Project Grant

(1) building community relationships, (2) showcasing the artistic diversity and integrity of local and regional musical talent, and (3) a good reputation in providing a quality festival experience.; The key outcomes of the Common Roots Festival includes (1) building community relationships, (2) showcasing the artistic diversity and integrity of local and regional musical talent, and (3) a good reputation in providing a quality festival experience. (1)A stronger relationship between local venues, musicians, and audience members is an outcome that has followed previous Common Roots Festivals, but is still something that needs to continue to grow. With new ownership of venues, new festivals to compete with, and other economic influencers that can impact the success of this type of arts event, the amount of trust between the core team and venues is extremely important. The musicians also need to trust that the core team and venues have their best interest in mind regarding booking, promotion and payment. The audience, then, will feel the positivity of this philosophy over time. (2)Audience members will be impressed with the diversity and artistic integrity of local and regional musical talent. Already, after 2 successful years, there has been a shift in how audiences speak of St. Cloud culture, especially music. By developing this dialog within the festival messaging, the audience will then be able to share their experiences with individual musicians and bands, in the months following the event. (3)An outcome that will show after the festival, yet will provide an important measurable to the success of the festival would be seeing increased year-round respectability and earning potential for artists performing at the festival. Through the proper marketing, video sharing, social media, and web presence, the musicians will get additional visibility through the cross-promotion of the event. This, combined with the live performance experience, with then lead to long-term exposure of the artists. Ongoing documentation of venue and musician communication; social media analytics; post-event surveys ; Outcome 1: A stronger relationship between local venues, musicians, and audience members as a result of a well run event. Evaluation Methods: Ongoing documentation of venue and musician communication; social media analytics; post-event surveys What to watch for: 1. Expressed desire for participation from venues not yet associated with the event 2. Word-of-mouth promotion of the event from venues and musicians regardless of whether or not they had been expressly asked to provide that promotion 3. Ongoing support through small events in preparation for the big event Outcome 2: Audience members will be impressed with the diversity and artistic integrity of local and regional musical talent. Evaluation methods: Onsite surveying methods; digital surveys through payment tools (Square) and insta-survey mechanisms(jotform); Focus groups. Some of this feedback can be provided through audience surveys similar to those presented in past years. Audience members can especially demonstrate this achievement through a stated appreciating of discovering and liking performers of whom they were previously unaware. Outcome 3: Increased year-round respectability and earning potential for artists performing at the festival. Evaluation methods: Track shows of performers and venues weeks after the event; musician focused surveys; social media analytics up to 1 month after the event; audience surveys After the festival, performers could report a noticeable increase in attendance of their shows, an increase in the number of likes and activity on their social media accounts, an increase in the number of booked gigs, or an increase in pay for the gigs they perform. Information from the above evaluations, as well as comments from the surveys, can go towards gauging the attitudes audience members came into the festival with and left with. Continued or increased media atte