Operating Support
ACHF Arts Access
Serve as a resource for Minnesotans to use history as a lens through which to discuss issues. Perform as a fiscally robust business that attracts residents and visitors to downtown St Paul. Add to the cultural vitality of the region and provide jobs to artists here. Preserve Minnesota history in artistic form. Outcomes include staging an annual season of five plays; serving 43,000 Minnesotans; ending the year in the black; and successfully completing the turnaround plan and ending long-term debt. The History Theatre evaluated the success of this outcome by 1) monitoring attendance at each of the five plays and Afterthoughts discussion series; 2) noting critical reviews by local media. This season was well reviewed overall; of particular note were stellar reviews for Courting Harry, by national playwright Lee Blessing and directed by Joel Sass. This play about Minnesota-born and lifelong friends, Supreme Court Justices Harry Blackmun and Warren Burger, played during the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. 3) financial analysis and ongoing progress toward fiscal benchmarks. 4) History Theatre assessed the need to cautiously increase pay for artists from an extremely modest baseline. This investment is paying off in continued artistic improvement. 2: Expose learners of all ages to the arts and to a deeper understanding of history. Commission plays from a wide range of Minnesotan's experiences. Update ADA access plan. Outcomes include providing discounted matinee and educational programming for 8,000 Minnesotans; formally reviewing ADA plan; and commissioning at least one new work annually. All of History Theatre's productions are evaluated by attendance tallies; ticket sales; critical reviews by artists and media, and audience surveys. Commissioned plays are developed by the state's finest playwrights through a 1-2 year development process in which plays are reviewed and assessed as successful if they rise to the level of a main stage production.
The Minnesota State Arts Board grant year was one of the most successful in the Theatre's history. Accomplishments that relate to the outcomes identified in our grant application included: 1) Staging a highly successful, five-play season that garnered outstanding critical reviews. 2) Conducting over 24 Afterthoughts, a popular public discussion forum that engages audiences with experts and cast members from each show regarding the topics and history presented through the plays. 3) Ending the year with a surplus and increased net assets. 4) Bringing over 40,000 people into downtown St Paul to see quality professional theater. 5) Employing more than 150 Minnesota artists and designers. 2: History Theatre achieved this outcome by making great strides in deepening and expanding its education and outreach programs. All of our plays are informative about history, and Afterthoughts discussions expand learning. History Theatre introduced adult learning classes that built on the themes of the shows, continued its mission by commissioning five new plays about people and historical events based in Minnesota and the region, and formed an accessibility committee to review History Theatre's ADA plan. History Theatre continued to work with senior groups, underserved schools, and other organizations to provide discounted or free tickets to over 8,000 Minnesotans. Of particular note is a special partnership with the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Fund to attract audiences to Nellie.
Other
local or private