Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant for Organizations

As a result of this program people of all ages, ethnicities and abilities will participate in the arts. Last year's finalists included storytellers in a wide age range, two Native American storytellers and one storyteller on the autism spectrum. Storytelling is often described as an equal opportunity art form. As a result of this program, the audience will reflect similar diversity. Audience surveys will be inserted in the program asking what people learned about storytelling as an art form and ways to improve the experience. Judges will again be asked to suggest ways to improve the way entries are scored and ranked. Finalists will be invited to make suggestions and asked to encourage other storytellers they know to enter in the future. In addition, Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council members and the Great American Story Committee evaluate the event.