Operating Support
Operating Support
Cantus engages audiences in a meaningful music experience and ensures the future of ensemble singing by mentoring young singers and educators. Cantus was founded on the ideals of collaborative music making. Artists and staff work together to reach new levels of artistic excellence, innovation, and audience engagement. Our vision is to give voice to shared human experiences.
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Member of the Smithsonian National Board. Former chair of the board, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Officer-at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Sean Dowse, Mayor of Red Wing, elected 2016. Former executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Secretary/Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies.; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.
Patricia Andrews: Executive director, Headwaters School of Music and the Arts; Lisa Bergh: Public artist; executive director for the Hutchinson Center for the Arts; Jonathan Carter: Director of IT business relationship management, Harmon, Inc.; former board chair, Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir; Erin Cooper: Operational director, Irish Fair of Minnesota; Don Eitel: Former managing director, Mu Performing Arts; Ann Fee: Executive director, Arts Center of Saint Peter; teaching artist, writer, editor, and instructor; Julie Johnson: Grant writing consultant; former public relations director at Great River Shakespeare Festival; Paula Justich: Program director of arts and cultural management, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota; Sarah Lawrence: Co-general artistic director, Lyric Opera of the North; Jonathan Lewis, Executive director, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra; percussionist; Gretchen Pick, Artistic director, Young Dance. Adjunct faculty, University of Minnesota Department of Dance.
ACHF Arts Access
Minnesotans will gain knowledge of vocal music, greater awareness of social justice issues, and insight into sight and blindness/vision loss. Gather and review results of surveys/e-surveys, document direct feedback from audiences and education/outreach programs and activities participants; record and discuss post-concert Q and A sessions. 2: Cantus will serve Minnesotans through accessible programming that includes outreach to/engagement with specific cultural communities. Collect and analyze attendance and sales results, social media and web visit stats, and post-concert reports/assessments by ensemble; gather and analyze MPR carriage reports; gather residency survey results.
Thousands of Minnesotans attended Discovery of Sight concerts, which included new repertoire and prompted reflection on what it means to truly see. Cantus tracked audience feedback, shared both electronically and in person. The organization also monitors press reviews; the Star Tribune called this series `joyful` and `dreamy.` Finally, Cantus surveyed all education outreach participants. 2: Beyond free community concerts, Cantus collaborated with Sweet Honey in the Rock, StreetSong-MN, and three local high schools to reach distinct audiences. Cantus monitors sales/attendance reports; three of its series exceeded projections. It surveys all education participants. Demand for digital content remains strong; one social media video drew 20K views. Cantus works with MPR to monitor reach.
Other, local or private