating areas have wide aisles for mobility aids. Concerts are free, transportation is provided for those who need it, and seniors are assisted from vans or buses to their seats. Large-print programs and appropriate amplification systems are used, and access to the cultural medium is provided through the Music Director’s informal comments during the performance. “Loved the show! Music, venue, and treats were great. So accommodating for our group. Wheel chair and walker friendly. One of our group’s members was the owner of the Dick Kast Orchestra and had tears in his eyes he was so happy! Thank you for a wonderful morning!” – Group Leader.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Cynthia Stokes, Lynn Erickson, William Goldman, Tom Austin, Mark Bjork, Michael Coddington, Richard Gaynor, John Gray, Shelley Hanson, Mark Kausch, Kathleen Kresge, Jere Lantz, Martha Stutsman, Barbara Thomas, Arnold Walker, Richard J Wildberger
Project Manager
First Name
Lucia
Last Name
Magney
Organization Name
Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Association
Street Address
2712 41st Ave S
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55406-1810
Phone
(612) 219-1707
Email
lmagney@bitstream.net
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