Community Arts

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$5,000

Fund Source

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Recipient

Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota AKA Lao Assistance Center

Recipient Type

Non-Profit Business/Entity

Status

Completed

Start Date

April 2014

End Date

September 2014

Activity Type

Grants/Contracts

Counties Affected

Hennepin

Project Overview

Community Arts

Project Details

Funding for a year-long training and mentoring program with Lao theater artists to dramatize refugee family stories. The program will culminate in two weekends of public performances to take place in August and October 2014.

Competitive Grant Making Body

Board Members and Qualifications

Julie Andersen: Executive Director, Eagan Art House; Jill Anfang: Program Director, Roseville Parks and Recreation; Bethany Brunsell: Music Teacher and Performer; Kathy Busch: Realtor and Shakopee School Board Member; Shelly Chamberlain: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Operations Director; Paul Creager: Saint Paul Public Schools Administrator, Square Lake Film Festival Director; Joan Elwell: Lakeshore Players Executive Director; Mary Erickson: Eastern Carver County Schools Community Education; Kristi Gaudette: Prior Lake Savage Community Education; Peter Leggett: Walker West Music Academy Executive Director; Dayna Martinez: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; Christine Murakami Noonan: Minnesota State Fair Foundation; Margaret Rog: Consultant and Grant Writer; Heather Rutledge: ArtReach Saint Croix Executive Director; Rachel Smoka: Children's Theatre Company Development Officer; Beth Starbuck: Vocal Performer; Dameun Strange: Composer and Performer; Melissa Wright: William Mitchell College of Law.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Stacey Poirer: Artistic, General Management; James Lekvin: Artistic, Fundraising, General Management; Shauna Dee: General Management; Laura Narhi: Fundraising, General Management; Risheka Remus: General Management; Alison Schaub: General Management, Community Service, Organizational Development; Donna Saul Millen: General Management, Organizational Development, Volunteerism; Colleen McLaughlin: Fundraising, General Management, Organizational Development; Sara Zanussi: General Management, Education.

Conflict of Interest Disclosed

Project Details: 2014 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision

Laws of Minnesota 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 3

Appropriation Language

ACHF Cultural Heritage

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$5,000

Other Funds Leveraged

$5,000

Direct expenses

$10,000

Administration costs

Number of full time equivalents funded

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

1,000 people attend presentations of Lao theater by 25 different emerging artists. Surveys show that 95% of the participants gain new skills to tell their stories creatively to the community.Evaluations will include audience/participation count, audience and artist surveys, and post-performance feedback, plus community focus groups. Journals will be kept when appropriate in addition to blogs and oral histories of the process gathered.

Measurable Outcome(s)

We identified over 50 emerging artists and others who wanted to share their stories and 42 directly participated in programs throughout the year. They continue to remain in contact with Refugee Nation and each other. They presented during a 3-day Summer performance, and a 3-day Fall performance with total attendance of at least 643 with 89% positive feedback in surveys.

Description of Funds

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members

Viphone Thammarak, Vixay Doangvixay, Linda Chandavong, Jeffrey Sisomnuk, Foun Manivanh, Khamsene Vongsoth, Seuth Saly, Tom Thonsirisack

Project Manager

Sunny

Chanthanouvong

Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota AKA Lao Assistance Center

503 Irving Ave N

Minneapolis

55405-1297