The St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC) conservation partners are focused on removing Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI) in the estuary and eventually delisting the SLRAOC. Cooperative efforts between multiple resource agencies and regional stakeholders have identified a host of restoration objectives, developed project support activities, and partially secured funding that includes a state commitment through the Minnesota Clean Water Fund.
Kiss Me Kate will be produced and performed at the Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center in July 2011 using all-amateur, local talent onstage, behind the scenes, organizationally, and in the orchestra pit.
Visual Arts Minnesota will host a 40x40’ space at the Women’s Showcase on October 1, 2011, featuring 25 women artists within a staged arrangement, curated by interior designer, Katie Ballantine. There will be 2 preliminary meetings for the artists to lear
Teen members of the Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji area will create 6 painted and batiked screens and 6 dyed screens for the teen center stage and participate in 12 weeks of theater arts classes.
Produce plays based on essays from “I Am an Emotional Being” by Eve Ensler to be written by female students ages 11-18 and performed onstage and tour schools and Boys and Girls Clubs.
To increase access to arts and cultural heritage programming at the Todd County Fair by enhancing a stage, improving the fine arts display area, hosting an array of demonstrations, and featuring an Irish band and theater group.
Funding to produce and stage 16 site-specific performances of Shakespeare’s comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor adapted as an operetta. The project will take place in summer 2011.
Funding to stage and perform the musical Oliver! as their sixth annual summer community theater production. Performances will take place at Stillwater Area High School in July 2011.
Funding to produce and stage Chickens on the Freeway, Film at 11, an original two-act musical inspired by Betty Wolden, the first local female television news reporter. Performances will take place at Minneapolis Theater Garage in November 2011.
Funding to produce and stage Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well. Performances will take place in May 2011 at Walker Community Church in Minneapolis.
MNHS continues actively preserving and making accessible newspapers published in the state. In FY16, MNHS concentrated efforts on the backlog of hardcopy newspapers, piloting an approach to microfilming and digitizing issues in mass quantity to reduce the physical storage burden and increase access for researchers and local historical societies. MNHS also began testing in-house digitization of current newspapers, securing equipment and developing processes and staff expertise to support this activity. Online access continues to be offered through the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub.
To increase interest in and access to programming on the performance arts stage by purchasing a sun shade for audiences. The shade will provide relief from the scorching summer sun so that participants and spectators can enjoy the historical and cultural programming.
To offer history programming at the Kittson County Fair. A local retired doctor will perform a narration on the different machines used to plant and harvest crops, in addition to the stages of farming during pioneer days. The fair will also host a lumberjack presentation and a historical farm safety exhibit.
To continue increasing access to arts and cultural heritage activities held in the Lake County Fair's arts building by purchasing a sound system and enhanced lighting for the stage.
To provide an environmentally educational performance to fairgoers. The Martin County Fair will welcome the band “Vocal Trash” to their stage. Vocal Trash is a band that performs using instruments constructed of recycled materials and plays songs emphasizing the importance of recycling, reusing, and upcycling through song and dance.
To add and enhance arts programming in Martin County. Funds will be used to hire art instructors to lead hands-on pottery, painting, and weaving workshops. Supplies will be provided for child and adult participants. Funds will also be used to enhance stage lighting.
Provide an increase in the maintenance and operation of a system of Forest Recreation Areas across the State. The additional funding will be spread to the highest use facilities to provide better customer service and experiences.
To provide access to arts and heritage education to fairgoers. The Aitkin County Agricultural Society enhanced their portable stage by adding additional equipment and a sound system. The fair was able to welcome three artistic performers, including a bluegrass band, a clown, and a caricature artist and purchase interactive items that are used in the new agricultural education center.
As preparation to additional historic preservation work on the Odeon Theatre, listed in the national Register of Historic Places, a qualified historical architect was hired to inspect and evaluate the building. Issues of safety/building codes, accessibility concerns, weather-tightness and future functional improvements were addressed. The final report included a mechanical/electrical evaluation of the building and its proposed future addition. Improvements will include accessible restrooms, a second accessible exit, expanded storage space and the repair of the stage floor.
