Project Grant

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$6,554
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Avon Hills Folk School
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
June 2022
End Date
July 2022
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Stearns
Stearns
Project Overview

Project Grant

Project Details

Youth Hand Camp at the Avon Hills Folk School: offering children ages 6-12 hands-on artistic experiences within the natural environment.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Buddy King: CMAB Board Char, St Cloud Playwright, percussionist, teaching artist, engaged in numerous youth arts initiatives in the community; Sean Donahue: CMAB Board Tresurer, Performing arts technician; Professional light and sound designer, operator and trainer; Musician with musical instrument, equipment retail experience; Large event and project manager; Denise Todd: CMAB Board Member, Dance Valdosta State University; U.S. Air Force Veteran, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst; undergraduate at St. Cloud State University pursuing a Major in Community Health; Jo McMullen-Boyer: CMAB Board Member, Station Manage of KVSC Radio, Grant writer, Music Concert Projucer, Community Events Organizer; Tanya Piatz-Sandberg: CMAB Board Member, Visual Merchandiser with 3D display experience, fashion, event execution, and corporate shop concepts; 2D visual artist specializing in illustration and photography Spencer Madsen: CMAB Board Member, Writer; educator; theatrical performer; aspiring filmmaker and visual artist; B.A. in English Education; M.A. in American Literature; orchardist at Clear Lake Cider; Gretchen Boulka: CMAB Board Member, Director of Performing Arts at Paramount Center for the Arts, arts administrator with background in development, special events, program management, marketing and communications; musician, member of the Association for Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) and on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Presenters Network;

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Buddy King: CMAB Board Char, St Cloud Playwright, percussionist, teaching artist, engaged in numerous youth arts initiatives in the community; Sean Donahue: CMAB Board Tresurer, Performing arts technician; Professional light and sound designer, operator and trainer; Musician with musical instrument, equipment retail experience; Large event and project manager; Denise Todd: CMAB Board Member, Dance Valdosta State University; U.S. Air Force Veteran, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst; undergraduate at St. Cloud State University pursuing a Major in Community Health; Jo McMullen-Boyer: CMAB Board Member, Station Manage of KVSC Radio, Grant writer, Music Concert Projucer, Community Events Organizer; Tanya Piatz-Sandberg: CMAB Board Member, Visual Merchandiser with 3D display experience, fashion, event execution, and corporate shop concepts; 2D visual artist specializing in illustration and photography Spencer Madsen: CMAB Board Member, Writer; educator; theatrical performer; aspiring filmmaker and visual artist; B.A. in English Education; M.A. in American Literature; orchardist at Clear Lake Cider; Gretchen Boulka: CMAB Board Member, Director of Performing Arts at Paramount Center for the Arts, arts administrator with background in development, special events, program management, marketing and communications; musician, member of the Association for Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) and on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Presenters Network;

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2021, First Special Session, chapter 1, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Education

2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$6,554
Other Funds Leveraged
$2,644
Direct expenses
$9,198
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

We seek to introduce children to new artistic experiences within the natural surroundings of the Avon Hills. In doing so we want to measure how this has changed their outlook after having done or seen or experienced something for the first time? Verbal survey of children at the beginning of the day or prior to the day. Verbal survey at the end of the day. FU w/ orgs, adult coordinators, parents and the visiting Artists/Instructors with a written survey. Change in knowledge, attitude, skill, behavior or condition of the students: We anticipate learning about the expectations of the children prior to experiencing the day, and then following up on this same question at the conclusion of the day after they have had these new experiences. In addition: What did they learn that they did not know before? Was there anything they did "For the First Time?" Was there anything they were scared of or unsure about trying? What did they learn today? What would you like to try again? Do again? Learn more about? What would you not want to do again? We want to try to take their "temperature" about these new experiences, before and after. See if any fires were lit? Were there sparks' What did they discover about themselves' Additional aspects of the Evaluation Plan: We will reach out to adult coordinators, reps from the partnering organizations, parents of the children and the visiting Artists/Instructors for their feedback on the day. Additionally we will hold an in person meeting with the partnering organizations to better understand their assessment of the day, as well as preparation and follow-up on the part of the Avon Hills Folk School. How will evaluation results be used to improve future programming: All feedback and responses will be considered. To the degree possible feedback will be applied to improving the experiences of future Hand Camps for Kids for all participants: children, adult coordinators, partnering organizations, parents, and Artists. Access- Provide experiences to youth they may otherwise be unable to access - early! Measure whether or not we were successful at attracting the diverse mix of children we seek as outlined in the narrative of the project by the actual attendance. We dearly hope that through working with these partnering organizations we will be much more successful at addressing areas of access for these children. If we were, why? If not, WHY? How can we do better? Learning- Parents may experience a change in knowledge, attitude, behavior or condition through their children's experiences. We will provide formal surveys to our partnering organizations, their employees, contracted artists and if possible - parents of the children. We also anticipate us doing an informal, verbal survey of the children before they leave for the day. It is our hope that by ensuring that our teaching Artists reflect the children in attendance that we further support the spark of creativity and realization of ability in the arts that will undoubtedly occur for some of these children - hopefully all - because we are ALL Creative, we just need encouragement to believe it. Further, that we help to hold up the belief in these young people that they are creative, artistic and have talent. Community- Artists from multiple backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities (they look like me) provide a fuller experience for the children as they discover, learn and create art within nature. They will learn about different art forms, cultures (sometimes their own, which may be a surprise) as well as learning about each other.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Specific Outcomes: We introduced children to new artistic experiences within the natural surroundings of the Avon Hills. Evaluation Methods: Direct feedback from the youth; Formal observation by staff/instructors; Solicited and un-solicited reaction and feedback from adults associated with the different groups we partnered with

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
Achieved proposed outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Recipient Board Members
Chris Schellinger, Mark Conway, Neil Franz/Treasurer, Jordan Schellinger, board Member, Greg Murray, board Member, Rachel Melis, board Member
Project Manager
First Name
Chris
Last Name
Schellinger
Organization Name
Avon Hills Folk School
Street Address
31556 181st Ave
City
Avon
State
MN
Zip Code
56310
Phone
(320) 492-1444
Email
Chris.schellinger@gmail.com
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
Location

P.O. Box 458
220 4th Ave North 
Foley, MN 56329

Phone
Project Manager: Leslie LeCuyer
320-968-4290x 3 or Toll Free: 866-825-1471