Operating Support
ACHF Arts Access
1. Hire a part time business manager to do the following tasks currently done by chorale members: press releases, website updates, ticket seller venues, poster design and print, ticket design and print, ticket distribution and collection, newspaper ads, radio ads, email mailing list, USPS mailing list, Facebook upkeep, Northern Voice Calendar, Church bulletin article, program, grant writing, surveys, singer bios, table tents, ordering, and other duties as determined by the board, within three months after receiving funding. This goal will help keep the arts thriving in Minnesota, by freeing the board and chorale members to pursue new promotional activities and focus on music performance. 2. Increase audience by an average of 20% by the end of the 2 year period. This goal addresses the belief that Minnesotans identify with the arts. 3. The chorale will engage in one performance activity each season, outside of its regular concert series, that is targeted to a broader, more diverse audience. This goal addresses the diversity of people participating in the arts. 1. The business manager will keep track of their activities and hours. 2. Audience numbers will be tracked through ticket sales at each performance. 3. Audience diversity will be tracked through survey results. 4. Programs, or other evidence, of promotional activities and the number attending them. 5. The board will conduct a performance evaluation of the staff person semi-annually.
1) We hired a business manager who was able to perform some of the duties listed in the grant but did not have enough time to do all the tasks we were hoping for. Her assistance certainly freed chorale members to concentrate on performance, but did not translate into arranging more promotional events. Generally the goal was met. 2) Audience size increased a little more than our goal of 20%. 3) The chorale performed two outdoor concerts in August 2016 in Cottonwood and Marshall Minnesota which brought our group before a younger and more diverse audience. In December 2016 chorale members performed for a local business's holiday party. In December 2017 the chorale performed with the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra in Marshall, Minnesota which brought our group before an audience which was attending primarily for an instrumental concert. These events exposed the chorale to a broader audience and certainly were rewarding performance experiences for the chorale.
Other, local or private