Minnesota Festival Support
ACHF Cultural Heritage
Increase the number of Minnesota traditional/folk artists participating in the Festival of Nations from 200 to 300 and increase the ethnic groups participating from 100 to 115. The International Institute of Minnesota tracks the number of artists and ethnic groups who participate in the festival each year. 2: Increase Festival of Nations audience numbers from 40,000 to 50,000. The International Institute of Minnesota tracks ticket sales and attendance for the festival each year.
The number of Minnesota artists performing at the 2013 Festival of Nations increased from 200 to just over 300. The artists hired for the festival came from many parts of Minnesota including Northfield (Laura MacKenzie), Bemidji (Janet Najarian), Saint Cloud (Jamie Tituana), Hibbing (Jacques La Christian), Farmington (Pam Tucker) and the Twin Cities metro area. Larger ensembles that include eight or more musicians from Minnesota including Salsa del Soul, Chris Kalogerson Orchestra and Ethnic Dance Theatre were booked this year increasing the number of artists performing. An additional performance area was added in the bazaar area of the festival allowing more Minnesota artists to perform. 2: Overall, ticket sales significantly increased in 2013 with student ticket sales seeing the largest increase. Students from many parts of Minnesota representing a diversity from rural to urban attended. The Festival of Nations invites all Minnesota schools to attend though direct mailing, promotion via Minnesota Education Association and other teacher gatherings. Ticket sales are measured by tracking of sales both through the RiverCentre/Xcel box office and through student sales at the International Institute of Minnesota as well as through participant tickets. Increased marketing/advertising including on social media and a reach to a younger demographic helped make this happen. The event is open to all.
Other, local or private