MNBA-Minnesota Book Awards tpt documentary

Through a designation from the Council of Regional Public Library Systems Administrators, Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund supported the creation of two sets of outreach materials, one each featuring winners from the 26th and 27th Minnesota Book Awards. The outreach materials included a bookmark (40,000 quantity per year), posters (1,000 quantity per year), and reading guides for the 8 winners (1,500 quantity per year). These materials were distributed to all public library regions, bookstores, schools, and through partnering organizations. Funds also supported a collaboration between The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and Twin Cities Public Television for a “Beyond the Book” special documentary. With plans for an ongoing partnership, “Beyond the Book” will feature one winning book from each Minnesota Book Awards season, forming a documentary that looks at the book’s genesis and inspiration from the author’s – and others’ – points of view. The first book chosen for this series was Modern Spirit: The Art of George Morrison, by Kristin Makholm and Jackson Rushing III, winner of the Minnesota category in 2014. The documentary featured saved footage of the artist George Morrison, Makholm’s and Rushing’s work in putting the book together, interviews with family members and friends, and investigated the impact Morrison’s work had on the art world and his native Minnesota Additional events with Minnesota Book Award finalist and winning authors were held (or will be held) in 6 different regional libraries (Arrowhead, Great River, Lake Agassiz, Pioneerland, Plum Creek, Viking), totaling 31 events. Authors/artists featured included: Laura Purdie Salas, Margi Preus, Lorna Landvik, David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka, William Kent Krueger, Jack El-Hai, Kevin Kling, Amanda Degener, Melanie Hoffert, and Mary Lethert Wingerd.