Arts Project Support

Beyond the Box 2020 will deliver six free public performances in the summer of 2020 along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. A jury of five will select three artists following a public call for applications. Each company will create and/or adapt a work for a site specific downtown location. Performances will inject a spark of vitality for the diverse Minnesotans who live, work, transit, and play along Nicollet. This program will allow for audience and artist convergence as people revel in a free, shared artistic experience.The program will also spur artistic growth in the field of public performance for Minnesota-based performance artists.The genre and style of artists/companies will be completely open, but may include drama, dance, music, puppetry, acrobatics, or more. This program asserts that *everyone* deserves access to high-quality performing arts, not just those who can afford a ticket. VSD will track event attendance and implement audience evaluation for a selection of attendees. A digitally distributed annual downtown perception survey will also include queries about the impact of these performances. Fringe will survey jurors and performers (pre- and post-surveys to gauge development and quality of program). A public artist panel following the series of performances will provide an opportunity for artists to engage with programmers and the public, share insights and experiences and speak frankly about the opportunities and challenges of creating for and performing in public spaces. All gathered data will be fully shared between VSD and Fringe, and available to artists on request. All artist-applicants not selected will be offered a free, 30-minute in-person review, providing feedback from jurors and support for any future applications.