Operating Support

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$51,984
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Great River Shakespeare Festival
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2022
End Date
June 2023
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Blue Earth
Brown
Carlton
Carver
Chisago
Clay
Crow Wing
Dakota
Faribault
Fillmore
Freeborn
Goodhue
Hennepin
Houston
Isanti
Lake
Martin
Mille Lacs
Nicollet
Olmsted
Ramsey
Redwood
Rice
Scott
Sherburne
Stearns
Steele
Stevens
St. Louis
Wabasha
Waseca
Washington
Winona
Wright
Anoka
Blue Earth
Brown
Carlton
Carver
Chisago
Clay
Crow Wing
Dakota
Faribault
Fillmore
Freeborn
Goodhue
Hennepin
Houston
Isanti
Lake
Martin
Mille Lacs
Nicollet
Olmsted
Ramsey
Redwood
Rice
Scott
Sherburne
Stearns
Steele
Stevens
St. Louis
Wabasha
Waseca
Washington
Winona
Wright
Project Overview

Operating Support

Project Details

The mission of the Great River Shakespeare Festival is to enrich people's lives by creating dynamic, clearly understood productions of Shakespeare and other playwrights who celebrate the spoken word.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Uri Camarena: business consultant; Michael Charron: arts educator and an arts and civic leader; Richard Cohen: attorney in private practice and a former state legislator; Emily Galusha: arts and civic leader, former arts administrator; Anthony Gardner: vice president, marketing and communications at CentraCare; Ken Martin, political strategist and campaign manager; Philip McKenzie: team lead with Denver Air, adjunct college faculty; Nichole Melton-Mitchell: healthcare administrator; Dobson West: retired attorney; Christina Widdess: nonprofit consultant; former arts administrator; Christina Woods: executive director, Duluth Art Institute

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Uri Camarena: business consultant; Michael Charron: arts educator and an arts and civic leader; Richard Cohen: attorney in private practice and a former state legislator; Emily Galusha: arts and civic leader, former arts administrator; Anthony Gardner: vice president, marketing and communications at CentraCare; Ken Martin, political strategist and campaign manager; Philip McKenzie: team lead with Denver Air, adjunct college faculty; Nichole Melton-Mitchell: healthcare administrator; Dobson West: retired attorney; Christina Widdess: nonprofit consultant; former arts administrator; Christina Woods: executive director, Duluth Art Institute

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
Yes
Conflict of Interest Contact

Executive director Sue Gens (651) 539-2650

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2021, First Special Session, chapter 1, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$51,984
Other Funds Leveraged
$1,008,545
Direct expenses
$1,008,545
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
1
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Generate community building dialogue around the art of theater while modeling inclusivity and diversity to our community. Progress will be measured by the number participating in activities, media stories reflecting our themes but not necessarily our art, and by tracking the diversity and equity of the company members. 2: Successfully mount an indoor season that attracts at least 8000 as we emerge from the pandemic. Attendance and staffing levels will be measured (especially first-time attendees) as well as audience and artist response to the quality of the work.

Measurable Outcome(s)

GRSF engaged a company of 101 artists for its 2022 season, 28% of whom were people of color. One production was cancelled due to inclusivity concerns. GRSF collected demographic information on company members. Inclusivity efforts were monitored by a paid mental health coordinator who worked one on one and in group settings. They reported success or failure to management. 2: The indoor season was mounted with three rotating productions. Attendance was 5401, well behind the stated goal. Attendance is monitored using PatronManager software. It recorded 1139 tickets distributed to 492 first-time buyers (representing 21% of total attendance).

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members
Mary Alice Anderson, Marcia Aubineau, Roderick Baker, Kris Blanchard, Cherisa Broadwater, Michael Charron, Joyati Debnath, Gary Diomandes, Candace Gordon, Hayley Fast Hornberg, Alan Leonhardt, Jonathan Locust Jr, Beth Forkner Moe, Paul Mundt, Amaria O'Leary, Kelley Olson, Gaby Peterson, Mary Polus, Jim Stoa
Project Manager
First Name
Aaron
Last Name
Young
Organization Name
Great River Shakespeare Festival
Street Address
121 E 3rd St
City
Winona
State
MN
Zip Code
55987
Phone
(507) 474-7900
Email
aarony@grsf.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