Operating Support
Operating Support
The Soap Factory is a laboratory for experimentation, risk-taking, cultural entrepreneurship, and creative thinking. Founded by Twin Cities artists, the organization developed out of specific needs: to build communities through exhibition opportunities; to create networks of support over a wide range of artistic disciplines; to cultivate new audiences for diverse artistic practices; and to make the artists of Minnesota better known regionally, nationally, and internationally.
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.
Pearl Bergad: Executive director, Chinese Heritage Foundation; Paul Dice: President, International Friendship Through the Performing Arts; Thomas Dodge: Photographer; former executive director of the Fairmont Opera House; Sonja Jacobsen: Retired office manager, Jacobsen Metal Fabrication; vocal and instrumental music teacher; board member, Mankato Symphony; Tammy Mattonen: CPA and nonprofit financial consultant; Jill Moore: Executive Director of Great River Arts; Sara Olsen: Musician, composer, teacher, playwright, and visual artist; Cassandra Utt: Actor, singer, artistic data analysis; Kristen Wesloh: Director of institutional giving, Minnesota Public Radio; 26 years nonprofit management experience
ACHF Arts Access
Engage fifteen metro and out-state artists to re-imagine a public space in their community, activate it to engage people differently, and convene to talk. Artists will document public engagement with the space, including their motivations and observations and will share their work, the impact, issues raised. 2: Exhibit, critique and network with twenty Minnesota artists returning from our International Residency Program 2017. Twenty Minnesota artists will return from four different residency programs to exhibit, talk, and critique their experiences, explore implications for Minnesota, Minnesota artists and our arts communities.
We engaged ten Minnesota artists in our Here and There program in Rochester, Brainerd, and various exurban areas. Openings were held for each of five programs: Trestle Systems, Emotional Platings, Collectively We Support Your Autonomy, F**k your Facade, and Poetry of Resistance. Over 100 participants at each event were exposed to unique arts experiences. 2: Artist talks were held with the four Minnesota artists participating in the exchange with Kultivera in Sweden. In partnership with American Swedish Institute, Soap presented artist talks drawing 20-30 people per talk. Our artists discussed their experience abroad, status of their work/project, how it influenced their thinking, and next steps.
Other, local or private