Operating Support

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$28,637
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Mizna
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2018
End Date
June 2019
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Hennepin
Ramsey
Stearns
Hennepin
Ramsey
Stearns
Project Overview

Operating Support

Project Details

Mizna is a forum for Arab film, literature, and art. Based in the Twin Cities, Mizna promotes contemporary expressions of Arab American culture. We publish the literary journal Mizna: Prose, Poetry and Art Exploring Arab America, produce the Twin Cities Arab Film Festival, and offer varied other readings, performances, art projects, and community events involving an exceptionally talented and diverse range of Arab and Arab American artists. Mizna's vision is to have local, regional, and national presence, recognition and influence, achieved through the creation, promotion, presentation and sharing of vital Arab American literature, visual and performing arts, film, and media.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Uri Camarena: Business consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Board chair, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Officer at-large, Minnesota State Arts Board; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Secretary/Treasurer, 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. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Philip McKenzie, Oboe and English horn player; adjunct oboe faculty, NDSU; Mary McReynolds-Pellinen: Executive director, Lyric Center for the Arts; coordinator, First Stage Gallery; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund.; Christina Widdess: Arts organization consultant; former managing director, Penumbra Theatre. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Amy Browender: Associate development officer, AmeriCorps; John Connelly: Independent consultant to nonprofits, photographer; vice chair, Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission; Paul Dice: President, International Friendship Through the Performing Arts; Deborah Johnson: Senior director of exhibits and education, Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota; Laura Kinkead: Leadership development consultant, The Collabrium; Gregory Peterson: Treasurer, River Arts Alliance (Winona); retired from Winona State University office of financial aid; Anne Jin Soo Preston: Arts and cultural nonprofit organization consultant; former Springboard for the Arts board member; Jonathan Schill: Program development team, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation; Cassandra Utt: Actor, singer, artistic data analysis; Sachidanandhan Venkatakrishnan, Executive board member, Minnesota Tamil Sagnam; IT project manager

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2017 Regular Session, chapter 91, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$28,637
Other Funds Leveraged
$180,906
Direct expenses
$180,906
Administration costs
$28,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.4
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Our Arab American audience will find increased representation in writing, film, and other art of their diverse experiences. Through anonymous surveys available on-site at two journal release events, throughout one film festival, and at 3-5 other events. Online surveys will also be an option when appropriate and feasible. 2: Other Minnesotans in the general public will report more awareness through writing, film, and other art of the contemporary Arab American experience. Through anonymous surveys available on-site at two journal release events, throughout one film festival, and at 3-5 other events. Online surveys will also be an option when appropriate and feasible.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Through our impactful programs, more Arab and SWANA audiences engaged with work that reflects facets of their lived experiences. Analyzing data from online and paper surveys, counting numbers of audience members and subscribers, and connecting in person and through social media with people who engage with our work. 2: Diverse Minnesotan audiences encountered Arab American creative expression through an ambitious year of our programming. Analyzing data from online and paper surveys, counting numbers of audience members and subscribers, and connecting in person and through social media with people who engage with our work.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved proposed outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Rabih Nahas, Nahid Khan, Niny Salem, Jna Shelomith, Abir Abukhadra, Ziad Amra, Dipankar Mukherjee, Rasha Sharif Ahmed
Project Manager
First Name
Lana
Last Name
Barkawi
Organization Name
Mizna
Street Address
2446 University Ave W Ste 115
City
St Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55114
Phone
(612) 788-6920
Email
lana@mizna.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency