Operating Support Grant

We use evaluations and assessment information to improve services and supports, build and deepen engagement, adjust programming, or develop new programs or activities. We've responded to issues small and large based on this input and feedback, from small cabin improvements to substantive program changes, such as extending BIPOC artist residencies to accommodate more time for local community interactions and introducing new residencies for parent artists. Feedback informs and guides our work towards becoming an anti-racist organization, including equitable access to opportunities, removing economic barriers through subsidized residencies, and building relationships that help us engage underserved BIPOC artists and parent artists. We are currently working to deepen our connections with area tribal organizations as well. Monthly financial monitoring by the board and staff helps us assess economic performance, including progress on income targets and fundraising strategies. We survey participants in our programs and activities to determine how the artists' experience at the Center compared to their initial expectations, if and to what extent their residency helped them reach their goals, how the environment at the Center contributed to their creative process, how their time at the Center impacted their career/artistic development, the value of scheduled vs. unscheduled time, and more. We also discuss Center programs and activities with the artists and instructors, throughout the process and at the end of a given residency/activity, in terms of overall success, operational effectiveness, ideas for improvement, and potential for expanded engagement. Our staff tracks demographic and artistic discipline information about the artists in residence. Evaluative discussions with our Ely community partners are helping us deepen and expand local connections. We invite feedback from participants and audiences via email and social media posts, which we relay to our Board along with select survey feedback. Our local contracted staff helps us to monitor our local impact by sharing comments and discussions they have with residents in and around Ely. This input helps us to gauge the extent to which local residents are aware of Tofte Lake Center and its work and opportunities, which we take into consideration when developing PR and marketing strategies (e.g. local advertising and where we post information about our activities on websites and calendars). Our current emphasis on developing and growing the Center's network with local businesses and organizations is advancing at a strong pace. We are connecting visiting artists in residence with local residents and area artists through readings, performances, workshops, and other events that are either free or affordable and open to all, and we are collaborating with local schools, camps, and others to engage and serve a broad public. With our recently increased staff capacity, we intend to build on, deepen, and continue expanding these community connections in service to shared goals and further public benefit. From our inception, Tofte Lake Center has offered residency opportunities for artists working in any discipline and at any stage in their career to take time in retreat surrounded by nature, providing specific support and resources to achieve the artists' goals. After completing new buildings five years ago to serve the needs of artists working in different disciplines, we turned our focus to addressing racial disparities in artist engagement for the kinds of residency and retreat opportunities we provide. Tofte Lake Center forged new connections and held deep discussions with BIPOC artists to strategically overcome perceptual and economic access barriers to our programs over several years, including in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. BIPOC artists have consistently told us how critical the retreat and residency experience is to their lives and practice, that it helps them to pause, ref