Arts Learning

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$46,401
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
VocalEssence
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
End Date
August 2017
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Blue Earth
Carver
Chisago
Dakota
Douglas
Fillmore
Goodhue
Hennepin
Isanti
Itasca
Mille Lacs
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Ramsey
Rice
Rock
Scott
Sherburne
Stearns
Washington
Wright
Anoka
Blue Earth
Carver
Chisago
Dakota
Douglas
Fillmore
Goodhue
Hennepin
Isanti
Itasca
Mille Lacs
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Ramsey
Rice
Rock
Scott
Sherburne
Stearns
Washington
Wright
Project Overview
Arts Learning
Project Details
VocalEssence WITNESS will provide a residency to learn songs of freedom and sanctuary with guest artist Melanie DeMore and perform in five VocalEssence concerts for two middle schools and two high schools in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Member of the Smithsonian National Board. Former chair of the board, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Officer at Large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse, Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; David Glenn: Ceramic artist. former executive director of the Minnesota Project.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Maya Beecham: Strategy and learning coordinator, Bush Foundation; visual and spoken word artist; freelance writer; Kristina Bigalk: Poet; director of creative writing, Normandale Community College; Sam Hoolihan: Visual artist and teacher; Nancy Miller: Sculptor, teacher, curator; Gregory Neidhart: Director of Winona State University arts administration program, chair of art and design department, music faculty; Peter Spooner: Former curator, Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota Duluth; William Wiktor: Retired engineer and software developer; Rochester community arts and non-profit volunteer
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 Education

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$46,401
Other Funds Leveraged
$5,706
Direct expenses
$52,107
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

150 students in Minneapolis and Saint Paul Middle and High Schools will develop new musical skills through residencies with VocalEssence teaching artists. Criteria for success: 100% of teachers indicate students have developed new musical skills, and 75% students indicate they will continue to participate in choral activities in the future. 2: 150 students in Minneapolis and Saint Paul Middle and High Schools will learn about Minnesota’s historic role as a sanctuary for the oppressed. Criteria for success: 75% of students will indicate that they have learned more about the Underground Railroad or the experience of refugees in Minnesota.

Measurable Outcome(s)

86% of 152 students agreed they developed musical skills and 64% said they will consider participating in choir again in the future. To assess the outcomes, VocalEssence staff collected data through interactive surveys and group interviews with student participants, as well as interviews with participating teachers. 2: 75% of students indicated they agree (43%) or strongly agree (32%) that know more about the Underground Railroad than they did before the program. To assess the outcomes, VocalEssence staff collected data through interactive surveys and group interviews with student participants, as well as interviews with participating teachers.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Kathryn Roberts, Fred Moore, Jacob Wolkowitz, Roma Calatayud-Stocks, Julie Bader, Ann Barkelew, Traci V. Bransford, Julie Henderson Craven, Debbie Estes, Ann Farrell, Rick Ford, Wayne Gisslen, Art Kaemmer, M.D., Joseph Kalkman, David L. Mona, David Myers, Nancy F. Nelson., James Odland, Cay Shea Hellervik, Karl Speak, Timothy Takach, Jenny Wade, Dorene Wernke, Steve Aggergaard, Mary Ann Aufderheide, Philip Brunelle, Robert C. Smith
Project Manager
First Name
Elissa
Last Name
Weller
Organization Name
VocalEssence
Street Address
1900 Nicollet Ave
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55403
Phone
(612) 547-1452
Email
elissa@vocalessence.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