Emergency Working Artist Project Grant FY21
Emergency Working Artist Project Grant FY21
"The Seventh Arrow". These songs relate to the current turbulent times, touching on numerous topical angles: emotions we deal with, healing, togetherness, anticipation, and making positive adaptations for survival.
Tara Makinen: former-Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, musician; Tammy Mattonen: Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, visual artist, co-founder of Crescendo Youth Orchestra; Kathy Neff: musician, Director, Fine Arts Academy at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; Ron Piercy: jeweler, gallery owner; Emily Swanson: arts administrator at Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community; Kris Nelson: artist, teacher; Roxann Berglund: musician; Bill Payne: Professor of Theater at the University of Minnesota-Duluth
Tara Makinen: former-Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, musician; Kris Nelson: artist, teacher; Classie Dudley: ARAC Equity Fellow; Christine Marcotte: writer
ACHF Arts Access
The $2000 would be used to pay for the production of the musical work called "The Seventh Arrow". Production refers to studio time, engineering, recording, editing, and mixing of all music tracks needed to best honor the artistic vision of this project. The ultimate production time will certainly exceed 40 hours. 40 hours at $50/hour will use up the amount of this grant, but, from past experience would get me within sight of the goal of a completed work. The remaining production balance would come out of pocket. $2000 would give me the boost needed to produce a work which I feel is quite timely and needed in today's world. Barring unforeseen circumstances such as health issues, long term social lockdown, food shortages, or prolonged electrical outages, I am as driven to complete this work as I have been in the past in completing nine previous original albums. In fact, this may be the timeliest album of them all. Al and I have worked together in recent years on three very successful projects, we have a great rapport, and we have the contributing musicians all lined up. I have additional funds reserved in case project costs exceed expectations. From past experience, barring the aforementioned unforeseen circumstances, I am confident "The Seventh Arrow" project will come to fruition. I am sure ARAC's confidence comes in part from each artist's confidence, and that evidence I have provided. Beyond that, ARAC's confidence in my execution is not for me to speak of. I can only say that I hope I have provided that confidence.My audiences have regularly informed me of how they feel about my recordings in the past, and that feedback has been remarkably positive. This feedback is what has kept me going during the difficult times my decades of recording and performing. However, the first assessment will come from myself and the producer, Al Oikari; if the work excites and inspires us, as we listen form the standpoint of a person dealing with today's issues, that will be the first evidence of success in being true to the artistic vision. The second assessment would be after the fact, when I hear from audiences how the music and its message has affected them. If it has helped them to make sense of the current world situation, and has increased their inspiration for togetherness, and if it has enhanced their feeling of hope and healing, then i will truly know that it has been successful.
The artistic goals of Seventh Arrow were achieved first with dialogue between myself and the other performers. Relating stories to them about how each song was inspired, as well as its intent, was key to drawing out needed emotions in performances, whether vocally, or by instrument. Performers generally rehearsed their parts at home, due to Covid, then would perform them when the next recording session could be scheduled. It was an inspiring process, the most challenging part being to find session time between myriad Covid and health caused complications. This pace felt very right for the times we were living through. The artistic goals have been achieved quite well. Though we do not yet have final mixes, this is precisely because we are not compromising the artistic goals. Current mixes are close enough to final to reveal that artistic goals have met and exceeded hopes and expectations.
Other,local or private