Rural and Community Art Project Grants

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$3,247

Fund Source

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Recipient

Great River Strings Ensemble

Recipient Type

Non-Profit Business/Entity

Status

Completed

Start Date

February 2015

End Date

June 2015

Activity Type

Grants/Contracts

Counties Affected

Aitkin

Crow Wing

Mille Lacs

Project Overview

Rural and Community Art Project Grants

Project Details

Great River String Ensemble Spring 2015 Concerts. The Great River String Ensemble will present 2 concerts:April 18, 2015 at the Crosby High School at 7:00 PM, April 19, 2015 at the Aitkin High School at 2:00 PM.

Competitive Grant Making Body

Board Members and Qualifications

Erling Ellison: jewelry designer and creator, speech coach and judge, director of Garrison Art Fair; Ken Bloom: Director of Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota-Duluth; Janeen Carey: vocalist, retired Hibbing Community College librarian and information media specialist; Kate Fitzgerald: Program Director North Shore Music Association, writer; Peter Pestalozzi: furniture maker, wood worker; David Beard: Assistant Professor University of Minnesota-Duluth writing studies; Mark King: actor, theater reviewer, musician; Adam Guggemos: graphic designer, art events promoter; Michelle Ronning: jewelry designer and maker; John Gregor: photographer, art educator, community art advocate; Ann Russ: music performer, community song leader, choir director, workshop leader, past director and founder of North Shore Music Association; Tara Makinen: Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, musician; Dana Mattice: Development and Communications Director of The Art Institute Duluth, Shannon Sweeney: stage manager for Duluth Playhouse and former production manager for the Minnesota Ballet; Moira Villiard: visual artist and student of arts and communication at University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Erling Ellison: jewelry designer and creator, speech coach and judge, director of Garrison Art Fair; Ken Bloom: Director of Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota-Duluth; Janeen Carey: vocalist, retired Hibbing Community College librarian and information media specialist; Peter Pestalozzi: furniture maker, wood worker; Mark King: actor, theater reviewer, musician; Adam Guggemos: graphic designer, art events promoter; Michelle Ronning: jewelry designer and maker; John Gregor: photographer, art educator, community art advocate; Ann Russ: music performer, community song leader, choir director, workshop leader, past director and founder of North Shore Music Association; Tara Makinen: Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, musician; Dana Mattice: Development and Communications Director of The Art Institute Duluth; Moira Villiard: visual artist and student of arts and communication at University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Project Details: 2015 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision

Laws of Minnesota 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 3

Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access ACHF Arts Education ACHF Cultural Heritage

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$3,247

Other Funds Leveraged

$843

Direct expenses

$4,090

Administration costs

$3,247

Number of full time equivalents funded

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The Goal of the Great River String Ensemble is to present its Spring Concerts on April 18, 2015 at the Crosby, High School at 7:00 PM and April 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Aitkin High School. Beginning on February 17, 2015 the players of both groups will be encouraged to attend 9 practice sessions. These sessions will concentrate on: 1. Listening skills (to themselves and others). 2. Bowing Techniques. 3. Style of the composers. 4. Musical signatures / notations etc. 5. Rhythm patterns. We will measure the outcomes by: 1. Attendance. 2. Gate receipts. 3. Donations. 4. Written survey of the concert audiences. 5. Written survey of the Great River String Ensemble and Ripple River Strings players.

Measurable Outcome(s)

There was an increase in attendance, ticket sales and donations. The annual silent auction created more interest as well as giving. There were many comments to the directors and the Great River Strings Board Members present as to the improvement in techniques, sound and quality of the performances.

Description of Funds

Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Recipient Board Members

Paul Tesdahl, Ruth Lofgren, Luanne Beyreuther, Jean-Paul Zenke, Mary Ann Holder, David Lang, Rachel Johnson

Project Manager

Lynn

Foote

Great River Strings Ensemble

23569 435th Ave

Aitkin

56431