Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant for Organizations

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$6,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Bemidji State University AKA Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
December 2015
End Date
June 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Beltrami
Mille Lacs
Carlton
Cass
Clay
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Ramsey
St. Louis
Hennepin
Hubbard
Itasca
Washington
Le Sueur
Anoka
Beltrami
Mille Lacs
Carlton
Cass
Clay
Clearwater
Crow Wing
Ramsey
St. Louis
Hennepin
Hubbard
Itasca
Washington
Le Sueur
Project Overview
Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant for Organizations
Project Details
Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Justin Holley: Author; Natalie Grosfield: Musician, actor; Joseph Allen: Professor of Art, photographer, traditional Native crafts artist; Jill Johnson: Author, musician; Sandra Roman: Art teacher, author; Gayle Highberg: Painter; Lowell Wolff: Photographer; Jane Merschman: K-12 teacher, actor, director; Mary Hilbrand: Musician; Joanne Kellner: Arts administrator, puppeteer.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Justin Holley: Author; Natalie Grosfield: Musician, actor; Joseph Allen: Professor of Art, photographer, traditional Native crafts artist; Jill Johnson: Author, musician; Sandra Roman: Art teacher, author; Gayle Highberg: Painter; Lowell Wolff: Photographer; Jane Merschman: K-12 teacher, actor, director; Mary Hilbrand: Musician.
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
$6,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$63,000
Direct expenses
$69,000
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Bring professional writers/teachers to Bemidji to deliver a high quality literary experience to our outstate community. Broaden attendees’ awareness, knowledge and appreciation of creative writing, contemporary literature, and the literary arts. Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference uses registration questionnaires, informal interviews, video interviews, event surveys, exit surveys, and evaluations. Evaluation forms (developed in collaboration with members of Bemidji State University's social work and psychology departments) are distributed at conference end. They remain anonymous and we have nearly 100% compliance. We scan and compile to disseminate to our planning committee. Responses tend to be overwhelmingly positive.

Measurable Outcome(s)

We collected 56 in-depth participant surveys. Out of 53 responses to the question - on a scale of 0-5 - "How much has this conference broadened your awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of creative writing?" 28 responded with "5” and 18 with "4" and 4 with "3." The quality of the workshop was "excellent" according to 44 of 49 responses. The quality of the Evening Reading Series was "excellent" according to 42 respondents, and the other 10 respondents felt it was "good," the next best response.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Colleen Greer, Steve Carlson, Scott Guidry, Del Lyren
Project Manager
First Name
Sean
Last Name
Hill
Organization Name
Bemidji State University AKA Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference
Street Address
1500 Birchmont Dr NE Ste 23
City
Bemidji
State
MN
Zip Code
56601-2699
Phone
(218) 308-1180
Email
writersconference@bemidjistate.edu
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 693
505 Bemidji Ave N
Bemidji, MN 56601

Phone
Project Manager: Patrick Calder Carriere
(218) 751-5447
Email the Agency