Operating Support
ACHF Arts Access
Continuing to contribute to the cultural vitality of Minnesota by giving audiences and artists alike opportunities to engage in challenging, exceptional contemporary art programs. Outcomes include: providing four group exhibitions, offering an international call for artists, continued dialog with media, and launch of a curated kickstarter page to help draw attention to projects by additional artists. The Soap Factory evaluates exhibitions and programs with assessment forms for artists, curators and staff, combined with attendance figures, online surveys, response from comment cards and e-mails, and anecdotal evidence. As past participants in the Warhol Initiative, we have taken part in regular peer learning sessions with Midway Contemporary Arts, Intermedia Arts, SooVAC and Franklin Art Works. We plan to continue all of these forms of assessment in 2013. We implemented the evaluation strategies we listed in our fiscal year 2013 Operating Support application. In 2012, we held a series of charrettes with neighborhood and artistic community members to help inform the building development and program planning processes. The data collected through the marketing internship has been used to help develop strategies and program, as well as keep board members and key stakeholders connected and engaged. Curators, staff and the organization's executive director are all evaluated at least annually. The volunteer experience is assessed through survey and feedback. Organizational goals are clearly identified in a strategic long-range plan and benchmarks are assessed annually. 2: Continuing to build accessibility so that visitors of all abilities are welcomed to The Soap Factory. See general evaluation plan above.
In 2012, The Soap Factory successfully achieved our goals related to artistic excellence and leadership. Our vision is of a true factory for art; not a sterile, passive gallery but a vibrant active place for creative experiment and innovation, unlocking the artistic potential of artists, volunteers and audiences. In 2012, we presented two projects produced in residence: Andy Ducett's Why We Do This, and Amber Ginsberg and Joe Madrigal's FLO. In addition, our annual submission show, Hedge Magic, featured the works of seven artists, including two from Minnesota, and the volunteer biennial, Known Unknowns, featured the work of thirty-four Minnesota artists. The Soap Factory continued its collaboration with Northern Lights to present the work of five new media artists in Artists on the Verge 3. There were several smaller programs that co-existed with the large-scale exhibitions. We continued to work with Alison Morse to present Talking Image Connection, featuring new writers and performers spoken word responses to the exhibitions in the space, and for its fourth year, Sergio Vucci and Andy Sturdevant presented Common Room, a series of psycho-geographical tours of the Twin Cities centered on The Soap Factory. 2: The Soap Factory was successful in raising funds from a variety of sources to make both first and basement floors of the building fully accessible and up-to-code, thus opening the 15,000 square foot basement space as potential site for year-round artistic programming. Coupled with this, The Soap Factory received its Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Minneapolis and a Rental Hall License, paving the way for an estimated $35K in new special event rental revenue to support artistic programs, and restoring The Soap Factory's traditional strength in live music and performance work.
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