Technology/Equipment Grant for Individual Artist

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$602
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Sasha N. Howell
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
May 2015
End Date
August 2015
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
St. Louis
St. Louis
Project Overview
Technology/Equipment Grant for Individual Artist
Project Details
I, as a costume designer for Theatre, fashion shows, and film, am in desperate need of a quality reliable laptop. I need a portable way to create art, show directors all over town my ideas, and to work while on the road. I recently invested in a small drawing tablet and I've quickly realized my current computer situation is not going to cut it for much longer. I am currently working to familiarize myself with the hardware, but I'm also in need of some more software and drawing pens to fully utilize my new tablet. In addition, it would be wise for me to get an external hard drive to be constantly backing up my work.
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
Adam Guggemos: graphic designer, art events promoter; Michelle Ronning: jewelry designer and maker; Moira Villiard: visual artist and student of arts and communication at University of Wisconsin-Superior; John Gregor: photographer, art educator, community art advocate; Tara Makinen: Executive Director of Itasca Orchestra and Strings, musician; Dana Mattice: Development and Communications Director of The Art Institute Duluth; Janeen Carey: vocalist, retired Hibbing Community College librarian and information media specialist.
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2013, Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access ACHF Arts Education

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$602
Other Funds Leveraged
$1,458
Direct expenses
$2,060
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

I have never been very tech-savvy. I have tried to skate by on my paper and pen skills, but it's time to upgrade, update my skills, and move confidently into the digital world we live in today. I am committed to learning how to use new technology and software to bring my art up a notch. I travel back and forth to many theatre teams all over town and this transportable technology will help me get my designs easily accessible. It would help me show actors, directors, and crew what exactly is in my brain. SHOWING people what exactly I'm trying to convey rather than explaining is crucial in my work. Having new equipment would help me in the short term by providing a reliable platform to learn new software that will help me in creating renderings I cannot currently achieve with paint. In the long run, it will help me accomplish my dreams of starting my own business, teaching others in my realm, and inspiring others to utilize resources around THEM as well. I think I will be able to start using the new equipment right away. My first initiative is to start taking online classes to better my drawing tablet skills. I am still adapting to the new format of working with such a tool. Working on a new, fast laptop will help me take these classes during EVERY FREE MOMENT. I can not only start playing around with creating art, but by practicing on show renderings. Every new project I have will offer opportunities to continue this practice. After I have finished the online classes, referencing my book on working in Painter, and practicing. I should be able to execute renderings more quickly, with more ease, and most importantly more professionally. The transition to digital drawings rather than watercolor will be instant. They may not be great at first, but I'm sure I will get the hang of it pretty quickly. If funded, I would be able and willing to commit to digital immediately.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The new technology has already helped me in the following ways: I am able to carry EVERY item I need for my work in a compact bag rather than giant loads of art supplies. The new tools allow me to stay connected and inspired to compile loads of research on the new hard drive. The books I received to learn the software have proven as valuable as the tools to learn new techniques. I am learning the Painter program slowly but surely - and realizing it will change the way I work forever.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Sasha
Last Name
Howell
Organization Name
Sasha N. Howell
State
MN
Phone
(218) 591-9420
Email
sashahowell@hotmail.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


332 West Superior Street, Suite 204
Duluth, MN 55802

Phone
Project Manager: Rebecca Graves
(218) 722-0952
Email the Agency