Community Arts

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Hmong Cultural Center
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
June 2017
End Date
May 2018
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Ramsey
Ramsey
Project Overview

Community Arts

Project Details

Qeej Instruction Class. Funding to support the Hmong Cultural Center's Qeej Instructional Program. The Center's Qeej classes are offered 3 afternoons a week to teach children and youth how to play the Qeej, a bamboo wind pipe instrument that plays a pivotal role in the traditional Hmong funeral ceremony and the Hmong culture more generally. Classes will run from June 2017 through July 2018 at the Hmong Cultural Center in St Paul.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Julie Andersen: Eagan Art House Executive Director; Bethany Brunsell: Music teacher, performer; Shelly Chamberlain: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Operations Director; Marisol Chiclana-Ayla: Artist, Board Chair at El Arco Iris; Jamil Jude: Theatre artist; Tricia Khutoretsky: Public Functionary Curator and Co-Director; Peter Leggett: Walker West Music Academy Executive Director; Dayna Martinez: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts; Coleen McLaughlin: Arts Midwest Director of External Relations; Tom Moffatt: Silverwood Park Supervisor; Osman Mohamed Ali: Somali Museum of Minnesota Founder and Executive Director; Kathy Mouacheupao: Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support, Corporation Cultural Corridor Coordinator; Adam Napoli-Rangel: Artist; Heather Rutledge: ArtReach Saint Croix Executive Director; Djenane Saint Juste: Afoutayi Dance Company Founder; Andrea Sjogren: Hopkins Public Schools Youth Programs Coordinator; Dameun Strange: Composer, Performer; Melissa Wright: Twin Cities Public Television.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Robert Cuerden: Audience development, marketing, fundraising, organizational, development, planning; Janet Fried: Artistic, education; Laura Krider: General management, administration, artistic; Vong Lee: Artistic, youth programming, community service, development; Anna Min: Audience development, marketing, organizational development; Noel Nix: Community service, development, general administration, organizational development; Nasibu Sareva: General administration, fundraising, community service, development; Joyce Strand: Youth programming; Joko Sutrisno: Artistic, education, audience development, marketing, general administration.

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
$5,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$10,000
Direct expenses
$15,000
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Over the grant period, Qeej Classes are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons at Hmong Cultural Center from 5-7 PM (6 hours weekly) and at least 30 students receive Qeej instruction at the center in Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Groups. The Qeej Music program is evaluated through an assessment of student attendance, periodic instructor examination of student ability, and an annual survey of students and parents. Outcomes of interest in the evaluation process for the Qeej instrument after-school program in 2017 include the following: Demonstrated development of personal skills performing the Qeej and understanding of the larger cultural meaning of Qeej songs. Increased student self-esteem, confidence and pride in their Hmong cultural heritage. Increased mutual respect and development of positive relationships between students, parents, and elders in the Hmong community.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The most significant outcome associated with the project was the continued availability of instruction in the Qeej musical instrument for a sizable number of children and youth in the Saint Paul area. The only other source of this instruction are expensive private lessons by local Qeej masters. The Qeej instrument plays a pivotal role in the traditional Hmong funeral ceremony and Hmong culture.

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Dao Xiong, Dr. Gerald Fry, MaiYia Yang, Shuly Her, Vong Thao, Chad Lee
Project Manager
First Name
Txongpao
Last Name
Lee
Organization Name
Hmong Cultural Center
Street Address
379 University Ave Ste 214
City
St Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55103
Phone
(651) 917-9937
Email
txong@hmongcc.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
Location

PO Box 14106
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55114 

Phone
Project Manager: Kathy Mouacheupao
651-645-0402
Email the Agency