Creative Support for Organizations-Round 2
Creative Support for Organizations-Round 2
North House Folk School will develop accessible online offerings, classes, and local programs to maintain strong connections with the community of artisan instructors.
Ardell Brede: former mayor of Rochester; Peggy Burnet: entrepreneur, art collector, and community volunteer; Uri Camarena: business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA); Michael Charron: executive director of grants and sponsored programs for Saint Mary's University of Minnesota., Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; Sean Dowse: former mayor of Red Wing; former executive director, Sheldon Theatre; Anthony Gardner, vice president, marketing and communications at CentraCare; Philip McKenzie: team lead with Boutique Air, founder and owner of Bluedoor 74, adjunct college faculty; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen: executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; Thomas Moss: consultant to nonprofits and government agencies; Dobson West: retired attorney; Christina Widdess: nonprofit consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre
Carrie Abfalter: Abfalter is the fund development manager for WACOSA, a nonprofit that creates day programs for adults with disabilities. In addition to her work with WACOSA, Abfalter teaches fitness classes at local gyms in Saint Cloud and enjoys spending time outdoors. Abfalter attended the College of Saint Benedict?in Saint Joseph, graduating with a bachelor of arts in social work.; Ryan Borden: Borden is an arts and culture professional with an education and equity focus. A recent arrival to Minnesota, Borden was previously the public programs manager at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ, where he collaborated with local communities to develop and execute large-scale cultural events. He has taught percussion both scholastically and independently in multiple states and has served as a panelist and reviewer for the Southwest Folklife Alliance's Master-Apprentice Program and ASU Gammage's Teaching Artists Program. Also a performing musician, he earned a MM in percussion from the University of Missouri.; Xiaohong Chen: Xiaohong Chen practices law and provides legal and financial consulting. Previously, she had held various positions with large health insurers including Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, and United Healthcare. She has been dancing with the Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater since 1994. She also has been serving as a volunteer board member there for more than 20 years. Chen holds a PhD in health services research, policy, and administration from the University of Minnesota and a JD from William Mitchell College of Law.; Sindiswa Georgiades: Sindiswa Georgiades has spent more than a decade as a project management and fund development professional. Sindiswa has a proven success record in the implementation and execution of fund procurement, project management, and organization leadership. Graduating suma cum laude with a BA in marketing management from Concordia University in Saint Paul. She also served as a Roy Wilkins Institute community fellow at the University of Minnesota.; Sandy Nadeau: Nadeau has just retired after 32 years working in the nonprofit realm in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Minnesota. She has served as an executive director, director of development, and director of communications at small, medium, and large organizations.; Briauna Williams: Williams a graphic design graduate. She is a teaching artist for the Capri Theater, Artistry, She Rock She Rock, and Young Rembrandts. Williams is a community leader and artist curating spaces for black and brown people to aid in healing with and through the arts. Williams is a muralist, self- taught artist, and henna artist. Her work has been featured at the Phoenix Theater sponsored by Springboard for the Arts, as well as an exhibition within a Duluth court house. Williams is motivated by youth and her community. Black peoples' struggles and resilience have been a common core in most of her works.
ACHF Arts Education
Participants from across Minnesota will grow in knowledge and appreciation of craft through impactful learning opportunities. North House will track registrations in coursework, views of digital programs, and local outreach efforts. Student surveys are issued at the conclusion of classes to capture feedback, gauge impact, and shape future programming.
Basket Week students and program participants connected with diverse basketry traditions, learning from experienced artisan instructors. North House tracked class enrollment (52), webinar participation (66), program participation (56), and anecdotal feedback through surveys. 100% of survey responders said the overall quality of their course met or exceeded their expectations.