Arts Organization Development

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$840
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
West Central Singers
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
September 2016
End Date
May 2017
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Kandiyohi
Stearns
Renville
Kandiyohi
Stearns
Renville
Project Overview
Arts Organization Development
Project Details
Building West Central Singers
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
John White: writer, photographer, retired journalist; Georgette Jones: literature teacher, theatre actor/director/teacher; Marilee Strom: musician, former art teacher, business owner; Kathy Fransen: musician, theatre, Rhythm of the River coordinator; Janet Olney: visual artist, Willmar Area Arts Council coordinator; Joyce Meyer: photographer, retired art teacher, Canby Arts Council; Kate Aydin: retired educator; Paula Nemes: musician, librarian, former coordinator of Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, Marshall Area Stage Company; Tom Wirt: artist, owner Clay Coyote Gallery, Hutchinson Center for the Arts, past member Hutchinson Public Arts Commission; Susan Marco: writer, former High School English/creative writing teacher; Kelly Muldoon: graphic artist, Prairie Music Association, Prairie Oasis Players; Dan Wahl: writer, visual artist, director, adjunct English instructor at Southwest Minnesota State University; Anne O’Keefe-Jackson: human resources director, bead and quill artist; Cindy Reverts: visual artist, Rock County Fine Arts Association treasurer, Council for Arts in Humanities in Rock County; Brett Lehman: Worthington International Festival, Worthington City Band, Worthington Concert Association; Reggie Gorter: vocalist, theatre, voice/dance teacher; Dana Johnson: producer/filmmaker; Scott Tedrick: journalist, Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization, theatre director/actor.
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Georgette Jones: literature teacher, theatre actor/director/teacher, Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Board member; Anne O’Keefe-Jackson: human resources director, bead and quill artist, Southwest Minnesota Arts Council board member; Cindy Reverts: visual artist, Rock County Fine Arts Association treasurer, Council for Arts in Humanities in Rock County, Southwest Minnesota Arts Council board member; Dan Wahl: writer, visual artist, director, adjunct English instructor at Southwest Minnesota State University, Southwest Minnesota Arts Council board member; Tom Wirt: artist, owner Clay Coyote Gallery, Hutchinson Center for the Arts, past member Hutchinson Public Arts Commission, Southwest Minnesota Arts Council Board member.
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

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$840
Other Funds Leveraged
$40
Direct expenses
$880
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.00
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The entire organization centers on the experience of learning new music, understanding and performing all music to its highest level, and performing in concerts in such a way as to enrich the arts in our community. By implementing solid financial practices, we will strengthen the organization’s operations and encourage manageable growth. A financial software system that helps us manage growing costs in a responsible way will also help us maintain the low dues and ticket prices, thereby helping to overcome barriers to accessing high-quality arts activities for both participants and audience members. Producing a video that shares our group in a larger circle than is presently known will give us the chance to really expand and build upon what we already do. That video may also introduce some people, people who don't sing or don't perform, to the world of choral singing. We will implement a survey system, analyzing the number of participants and the likelihood that they will return to sing in subsequent seasons, and analyzing the number of concert attendees, assuming that as long as the attendance does not decline that we are presenting programs that people want to see, enjoy, and will attend again in the future. We'll have to be very diligent to determine if any growth we see in participants or audience can be attributed to the video itself. This analysis would include both the surveys and personal interviews. Finally, implementing the financial software for the group will instantly improve how we track expenses and income. When the financial data is accurate and can be easily maintained by volunteer staff, then we will be able to continue to provide an affordable experience for all.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The new software provides access by multiple, password protected parties, automatically downloads and categorizes expenses and income, and provides a host of reports – all of which will insure that we have an excellent treasury record as we move forward.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
John D. Jahr, Randy Wright, Donna Brau, Jackie Cunningham, Nanette Serbus, Marvelle Stone, Cynthia Kohl Tengwall
Project Manager
First Name
Donna
Last Name
Brau
Organization Name
West Central Singers
Street Address
1684 78th Ave NE
City
Willmar
State
MN
Zip Code
56201
Phone
(320) 905-1637
Email
dbrau@charter.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

509 W Main St, PO Box 55
Marshall, Minnesota 56258 

Phone
Phone Manager: Nicole DeBoer
(507) 537-1471
Email the Agency