Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

arts alert: Star Tribune Poll Finds 77% of Minnesotans Oppose Using Legacy for Stadium

December 7th, 2011

MCA

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561
staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
www.mncitizensforthearts.org
@MnCitizen
Arts Action Center

November 7, 2011

1. Star Tribune Poll Finds 77% of Minnesotans Oppose Using Legacy for Stadium

2. MCA Annual Meeting November 14

3. Grand Marais Celebrates Legacy Weekend Nov. 17-20

4. Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Says He’d Delete the NEA

5. Nominate Someone Great for a Sally Award: Deadline Nov. 14

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1. Star Tribune Poll Finds 77% of Minnesotans Oppose Using Legacy for Stadium

Yesterday’s Minneapolis Star Tribune held some great news for arts advocates:

“The idea floated recently of using Legacy funds, which are dedicated to projects benefitting the environment, arts and cultural heritage, was shot down by the poll respondents — 77 percent opposed using Legacy funds for a stadium, compared to 21 percent in favor.”

This news comes after a chaotic week in which the momentum to hold a special session to fund the stadium came to a screeching halt when Speaker Kurt Zellers said that the House would prefer to deal with the stadium during the upcoming regular session. Gov. Dayton declared that he would not, therefore, as previously planned, come out with a stadium proposal today after all. It is clear that there is no agreement on how to pay for the stadium, which is why crazy ideas like using Legacy funds are being tossed around. At the moment, using upgraded electronic pulltabs as the main funding source seems to have the most legs, but things remain fluid and could drag on for some time.

The other good news is that you arts advocates have now delivered over 14,500 messages to your elected officials in opposition of using Legacy funds for the stadium. Some of this response has come from our friends at Conservation Minnesota and the Minnesota Envrionmental Partnership, who put out alerts to their members to oppose the move to use Legacy funds because it would set a bad precedent for misuse of the land, water, and parks funds. It’s great to see our coalition from the campaign in 2008 still working together for the good of all.

While the Legacy idea seems to have lost some steam due in part to your overwhelming response, it will not go away entirely until a funding package for the stadium is put together, or until it is clear that the team doesn’t have legislative support to build one at all. We will remain vigilent until this is resolved, as it may come back to life. If you haven’t had a chance to voice your opposition, it’s not too late. You can send letters to the Governor and legislature here:

http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/state/main/?state=MN

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2. MCA Annual Meeting November 14

You are invited to the Annual Meeting of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, with featured speaker MCA Executive Director Sheila Smith. She will be speaking on “Protecting Minnesota’s Arts Legacy,” including work against losing the Arts Legacy Fund to a stadium, and the outlook for the upcoming 2012 session for the arts.

Join us 5:30-6:30 on Monday, November 14, at the Illusion Theater on the 8th floor of the Hennepin Center for the Arts, 528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.

Admission is free for MCA members and $5 for the general public. Please R.S.V.P. to MCA by calling 651-251-0868 or Staff@mncitizensforthearts.org.

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3. Grand Marais Celebrates Legacy Weekend Nov. 17-20

Thriving on the changing climate of the poles and the North Shore will be celebrated and displayed during Cook County’s Legacy Destination Weekend, November 17-20, 2011. Hands-on outdoor events, educational films, and history exhibits are scheduled to highlight the local benefits of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, which voters passed in 2008.

Wildlife biologist Rolf Peterson, filmmaker George Desort, and polar explorer Mark Terry headline this year’s Winterer’s Gathering at North House Folk School. Peterson presents a 50-plus year study of the decreasing levels of wolves and moose on Isle Royale National Park.

Filmmaker Mark Terry explored Canada’s Northwest Passage to research the effects of warmer temperatures for his film project, which shows this weekend. Featured instructor Garrett Conover will lead workshops on reading ice, wilderness travel, and overnight winter camping. Other courses include dog and wolf behaviors and filmmaking.

“North House Folk School is proud to be a Legacy grant recipient and bring new skills and new visitors to Cook County,” said school Executive Director Greg Wright.

During Legacy Weekend, the Cook County Historical Society exhibits the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps at the Lighthouse Keeper’s House Museum, the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery hosts the Northern Photography show, and the Grand Marais Art Colony presents a glass ornament class.

The Grand Marais Art Colony and North House Folk School receive Legacy Funding through the Minnesota State Arts Board. The Minnesota Historical Society awarded Legacy grants to the Cook County Historical Society and the Johnson Heritage Post Gallery.

A self-guided hike at Cascade River State Park, another Legacy grant project location, is also part of Legacy Destination Weekend.

The Legacy Destination Weekends recognizes one community each month to highlight Legacy events. Legacy Weekends is a partnership of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Conservation Minnesota, and Explore Minnesota Tourism. More information: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/legacy/cook-county/index.aspx

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4. Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Says He’d Delete the NEA

We’re still a long way away from the 2012 elections, but it’s notable when one of the leading contenders for the GOP nomination says the following:

“I like Amtrak, but I’m not willing to borrow $1.6 billion a year to subsidize it. I like the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, but I refuse to borrow almost $1 billion a year from China to pay for them.”

These remarks were delivered as part of his speech on fiscal policy at the Americans for Prosperity “Defending The American Dream Summit” in Washington, D.C.

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5. Nominate Someone Great for a Sally Award: Deadline Nov. 14

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is gearing up the selection process for the next round of Sally Awards.The awards recognize extraordinary Minnesota artists who inspire us with their creativity and dedication to their craft.

The 2011 Sally Ordway Irvine Awards will continue this tradition, and you can be a part of it! We invite you to join in the fun by nominating artists to be considered for the 2011 Sally Awards. It’s easy to do. Just think about the artists who have inspired you, your family or your friends, and forward their names to us as nominees for the 2011 Sally Awards. The Awards include the following
five categories:

ARTS ACCESS | VISION | INITIATIVE | COMMITMENT | EDUCATION

Minnesota’s arts scene is so rich and diverse that it’s impossible for us to keep up with the work being created every day in every corner of the state. You probably know about artists who are not yet on our radar screen. Don’t keep their talents a secret! Any arts organization or individual in the state of Minnesota is eligible, as long as they have not already received this award.

Please consider making a nomination, and forward this invitation to your friends and colleagues. The nomination form is available on the Ordway’s website at ordway.org/sallyawards.

THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011.

If you have any questions
regarding the nomination form or the awards, please contact Kate Youngdahl at the Ordway at 651.282.3101.

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RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members. JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all
people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

Arts Alert: Gov. Dayton to Unveil Stadium Proposal on Nov 7: Please Contact Him and Legislators Now

November 2nd, 2011

MCA

November 1, 2011

ACT NOW!

** Governor to Unveil His Stadium Proposal on November 7, 2011**

Ask Governor Dayton and Legislators to Oppose Diversion of Arts Legacy to Vikings Stadium

Over 5000 letters have been delivered to legislators and the governor in opposition to a legislative proposal to divert the Arts Legacy Fund to pay for a Vikings stadium! This proposal would harm arts funding in every corner of the state.

It has been announced that the Governor will be unveiling his stadium proposal on Nov. 7. The Governor, when asked by the press if he will include Legacy funding, has not ruled it out.

So, if you have written to your legislators and not the Govenor, please GO HERE to write to Gov. Dayton too, and if you haven’t written to your legislators yet, you can also do it HERE:

http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/state/main/?state=MN

Take action now, time is running out!

Sheila Smith

MCA Executive Director

BACKGROUND:

On October 21, Rep Kurt Daudt proposed in an MPR interview using Arts Legacy funds to pay for a new Vikings stadium, as legislators were having a hard time coming up with a way to pay for the stadium. Several important legislative leaders were also quoted over the next several days as saying this was a great idea.

Governor Dayton has been a lifelong friend of the arts community in Minnesota. However, although given the opportunity several times by the press to rule it out, he has not done so.

It’s important to know that during the Governor’s campaign, he sat down with us for an interview about arts issues. Here’s what he said last year about the Arts & Culture Legacy Fund:

“This was a constitutional amendment passed by the people of Minnesota. The people of Minnesota voted to raise their own sales tax in order to support these programs and with all due respect to the legislature, this is not the legislature’s money, this is the people’s money. I believe that that dedicated funding should be there. The State Arts Board as well as the Regional Arts Councils are crucial to assuring that the money does go all over the state. That’s the infrastructure that has been established to assure that arts reach every community in Minnesota, it’s done a remarkable job over the last few decades. It should be supported and continued and
frankly, the legislature should keep its hands off of the people’s money.”

We know he’s a friend of the arts. We need to make sure both he and all of the legislators know the damage this proposal would do to the arts across the state.

_______________________________________________

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the
arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts,
or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

Arts Alert: Urge Gov. Dayton Now to Oppose Diverting Arts Legacy Funds to Vikings Stadium

November 2nd, 2011

MCA

October 27, 2011

ACT NOW!

Ask Governor Dayton to Oppose Diversion of Arts Legacy to Vikings Stadium

In the past four days we have delivered over 3500 letters in opposition to a legislative proposal to divert the Arts Legacy Fund to pay for a Vikings stadium! We must vigorously oppose this proposal which would do harm to arts funding in every corner of the state.

Governor Dayton has been a lifelong friend of the arts community in Minnesota. That’s why today’s Star Tribune headline was hard to believe:

“Dayton Eyes Legacy Funds to Pay for Vikings Stadium”

During the Governor’s campaign, he sat down with us for an interview about arts issues. Here’s what he said last year about the Arts & Culture Legacy Fund:

We know he’s a friend of the arts. We need to make sure he knows the damage this proposal would do to the arts across the state.

Go Here Now to send a letter to Governor Dayton.

(Talking points are provided for you to use, or you can write your own letter):

http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/state/main/?state=MN

_______________________________________________

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the
arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts,
or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

Arts Alert: Take Action Now To Oppose Diverting Arts Legacy Funds To Vikings Stadium

October 25th, 2011

MCA

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561
staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
@MnCitizen

October 21, 2011

ACT NOW! To Oppose Diverting Legacy Arts Funding to Vikings Stadium

As unbelievable as it may seem, some legislators have proposed diverting Arts Legacy funds to pay for a new Vikings Stadium. We must vigorously oppose this proposal which would do harm to arts funding in every corner of the state.

Go Here Now to send a letter to your legislators opposing this proposal. Talking points are provided there for you to use, and it will automatically send the letters to your legislators, even if you don’t know who they are:

http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/state/main/?state=MN

If you see your legislators in the next two weeks, here are some talking points:

I am alarmed at press reports that some legislators are proposing diverting the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund to pay for a Vikings Stadium. I want you to know that, as your constituent, I am absolutely opposed to using this Fund for the stadium.
Thousands of Minnesotans worked together on the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Vote Yes campaign to ensure dedicated funds for the outdoors and for the arts and history. Diverting these funds is not only illegal, but a bait and switch to the taxpayers who voted for the amendment with the belief that we were preserving the arts and outdoors.
Those who have made this proposal have obviously not read the constitution. The constitution limits says these funds “may be spent only for arts, arts education, and arts access and to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.” There is no mention of stadiums anywhere in the constitution.
It is clear that the legislative intent of the Fund is to support Minnesota’s arts and history. No where in that debate, nor in the constitution itself, is there language that says these funds can be used to pay for-profit stadium. Legislative intent is very clear on this matter.
The non-profits in every corner of Minnesota who depend upon these resources to provide arts opportunities in every county would be harmed by this proposal. There is not a single legislative district that would not have a negative impact from it.
Please immediately oppose the diversion of Legacy funds for any stadium.

Take Action Now!

***If you hear back from your legislators, please let me know what they are telling you about this proposal. Thanks! ***

_______________________________________________

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your
legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more
about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at
mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alerts: Nonprofits: Sign On To Protect Incentives for Charitable Giving

October 17th, 2011

arts alert / arts alert / arts alert /arts alert / arts alert

MCA

October 13, 2011

1. Nonprofits: Take Action to Protect Federal Incentives for Charitable Giving

2. Plunge in Performing Arts Jobs Reported

3. Nominate Someone Great for a Sally Award

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1. Nonprofits: Take Action to Protect Federal Incentives for Charitable Giving

Will charitable tax deductions be altered as a part of structural changes to the federal budget? Although the immediate threat appears to be gone, there is an ongoing conversation about the future of this and other deductions. Deductable charitable donations provide a unique and substantial public benefit as nonprofits addresses diverse and essential needs of communities.

Please join MCA in signing-on to this letter to Congress, with our national partner the National Council of Nonprofits, to be
delivered prior to a hearing of the Joint Select Commission on Deficit Reduction on Tuesday, October 18. To sign on, please have your executive director complete this simple online form by noon on Monday, October 17.

___________________________

2. Plunge in Performing Arts Jobs Reported

The “Mandel on Innovation and Growth” blog is reporting new research that shows a recent plunge in performing arts jobs, caused by the recession, reduction in charitable giving, and cuts to the arts in other states. “Over the past year, employment at performing arts companies has dropped a sharp 16%, according to today’s figures from the BLS. Performing arts employment is now at the lowest level since 1990.” Check out his report here.

_________________________________

3. Nominate Someone Great for a Sally Award

The 2011 Sally Ordway Irvine Awards will continue this tradition, and you can be a part of it! We invite you to join in the fun by nominating artists to be considered for the 2011 Sally Awards. It’s easy to do. Just think about the
artists who have inspired you, your family or your friends, and forward their names to us as nominees for the 2011 Sally Awards. The Awards include the following five
categories:

ARTS ACCESS | VISION | INITIATIVE | COMMITMENT | EDUCATION

Please consider making a nomination, and forward this invitation
to your friends and colleagues. The nomination form is available on the Ordway’s website at ordway.org/sallyawards.

THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011.

If you have any questions regarding the nomination form or the awards, please contact Kate Youngdahl at the Ordway at 651.282.3101.

_______________________________________________

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the
arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts,
or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: MCA Seeking Board Members

September 22nd, 2011

arts alert / arts alert / arts alert /arts alert / arts alert

MCA

September 21, 2011

1. MCA Seeking Board Members

2. Blues, Brews and Natures Views Headline Legacy Weekend in Fergus Falls

3. State Arts Board Wants YOU to Serve on a Grants Panel / New Deadlines

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1. MCA Seeking Board Members

Nominations for MCA’s Board Now Open

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts is soliciting nominations for its Board of Trustees. Terms begin November, 2011 and will last for two years. Half of MCA’s 36 board members must come from the Twin Cities metro area, and half from Greater Minnesota. Interested? Fill out the form below and return it by October 7, 2011 by email, fax, or by snail mail to the above address. There are approximately five board openings each year, and MCA’s bylaws ensure that board representation comes from all over the state.

MCA seeks board members who:

Have a willingness to work, volunteer and come to our meetings.
Are people with political connections, political strategists, and people with an understanding of the political process, or are willing to learn
Have mix of party affiliation
Provide balance in terms of the size or type of organizations represented on the board (large, medium, small, arts education, individual artist, etc.)
Have clout within their organizations and/or peers, and have the ability and willingness to communicate about the need for arts advocacy
Provide other balances in terms of representing the state or the arts community (ie diversity in terms of age, race, etc).
Your nomination to the board is more likely to be successful if you are a paid member of MCA and if you have previously been a part of Arts Advocacy Day, the Vote Yes campaign, or volunteered for the cause in some other way. (Please do not nominate someone else unless you have discussed it with them first, and they have provided an answer to the question “Why do you want to be on the MCA board?).

MCA Board Nomination Form: Answer these questions and send to: staff@mncitizensforthearts.org

NOMINEE NAME:
Home Address:
Work Address:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Organization (If appropriate):
Title (If appropriate):
Legislative District # (If unknown, MCA can identify it for you):
Experience with your local arts community:
Political Experience (desired, but not necessary):
Why are you interested in serving on the MCA Board of Trustees?

_______________________________________________

2. Blues, Brews and Natures Views Headline Legacy Weekend in Fergus Falls

Fergus Falls will showcase great blues music, a brewer’s festival and nature photography classes during its Legacy Weekend October 13-15, 2011. The Convention and Visitors Bureau invites visitors to experience some or all of these activities – plus others – as the community recognizes the positive impact of the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment approved by Minnesota voters in 2008. As one of twelve cities selected, Fergus Falls is pleased to highlight the weekend of arts, history and outdoor events and activities representative of the quality and variety of opportunities the community offers though out the year.

“Fergus Falls has both great outdoors and arts opportunities made possible, in part, by Legacy grants, and we thought it would make a fun weekend to combine them to give people access to all of the great things happening with the Amendment here,” said Jean Bowman, Fergus Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau director. “It’s a positive thing for our area.”

The weekend features a variety of events hosted by organizations that have received Legacy grants but not limited to said funding. The Legacy amendment was approved by Minnesota voters in 2008. This Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment supports projects in Minnesota’s outdoor and arts & cultural heritage, clean water, environment and natural resources, and parks & trails. Legacy Weekends is a joint effort by Explore Minnesota, Conservation Minnesota, and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts.

Thursday, October 13^th

Blues: Trent Romens in Concert at A Center for the Arts, Thursday, October 13^th at 7:30 p.m. Surrounded by music all his life, Trent Romens started playing guitar at the age of 11. Trent has been listening to the blues and the music this genre has inspired. By the age of 13, he was performing with some of the Twin Cities’ greatest blues and reggae artists. His greatest influences are the artists that have proven their
music to be timeless, and whose songs hold great weight: the lyrics of Bob Marley and Dylan, the improvisational spirit
of the Grateful Dead, and the scorching guitar grooves of The Allman Brothers Band. Singing and writing his own songs for a little over a year, Trent continues to discover his own unique and powerful sound. Tickets are Adults $12 advance/$14 day of show and students $5 any time. To reserve tickets call 218-736-5453 or visit www.fergusarts.org. This activity was funded, in part, by a Legacy grant from the Lakes Region Arts Council.

Friday, October 14th

Brews: Plan to attend the Brewers Festival at the VFW from 7-10 p.m., Friday, October 14. The Brewers Fest provides an opportunity to expand your palate by featuring a wide selection of beer and wine. The VFW is an ideal location with plenty of room and great hors d’oeuvres. If you are looking for a way to celebrate the fall season with an event that is fun and unique, then plan to attend the Brewers Festival. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information call the Fergus Falls VFW at 218-739-2697. This event is a fundraiser for the OTCHS (www.OTCHS.org). The Otter Tail County Historical Society is a Legacy grant recipient from the MN Historical Society.

Saturday, October 15^th

Natures Views: A Nature Photography Class will be offered at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (PWLC), 8 a.m. – noon. Learn how to photograph everything from naturescapes to insects. Participants will have hands-on time for the first two hours as Park Ranger Matt Conner teaches nature photography techniques in the field from 8 a.m – 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. – noon, participants will spend time with professional nature photographer Roland Jordahl as he shares stories of with personal photographic journey. Pre-registration is requested but not required. Call 218-998-4481. The class is free. The PWLC is a residential environmental education center with 330 acres of tall-grass
prairie and wetlands.

More Activities In Fergus Falls on Legacy Weekend:

Film premiere of “Fergus Falls Aerosol Art documentary,” Thursday at 6 p.m., Kaddatz Gallery. The premiere coincides with the Lake Region Arts Council Legacy-funded aerosol mural at 120 E. Lincoln (from the alley side)! www.kaddatzgalleries.org for more information.
Central Lakes Trail guided bicycle ride Saturday from 2-4 p.m. This is a short, six mile guided ride perfect for families that will last two hours leaving from DeLagoon Park and turning around just past Swan Lake. Skits and stories will be provided at stops along the trail. There is a limit of 20 participants, with children under 8 required to be pulled by parents. Pre-registration is required by Thursday noon by calling the Fergus Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-726-8959. The tour will be guided by a DNR Area Naturalist, whose position is funded by Minnesota Legacy Funds.
The Minnesota Music Coalition’s “Caravan du Nord” Concert at A Center for the Arts, 7 p.m. Saturday night. The evening features local group Radio On opening, followed by Alison Scott, then the headlining group The New Standards, Tickets: Adults $15 advance/$16 day of show, Students/Children $5 anytime. For more information call 218-736-5453 or visit www.fergusarts.org. This event is funded in part by a legacy grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Concert at A Center for the Arts featuring guitarist Mark Hanson, Sunday at 4 p.m. Mark Hanson is a composer, arranger, performer, writer and teacher. His awards include a 2005 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album for “Pink Guitar: Fingerstyle Guitar Solos of Classic Henry Mancini Melodies.” He has presented concerts and workshops around the country for over 20 years. Tickets: Adults $12 advance/$14 day of show children/students $5 any time. For more information call 218-736-5453 or visit www.FergusArts.org. A Center for the
Arts is a Legacy grant recipient from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

For more information about Fergus Falls visit www.VisitFergusFalls.com or call 800-726-8959. For other Minnesota Legacy Destinations visit www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/legacy.

_______________________________________________

3. State Arts Board Wants YOU to Serve on a Grants Panel

The Arts Board is looking for volunteers to serve as panelists for their 2012 grant programs. Panelists should be Minnesota residents who are artists, arts administrators, arts educators, or board members with arts organizations. The Arts Board is looking for panelists for all program areas. If you’re interested, fill out a panelist nomination form, found on the Arts Board website at http://www.arts.state.mn.us/about/volunteer.htm

If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Tonko,
panel and program coordinator, at 651-215-1608 or jennifer.tonko@arts.state.mn.us.

Also, the MSAB has announced new deadlines for its grant programs. Some of the changes were made because of the affect of the state shutdown on the board’s operations. Grant application deadlines for fiscal year 2012 have been posted on the Minnesota State Arts Board Web calendar here: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/calendar/.

Remember that the Regional arts councils offer additional art grant opportunities!
In addition to grant programs sponsored by the Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota’s eleven regional arts councils, covering every county in Minnesota, each offer grant programs for individual artists, arts organizations, schools, social service agencies, and others. To find out grant opportunities sponsored by the regional art council in your area, visit http://www.arts.state.mn.us/racs/index.htm

_______________________________________________

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the
arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts,
or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: NEA Chair Rocco Landesman to Lead Forum in Mpls

September 15th, 2011

September 7, 2011

1. NEA Chair Rocco Landesman to Lead Forum in Mpls on Friday Sept. 9

2. State Arts Board Wants YOU to Serve on a Grants Panel / New Deadlines

3. Doris Duke Offers Leadership Program

___________________________

1. NEA Chair Rocco Landesman to Lead Forum in Mpls on Friday Sept. 9

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Rocco Landesman will be in Minnesota on Friday, September 9, 2011 attending a roundtable discussion on Creative Placemaking. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held 1:30-3 p.m. at the Minneapolis Central Library in Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

The panel will also include Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Sarah Harris, Chief Operating Officer of the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District and Tom Borrup, Principal of Creative Community Builders. The panel will be introduced by Sue Gens, Executive Director of the Minnesota State
Arts Board, and the discussion will be moderated by Tom Fisher, Professor of Architecture and Dean of the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. The panel is co-hosted by Hennepin
Theatre Trust and the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. The NEA recently awarded 51 “Our Town” grants nationwide which focus on “Creative Placemaking,” a process and initiative that encourages partners from both the public and private sectors to come together to strategically shape the social, physical, and economic character of a neighborhood, town, city, or region around arts and cultural activities.

_______________________________________________

2. State Arts Board Wants YOU to Serve on a Grants Panel / New Deadlines

If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Tonko,
panel and program coordinator, at 651-215-1608 or jennifer.tonko@arts.state.mn.us.

—————————————————————–

3. Doris Duke Offers Leadership Program

Doris Duke Leaders in the Arts Fund

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has approved a 2-year grant in the amount of $50,000 to the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. The purpose of the Grant is to support the creation of the Doris Duke Leaders in the Arts Fund, which will subsidize the participation of leaders in the fields of dance, jazz, presenting and theatre in the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute.

The Shannon Institute brings together a small group of experienced leaders and provides for them an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of their work, strengthen their leadership capacity, and gain a better understanding of the community they serve. It engages artists, writers, and social scientists to work with the group of approximately 20 participants to explore such topics as balance, risk taking and courage, creativity, and community. The insights and energy the program engenders come from the nature and process of the group, which is comprised of people from different backgrounds, organizational types, and geographic areas.

The Institute is available in two different formats that extend over the full calendar year. The first begins in January and consists of monthly sessions, each an evening and a full day. The second begins in March and meets quarterly for three days each session. In both programs, the sessions vary in format and are designed to provide intellectual challenge, enhanced self-awareness, clarity of purpose, and renewed commitment to service—all important for leadership development.

The Institute has been designed to ensure that the people who are providing valuable leadership in our communities can be nurtured, challenged, and supported in their work.

For more information, or instructions on how to apply, please contact Paul Robinson at the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute at ppr@wilder.org or 651-280-2491.

—————————————————————-

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the
arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts,
or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: Weekends Highlight Positive Impact of Legacy Funding

August 18th, 2011

MCA

August 18, 2011

1. Weekends Highlight Positive Impacts of Legacy Grants

2. State Arts Board to Offer Grant Info Sessions Around the State

3. Doris Duke Offers Leadership Program

___________________________

1. Weekends Highlight Positive Impacts of Legacy Grants

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Conservation Minnesota and Explore Minnesota Tourism are working together on the Legacy Weekends project, highlighting all of the positive opportunties brought to Minnesotans as a result of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Rochester’s Legacy Weekend, starting tomorrow and going through Sunday, will mark the seventh event around the state. Visitors will enjoy a weekend of 8-string guitars, number one hits, and 5-mile hikes in Rochester for a diverse weekend of arts, history, and outdoor events staged in local parks, trails, and theaters.

“Our community offers both cultural and outdoor recreation, and we thought it would be fun to let people sample the variety of great things there are to see and do in Rochester,” said Bari Amadio, Executive Director of the Rochester Arts Council. “It’s a positive thing for our area.”

Minnesotans voted in 2008 to set aside an increased portion of sales tax revenue to provide financial support for a variety of conservation, parks and arts programs. The Legacy Destination Weekends recognizes one community each month to highlight Legacy events, and Rochester was granted its weekend in August.

Highlights and a detailed schedule of events is available online at www.rochestercvb.org/legacy-destination-weekend. Among the events on the Legacy Weekend schedule:

· Scotland’s own Paul McKenna Band will take the Peace Plaza stage in downtown Rochester during the Thursdays on First & Third summer market and music festival as the second performance in a series of three World Music mini-residency “capstone concerts.” The band’s music is created through outstanding vocals, 8-string bouzouki guitars, and intense fiddle playing. This event was funded, in part, by Legacy Grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council.

· Rochester City Trail System, Silver Lake Park, 700 West Silver Lake Drive NE
Park and ride your bike or walk along more than 85 miles of Legacy-supported trails in Rochester along the new connection to the Douglas State Trail. Maps and loops are available at http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/trails/index.asp.

· Quarry Hill Nature Center and Park, 701 Silver Creek Road NE, 507-328-3950
Visit the Nature Center and ask for your free Quarry Hill water bottle before you head out for a walk around the beautiful new three acre pond, partially funded by a Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Grant.

· The Olmsted County History Center will be showing a movie under the stars. A free will offering is collected as the admission to this event. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. This event is funded, in part, by a Legacy Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society.

· The Rochester Arts Council presents the 3rd Annual ARTigras in Mayo Park including live performances by musical acts, artists, storytellers as well as artisans and vendor booths with family friendly activities. This event was funded, in part, by a Legacy Grant from the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council.

· A live musical performance of Americana Showcase featuring Bob Wootton, Johnny Cash’s lead guitarist, and Brandon Sampson of Six Mile Grove at the Rochester Civic Theatre. This event was funded, in part, by a Legacy Grant from the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council.

· Brunch in the Art Center’s Grand Lobby while Chicago-based artist Tony Tasset and Rochester Art Center chief curator Kris Douglas lead a thought-provoking presentation on his exhibition Life During War Time, followed by a gallery tour. This event was funded, in part, by a Legacy Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

· Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and coolers down to the park to enjoy Collective Soul in Mayo Park at 7pm, Sunday August 21. Down by the Riverside is a seven-week-long free outdoor concert series. Collective Soul shot to international fame with #1 hit “Shine” and fueled a string of chart topping hits including “December”, “The World I Know”, and “Where the River Flows.” Riverside Concerts, the event promoter, is funded, in part, by Legacy Grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Southeast Minnesota Arts Council.

Rochester hotels are offering special rates for visitors staying in Rochester during Legacy Weekend. For a list of hotels and the packages they offer please visit http://www.rochestercvb.org/legacy-weekend-hotel-offers/. For more information, please contact Mary Gastner at 800-634-8277 or MGastner@RochesterCVB.org or visit www.rochestercvb.org.

_______________________________________________

2. State Arts Board to Offer Grant Info Sessions Around the State

The Minnesota State Arts Board has announced grant deadlines that will occur this fall. Anyone who would like to learn about upcoming grant opportunities is invited to attend a free session in your area. Sessions will be held between Tuesday, today through Wednesday, August 24 in twelve communities throughout the state:

Bloomington – Wednesday, August 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Bloomington Center for the Arts, Rehearsal Hall, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road

Braham – Wednesday, August 24, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
East Central Regional Arts Council, 112 Main Street South

Brainerd – Thursday, August 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Central Lakes Community College, Room C236 501 West Campus College Drive

Duluth – Monday, August 22, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 111

Mankato – Tuesday, August 23, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center, Room 104, Bethany Lutheran College, 715 Luther Drive

Marshall – Thursday, August 18, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council, 1210 East College Drive, Suite 600

Rochester – Thursday, August 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Heintz Center, Classroom H.A. 104, 1926 College
View Road S.E.

Saint Cloud – Wednesday, August 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre and Visual Arts Center, 913 W. Saint Germain Street

In the first 60 minutes of the Grant Information Session, all grant programs will be reviewed. In the second 60 minutes, the Artists Initiative grant
will be discussed in detail. Individuals do not need to stay for both hours.

The workshops are free
of charge, but advance registration is strongly encouraged. Register by contacting the Arts Board by phone (651) 215-1600; (800) 866-2787, MN Relay 7-1-1.

The above list of dates and locations can also be viewed in the Deadlines/Calendar section of the Arts Board Web site: http://www.arts.state.mn.us

The Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency dedicated to ensuring that all Minnesotans have
the opportunity to participate in the arts. Funds for Minnesota State Arts Board programs are provided through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature, with additional
funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

-—————————————————————–

3. Doris Duke Offers Leadership Program

Doris Duke Leaders in the Arts Fund

The Institute has been designed to ensure that the people who are providing valuable leadership in our communities can be nurtured, challenged, and supported in their work.

For more information, or instructions on how to apply, please contact Paul Robinson at the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute at ppr@wilder.org or 651-280-2491.

—————————————————————-

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Search for: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA
organizes the arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate
for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: State Shutdown Ends, Arts Funding Safe

July 21st, 2011

MCA

July 20, 2011

State Shutdown Ends; Arts Funding Safe

This morning the Governor signed the bills that ended Minnesota’s state government shutdown. So, what happened to the arts?

LEGACY

We achieved a $2M increase in additional Legacy arts funding for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils. Our goal was to obtain 50% of the Arts Fund for the arts through the MSAB & RACs. In the end we achieved 43%. (While the appropriation to the MSAB/RACs was increased, the overall revenue from Legacy also grew, so our overall percentage was slightly reduced).

GENERAL FUND

When session began, we were worried about cuts to the arts as high as 40% because of the state’s historic deficit. You may recall that we were successful in reducing the General Fund arts cut in the State Government Finance bill to 20% and then again to 15% during the regular session. Here’s the good news: we reduced the cut here again to 10%.

We are very pleased that the end of the shutdown means that the staff at the Minnesota State Arts Board can come back to work. Welcome back!

This outcome could not have happened without the help of all of YOU fabulous arts advocates. Many thousands of calls, letters, and personal meetings led up to this outcome. Thank you also to the great engaged board of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. We are proud of our great arts community and your willingness to engage and make a difference for our state.

Thank you!

——————————————————————

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Search for: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and
how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and
lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate
people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: There is a Deal

July 15th, 2011

MCA

July 14, 2011

There is a Deal

The Governor and GOP Legislative leadership have agreed to a deal that will end Minnesota’s state government shutdown, which has been the longest in our nation’s history. It remains to be seen if the legislature will approve the deal over the next few days, although the GOP leadership in both the House and Senate are stating that they have the votes in their caucuses to get it done.

The details of the deal are being widely reported, you can catch up on them here: http://www.startribune.com/

As this wraps up, we need to keep an eye on our two bills:

LEGACY

Word has come that the problems with the Legacy bill that kept it from passing at the end of the regular legislative session have been resolved, and we expect that the bill will be one of those that is reintroduced and passed in the special session. (None of the problems that kept the bill from passage had anything to do with the arts). This bill contains about $2M in additional arts funding via the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils.

GENERAL FUND

You may recall that we were successful in reducing the General Fund arts cut in the State Government Finance bill from 20% to 15% during the regular session. We will be working to preserve this position over the next week, and we will keep you appraised if there are further developments that affect the arts appropriation.

We are very pleased that the deal may soon bring an end to the staff layoffs at the Minnesota State Arts Board.

——————————————————————

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Search for: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and
how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and
lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate
people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: State Arts Board Still Shutdown But RACs Open For Now

July 13th, 2011

MCA

July 12, 2011

1. State Arts Board Shutdown, But RACs Open for Now

2. Winona’s Legacy Weekend July 15-17

___________________________

1. State Arts Board Still Shutdown; RACs Open for Now

The Arts Board shut down with most of the rest of state government on July 1, 2011, temporarily laying off all staff and stopping all functions of the office, including grant panels, grant approvals, and board activity. As long as the state government is shut down, the staff will be out of work and grant payments will be delayed. It is upsetting for all of us that the Arts Board staff was laid off and we hope they will be back in their offices soon.

In contrast to the dark offices at the MSAB, I am pleased to report that, for now, almost all of the Regional Arts Councils are able to stay open using funds from other sources. The RACs are continuing their services and grantmaking process’, although grants cannot be provided for the new fiscal year, as the legislature and governor did not make appropriations to them yet. However, if the shutdown goes on very long some of them will have to cease operations until new appropriations are made for their operations.

(More information on how this affects the arts community can be found on the website http://www.arts.state.mn.us/news/2011/06/potential-state-shutdown.htm. There is also additional information on the shutdown at the state’s official site www.bereadymn.com direct link at https://www.bereadymn.com/2011-contingency-planning).

Where did the arts stand at the end of session?

Arts funding is in limbo, as the bills that would have appropriated funds are tied up in the overall budget dispute and did not pass. We are in two bills:

GENERAL FUND

After a long struggle, MCA managed to reduced the cuts to the arts in the General Fund from 20% to 15%, in line with the state budget deficit of 15%. The General Fund bill was passed by the legislature and sent to the Governor but he vetoed it, so they will have to re-introduce and re-pass the bill when ever they convene in a Special Session to pass the final budget agreement.

ARTS LEGACY

A filibuster prevented the Legacy bill from passing the House floor, it also will need to be re-introduced and re-passed in a special session. There is about a $2 million increase for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils in the current version of the Legacy bill.

What do we do now?

There will continue to be a lull as the DFL Governor and GOP legislative leadership continue to negotiate the budget resolution. We will have to wait and see how it goes. However, the longer it goes the more likely it becomes that Regional Arts Councils will have to shut down and State Arts Board operations and grant payments will be delayed even further.

_______________________________________________

2. Winona Legacy Weekend July 15-17

The river city of Winona is the next Minnesota town to organize a Legacy Weekend to celebrate the ways that the Legacy funding preserved the local landscape and brought greater access to the arts. Along the banks of the Mississippi, water influences nearly everything.

Visit Winona, the Great River Shakespeare Festival, Winona County Historical Society, MN Marine Art Museum, Pickwick Mill, Frozen River Film Festival and the City of Winona, will celebrate the arts, historic and outdoor heritage of Winona.

Check out these fun events:

The Great River Shakespeare Festival is offering three productions over three days; A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Saturday, July 16 at 8:00 pm), Henry IV: Part 1 (Friday, July 15 at 2:00 pm and Sunday, July 17 at 2:00 pm), and The Fantasticks (Friday July 15 at 8:00 pm and Saturday, July 16 at 2:00 pm). There will also be Festival Morning Q and A at the Acoustic Cafe on Saturday at 10:00am and the Shakespeare Symposium at Winona State University on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. For information and tickets contact 507-474-7900 or visit www.grsf.org
The Winona County Historical Society is displaying two exhibits at the Winona County History Center, Steamboats Models of the Mississippi and Minnesota on the Map. There will beFamily Gallery Activities all weekend and a FREE performance by the Songs of Hope International Choir Concert on Saturday, July 15, at 2:00 p.m. $1 off admission
to the Museum. For more information, contact 507-454-2723 or visit www.winonahistory.or
The Frozen River Film Festival is sponsoring an Iraqi Art Exhibit; “Navigating the Aftermath” at the Winona County History Center featuring Iraqi artists with an opening reception on Saturday from 4:00 pm- 7:00 p.m. The film “The Unreturned”, produced by the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project, will be shown for FREE at the Winona County History Center at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 17.
The City of Winona Park and Recreation Department is offering FREE watercraft rental at Lake Lodge at Lake Winona. Friday: 4- 8pm and Saturday/Sunday from 1-6 pm.
Pickwick Mill is offering FREE admission on Saturday (10 am – 5 pm) and Sunday (11 am- 5 pm). For more information contact 507-457-0499 or visit www.pickwickmill.org
The FREE Wild River Family Fest on July 16 from 10:30 am-1:00pm is offering outdoor and indoor family activities provided in partnership with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge, Whitewater State Park and the Winona State University Geology Department. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum displays historical Marine Art, Hudson River School paintings, Impressionism and regional contemporary exhibitions. $1 off admission Friday-Sunday. For more information contact: 507-474-6625 or visit www.minnesotamarineart.org

——————————————————————

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Search for: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and
how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and
lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate
people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: State Arts Board Would be Affected By State Shutdown

June 14th, 2011

MCA

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561
staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
www.mncitizensforthearts.org
@MnCitizen

June 14, 2011

1. State Arts Board Would Be Affected By State Shutdown

2. Guess the Band: Get a Hotel Stay for Rochester’s Legacy Weekend

___________________________

1. State Arts Board Would Be Affected By State Shutdown

The Arts Board now has information about the possible state government shut down on the Arts Board web site. Direct link http://www.arts.state.mn.us/news/2011/06/potential-state-shutdown.htm.

They will update the page as more info becomes available to staff. There is also additional information at the state’s official site www.bereadymn.com direct
link at https://www.bereadymn.com/2011-contingency-planning. Here’s some of what they know now:

“If a budget agreement is not reached by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2011, state agencies will not have funding to provide services or conduct business and the state will face a potential shutdown of state government services effective July 1, 2011. All state agencies—which includes the Minnesota State Arts Board—have been directed to start planning for a potential state shutdown….”

“Will the regional arts councils continue to operate if there is a shutdown? Some might, some might not. Regional arts councils are independent nonprofit organizations. They are not required to close if a shutdown occurs. However, the State of Minnesota is their principal source of funding. Since the legislature has not approved either the State general fund appropriations, or the arts and cultural heritage fund Legacy Amendment appropriations for fiscal year 2012-13, regional arts councils may not have the resources to operate during a shutdown.

Please contact the regional arts council in your area for information about its specific plans for operating if there is a shutdown.”

You may recall that the legislature adjourned with no resolution on the state budget deficit. This sets us up for an eventual Special Session at some point this summer, and possibly a government shut down as of July 1, 2011, if no budget agreement is reached by then.

This means that MSAB grants, starting July 1, 2011, cannot be made. Grantee checks will be delayed until the shutdown ends.

Where did the arts stand at the end of session?

The arts are now funded from two sources, the regular General Fund and the new Legacy fund.

GENERAL FUND

ARTS LEGACY

A filibuster prevented the Legacy bill from passing the House floor, it too will need to be re-introduced and re-passed in a special session. There is about a $2 million increase for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils in the current version of the Legacy bill.

What do we do now?

There will be a short lull as the Governor and GOP leadership continue to negotiate the budget resolution. We will have to wait and see how it goes. However, we will now all be watching for July 1, the date that state government, including the Minnesota State Arts Board, will shut down if there is no agreement.

_______________________________________________

2. Guess the Band: Get a Hotel Stay for Rochester’s Legacy Weekend

Minnesota music fans can guess which popular 90s Alternative Rock band will play August 21 at the Down by the Riverside concert for a chance to win a hotel stay and welcome package in Rochester for the August 18-21 Legacy Destination Weekend.

The Think Mutual Bank Down by the Riverside Free Summer Concert Series is a seven-week-long series in Mayo Park, behind the Mayo Civic Center, is funded in part by the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment voters passed in 2008. The final concert of the year, the “big one,” coincides with Legacy Destination Weekend in Rochester, which also includes events at the Rochester Civic Theatre, Rochester Art Center, Quarry Hill Nature Center, and local parks and trails.

“Legacy Destination Weekend will showcase many of the arts, history, and outdoors projects in Rochester, but this concert will be the finale,” said Chris Alcott with Riverside Concerts, “and while we can’t announce the big name that’ll play on August 21, we can let everyone in on the fun of guessing.”

The name of the band and the winner will be announced at the Riverside Announcement Party on Thursday, June 16th at the Thursdays On First, Coca-Cola Third St. Stage. In the event of multiple correct answers, one fan will be chosen at random. Fans make a guess at: http://my.conservationminnesota.org/site/PageNavigator/RochesterLegacyWeekendConcert.html

“From its parks to its trails to its theaters and museums, Rochester is a vibrant community that has benefitted greatly from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment,” said Paul Austin, Executive Director of Conservation Minnesota, one of the organizers of Legacy Destination Weekends, along with Explore Minnesota Tourism and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Learn more at www.exploreminnesota.com/legacy or search #mnlegacy on Twitter.

——————————————————————

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Search for: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and
how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and
lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate
people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: Session Ends With the Jury Still Out on Arts Funding

May 25th, 2011

MCA

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561
staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
@MnCitizen

May 24, 2011

1. Session Ends With the Jury Still Out on Arts Funding

2. Good News on Other Nonprofit Legislation

3. Join Minnesota’s Rural Arts and Culture Summit June 8-11

4. Last Week to Be Counted In Arts Census

5. Lanesboro Announces Legacy Weekend to Draw Attention to Legacy Funded Projects

___________________________

1. Session Ends With the Jury Still Out on Arts Funding

The legislative session ended at midnight last night with no resolution on the state budget deficit. This sets us up for an eventual Special Session at some point this summer, and possibly a government shut down as of July 1, 2011, if no budget agreement is reached.

If there is a government shut down, the Minnesota State Arts Board, like most other state agencies, will have to furlough employees and close down until the budget is passed. This means that grants, starting July 1, 2011, cannot be made. Grantee checks will be delayed until the shutdown ends.

Where did we stand as of midnight last night?

The arts are now funded from two sources, the regular General Fund and the new Legacy fund.

GENERAL FUND

After a long struggle, MCA managed to reduced the cuts to the arts in the General Fund from 20% to 15%, in line with the state budget deficit of 15%. The General Fund bill was passed by the legislature and sent to the Governor but he vetoed it this afternoon, as it does not reflect any agreements with the legislature on how to solve the budget. Governor Dayton wants to include some new revenue in the state budget from an additional income tax on the state’s top 2% earners. The GOP controlled legislature wants to solve the budget deficit only with cuts. This is the core disagreement.

ARTS LEGACY

The Legacy bill was only completed on Sunday, but was quickly sent to the Senate where it passed early Monday. In order to become law it needed to pass the House by midnight last night. When it was brought to the House floor, a controversy erupted over a provision that would allow the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council to avoid operating under the full Open Meeting Law. Rep. Urdahl, the bill’s author, asked the House to send the bill back to the Senate asking the provision to be changed. The House did so at 8 PM on a vote of 119 to 14. However, a short time later Rep. Urdahl asked the floor to reconsider that vote because the Senate refused to change the provision. After some debate they did so on a vote of
69 to 65. This was about 9 PM.

From that point forward, there was a very long debate that took up the rest of the floor time until session ended at midnight without a vote on the bill. Because it did not pass, it means that the Legacy bill will also have to be reconsidered and passed in the eventual Special Session. There is about a $2 million increase for the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils in the current version of the Legacy bill.

What do we do now?

_______________________________________________

2. Good News on Other Nonprofit Legislation

Harmful Nonprofit Bills Miss Major Bill Deadline

We are glad to report that several bills harmful to nonprofits received no traction this year. Senate File 1096 would have prohibited grants to nonprofits if government entities or private business could provide the service. Other bills which would limit the pay of nonprofit staff and limit nonprofit financial reserves also did not get far. We will continue to monitor these proposals.

Chariable Reporting Conformity Bill Signed Into Law

House File 786 was signed into law by Gov. Dayton on May 18. This bill clarifies and simplifies nonprofit reporting of financial data at the state and federal levels. As a result of this bill, nonprofit organizations will calculate and report compensation for Minnesota’s Annual Report to the Attorney General using the same method as required for the federal IRS form 990. The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits ushered this bill through with the help of Rep. Greg Davids and Sen. Ted Daley.

_______________________________________________

3. Join Minnesota’s Rural Arts and Culture Summit June 8-11

Registration is Open for Rural Arts and Culture Summit:

Strengthening Rural Communities Through Arts, Culture and Heritage

Registration is now open for the first-ever Rural Arts and Culture Summit. Arts, cultural heritage, & history museum organizers, artists, art educators, volunteers, board members, and supporters are invited to participate in this event, which will help them further develop the quality of life in rural America. Summit participants will learn about growing trends and share best practices of building sustainable communities through arts and culture.

The Rural Arts and Culture Summit will be held June 8-11, 2011 on the campus of Minnesota Community and Technical College (MState) in Fergus Falls, MN.

“Artists play key roles revitalizing our communities economically and spiritually, especially in tough economies,” said Vickie Benson, arts program director at The McKnight Foundation. “Gathering arts leaders from across the country to share new ideas, challenges, and successes will greatly strengthen our own regional efforts to foster creative, vibrant places to live and work in Minnesota.”

A roster of nationally renowned speakers will deliver keynote addresses each day of the conference, including:

· Bill Cleveland, Founder and Director of the Center for the Study of Arts and the Community,

· Anne Katz, Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin, the state’s arts service, advocacy and development organization,

· Donna Walker-Kuhne is acknowledged as the nation’s foremost expert in Audience Development by the Arts & Business Council

In addition, over 60 breakout sessions will be led by professionals exploring specialized topics in such issues as:

· Building Collaborations and Networks

· Building Sustainable Communities Through Arts and Culture Ventures

· Marketing and Public Relations

· Development/Fundraising

· Board and Volunteer Development

· Outreach and Advocacy

· Evaluation and Assessment

· Arts Education

· CREATE –Opportunities to create with professional artists

· Film Screenings and Director talks

A pre-conference, “The Minnesota Legacy Amendment: Living Out the Trust of the People’s Investment” will occur on Wednesday afternoon, June 8^th, prior to the start of the full summit, for anyone interested in learning about the current impact and future of the Minnesota Legacy Amendment. Participants will have a chance to hear from and talk to legislators, state arts leaders and each other about pressing issues related to the Legacy Amendment. Since this is an issue which is unique to Minnesotans, it was decided to have a separate time set aside specifically for this issue, since the composition of the attendees will include people from several other states for whom this topic may not
be relevant.

The Summit will close with the Great American Think-Off, the annual philosophy competition sponsored by the New York Mills (MN) Regional Cultural Center in New York Mills. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be provided through Minnesota State University at Moorhead for no additional charge. Professional development or scholarship funds may be available from your regional arts councils. Contact their offices for further details.

Please go to the website for full details and registration: www.racsummit.org Questions: Contact racsummit2011@gmail.com or Vicki Chepulis at (701) 200-1375.

_______________________________________________

4. Last Week to Be Counted In Arts Census

It’s the last week to be counted in the Minnesota Arts Count census! The census ends May 31. Whether you take art classes, sing in a choir, act, write, paint, sew, weave, draw, play music, or dance; whether your art is a hobby or a profession, please participate. The legislature has requested this arts census and it’s important to accurately show the large number of people in the state who participate in the arts.

Visit www.mnartscount.com to take the three-minute survey. After you have taken
the short survey, send it to your artists friends and ask them to be counted too.

_______________________________________________

5. Lanesboro Announces Legacy Weekend to Draw Attention to Legacy Funded Projects

Celebrating arts, history and outdoor activities associated with Legacy Amendment Funding

Lanesboro is drawing attention to and celebrating their local resources and organizations by offering Minnesota residents and visitors an eclectic assortment of activities demonstrating the impact of the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment approved by Minnesota voters in 2008.

Lanesboro’s “Legacy Week”, set for June 18-25, 2011, is being organized by the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Lanesboro Arts Center, Commonweal Theatre Company, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, and the Fillmore County History Center. State partners collaborating with Lanesboro include Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Conservation Minnesota, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.

“Celebrating Lanesboro as a Legacy Destination is a great opportunity for community members and visitors to take part in what Minnesotans value: the arts, the out-of-doors, and the many partnerships we have here in our community that improve our quality of life,” said Sara Decker, Lanesboro Arts Center.

The week features a series of arts, outdoor, and cultural events put on by organizations that have received grants from the Legacy Amendment. For a full schedule of events go to www.lanesboro.com or http://www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/legacy/lanesboro/index.aspx

Lanesboro Arts Center

· Sat, June 18, 5:30 – 6:30 pm Public Reception for “Art in the Park” Artists FREE

· Sat, June 18, 8 pm “A Girl Named Vincent” Prudence Johnson Sings Music Inspired by the Poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay: stories, pictures, and jazz and blues music accompanied by a band (piano, cello, acoustic bass, percussion and pedal steel guitar) $15 member/$18 non-member.

· Sun, June 19, 10 am – 5 pm ‘Art in the Park’ Annual Father’s Day Arts Festival, with 85+ arts & crafts booths, live music and theater entertainment, local foods booths and kids activities. Held in Sylvan Park. FREE

· Sun, June 19, 10 am – 5 pm “Kids Create! A Family Art Project” at ‘Art in the Park’ FREE

· June 18 – 25 Exhibit: Landscape Oil Paintings by Minnesota Artist Mary Jo Van Dell FREE

· June 18 – 25 Featured Juried Sales Gallery Artists: Paul and Tracey Lambrecht FREE Exhibit.

· Fri, June 24, 7:30 pm Documentary Film: “Waste Land” Free-will donations. Held at the St. Mane Theatre.

Lanesboro Arts Center activities are funded in part by an Arts Legacy grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council.

Commonweal Theatre Company

Production: Little Shop of Horrors

· June 18 Preview 7:30 pm

· June 19 Preview Matinee 1:30 pm

· June 23-24 Preview 7:30 pm

· June 25 Opening 7:30 pm

Little Shop of Horrors book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken. Seymour is a lonely flower shop clerk living on Skid Row until an unusual plant – with a very unusual appetite – promises him fortune and fame…at a price. Don’t miss this smash hit musical-comedy! Previews $20; Opening $30. Commonweal productions have been funded in part by an Arts Legacy grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

· June 18 & 25 Eagle Bluff Ropes Course: Walking across a thin wire 30 feet in the air is an experience like no other. $20 per person ages 10-17; $25 per person ages 18 and up.

· June 22, 9 – 11 am. Old Buzzards Birding Eco Tour: A two-hour introduction to the flora and fauna of the Root River watershed surrounding Lanesboro, MN. $20/person.

Legacy Amendment funds have supported conservation easements to preserve wildlife habitat and projects to protect and improve water quality in the Root River watershed. Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center has been funded in part from a grant from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund which disseminates funding from the state lottery.

Other Outdoor Activities in Lanesboro include:

· June 18-25 Lanesboro Depot Visitor Center & Trailhead Beautification Project Location of the original 19th century Rail Depot. Trailhead Information Center on the Root River State Bike Trail.

· June 18-25 Geocache on the Root River State Bike Trail: Self – Guided Adventure. Pick up your guide at the Lanesboro Depot Visitor Center on the Root River State Bike Trail. FREE.

The Parks & Trails fund of the Legacy Amendment has provided for ongoing rehabilitation of the 60 mile paved Root River State Bike Trail System and trailhead landscaping projects.

Fillmore County History Center and Genealogy Library

· June 20-23 Fillmore County History Center and Genealogy Library Home to one of Southern Minnesota’s largest collection of antique agricultural equipment, aircraft, textile exhibits, tractor collection, log house, and country schoolhouse. The Minnesota Historical Society awarded a History Legacy Grant to the Fillmore County Historical Society to support its ADA Compliant Wheelchair Lift Project.

The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, passed by Minnesota voters on November, 2008, created new resources for land conservation, water conservation, parks and arts. The state agencies given responsibility to manage these funds by the state legislature have just completed the first year of grants made possible by the amendment. Minnesota Citizens for the Arts is a statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure access to the arts for all Minnesotans. MCA and Conservation Minnesota were leaders in the “Vote Yes!” campaign to pass the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Experience Minnesota’s great outdoors, history and the arts. Made possible by the Legacy Amendment
and Minnesotans like you!

——————————————————————

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Search for: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
TAKE ACTION: www.mncitizensforthearts.org at our frequently updated, one-stop site for: information about Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and
how you can get involved, an Action Center where you can write a letter to your legislator, or even find out who your legislators are, facts about the arts in Minnesota, the latest on legislative and congressional action on arts issues and more!
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and
lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate
people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

Arts Alert: Arts Funding Still Up In the Air

May 9th, 2011

MCA

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561

May 6, 2011

1. Senate Recommends $2M Increase But Legislative Activity Slows

2. Lanesboro Announces Legacy Weekend to Draw Attention to Legacy Funded Projects

___________________________

1. Senate Recommends $2M Increase But Legislative Activity Slows

We’ve had multiple hearings on arts funding in the last week, with testimony from our friends at a few of them, but there really hasn’t been much movement. And now the legislature seems to be slowing down instead of speeding up as we get into the last three weeks of session. I am increasingly pessimistic that they will get done by the required May 23 end date. This means that these decisions may drag on into special sessions. It seems to me that if they don’t finish by the required end date, we could have a situation where the General Fund for the arts (the money the arts received previous to passing the Legacy Amendment) would not get finalized, while the Legacy resources would. This is because, as a
dedicated fund, the Legacy funds are held outside of the regular budgeting process and would not be affected by whatever the deficit reduction deal ends up to be.

So, if you haven’t used our easy website to send your legislators an email yet, it’s not too late!

Just go here now: http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/issues/alert/?alertid=12568891&type=ST&show_alert=1

What’s Up:

GENERAL FUNDS:

The conference committee that will decide how much regular arts funding (from the General Fund) has been meeting. They are reconciling bills that would cut 20% out of the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils. The state’s $5 billion deficit is about 15% of the budget overall. The cut is obviously larger than the state
deficit would require. The belief at the Capitol is that Governor Dayton will veto these bills (if they ever pass them – it increasingly looks like they might not pass them until a deal is reached
with the Governor) and ask the Legislature start over. But we can’t count on that. We still have a very long road ahead of us, as the legislature and Governor are still miles apart on how to solve the state’s budget deficit.

ARTS LEGACY FUNDS:
Both the House and Senate have had hearings on the Arts Legacy funds will go to the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils for grants and services in every corner of the state.

The good news is that the Senate’s bill came out with a $2 million increase for the MSAB/RACs, while the House has us at level funding. These two bills will need to be reconciled before we know how much the arts will see in the end.

The more funding they put into the MSAB/RAC system, the more we can make sure that arts resources are shared across the state and make sure that the “arts” are funded and not other random things. However, we are facing the spectre of a bunch of proposed earmarks taking up large hunks of Arts Legacy funds, turning a statewide resource via the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regonal Arts Councils into just a few bricks and morter projects that would benefit only a few people.

In response to complaints about all of the potential earmarks, the Chair of the House committee introduced an amendment that revamped the whole bill. He grouped a bunch of things that could be considered earmarks into competitive grants programs (for example, he combined all the public broadcasting funds for tv and radio into a competitive grant program at the Dept. of Administration, instead of leaving them as line-items for MPR, public TV, and AMPERS as they had been in the past). This move, however, didn’t remove the two obvious earmarks in the bill: money for county fairs through the Dept. of Agriculture, and some veteran’s camps. (It is important to note that the county fairs were already eligible for
funding from both the MSAB and RAC’s arts programs). This revamping didn’t affect the MSAB and RACs, because all of their programs are already competitive. In fact, they are the gold
standard for competitive grantmaking.

So, you can’t be at the Capitol. But you can see that things are stiill up in the air, so it’s not too late to add your voice asking legislators to support funding for the arts:

Just go here, do it now:

http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/issues/alert/?alertid=12568891&type=ST&show_alert=1

_______________________________________________

2. Lanesboro Announces Legacy Weekend to Draw Attention to Legacy Funded Projects

Lanesboro Arts Center

· Sat, June 18, 5:30 – 6:30 pm Public Reception for “Art in the Park” Artists FREE

· Sun, June 19, 10 am – 5 pm “Kids Create! A Family Art Project” at ‘Art in the Park’ FREE

· June 18 – 25 Exhibit: Landscape Oil Paintings by Minnesota Artist Mary Jo Van Dell FREE

· June 18 – 25 Featured Juried Sales Gallery Artists: Paul and Tracey Lambrecht FREE Exhibit.

· Fri, June 24, 7:30 pm Documentary Film: “Waste Land” Free-will donations. Held at the St. Mane Theatre.

Lanesboro Arts Center activities are funded in part by an Arts Legacy grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council.

Commonweal Theatre Company

Production: Little Shop of Horrors

· June 18 Preview 7:30 pm

· June 19 Preview Matinee 1:30 pm

· June 23-24 Preview 7:30 pm

· June 25 Opening 7:30 pm

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

· June 18 & 25 Eagle Bluff Ropes Course: Walking across a thin wire 30 feet in the air is an experience like no other. $20 per person ages 10-17; $25 per person ages 18 and up.

· June 22, 9 – 11 am. Old Buzzards Birding Eco Tour: A two-hour introduction to the flora and fauna of the Root River watershed surrounding Lanesboro, MN. $20/person.

Other Outdoor Activities in Lanesboro include:

· June 18-25 Lanesboro Depot Visitor Center & Trailhead Beautification Project Location of the original 19th century Rail Depot. Trailhead Information Center on the Root River State Bike Trail.

· June 18-25 Geocache on the Root River State Bike Trail: Self – Guided Adventure. Pick up your guide at the Lanesboro Depot Visitor Center on the Root River State Bike Trail. FREE.

The Parks & Trails fund of the Legacy Amendment has provided for ongoing rehabilitation of the 60 mile paved Root River State Bike Trail System and trailhead landscaping projects.

Fillmore County History Center and Genealogy Library

——————————————————————

RESOURCES

Everything MCA does is made possible by our passionate and committed members.

JOIN Today on MCA’s secure web site at: mncitizensforthearts.org/join/membership/individual-memberships/

TWITTER: @MnCitizen
FACEBOOK: Search for: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/Mncitizensforthearts
GIVE COOL ARTS ADVOCATE GIFTS from MCA’s store at: www.cafepress.com/mnforthearts
PRIVACY: MCA values your privacy, and will not sell or distribute your personal information to anyone.
ABOUT: MCA is a nonpartisan statewide arts advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access
to and involvement in the arts. MCA organizes the arts community and lobbies the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress on issues pertaining to the nonprofit arts. If you are interested
in learning more about how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

Posted in 2011, Arts Advocacy | No Comments »

arts alert: Take Action Today! Arts Decisions Being Made at Capitol

April 25th, 2011

MCA

April 25, 2011

1. Take Action! Arts Funding Decisions Being Made This Week

2. Bemidji Announces Legacy Weekend to Draw Attention to Legacy Funded Projects

___________________________

There are many hearings at the Capitol this week that could determine how much arts funding is available for the next two years. If you haven’t used our easy website to send your legislators an email yet, now is the time!

Just go here now: http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/issues/alert/?alertid=12568891&type=ST&show_alert=1

What’s Up:

GENERAL FUNDS:

The conference committee that will decide how much regular arts funding (from the General Fund) will start meeting tomorrow. They are reconciling bills that would cut 20% out of the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils. The state’s $5 billion deficit is about 15% of the budget overall. The cut is obviously larger than the
state deficit would require. The belief at the Capitol is that Governor Dayton will veto these bills and ask the Legislature start over. But we can’t count on that. We have a very long road
ahead of us, as the legislature and Governor are still miles apart on how to solve the state’s budget deficit. So we have to take a stand now.

ARTS LEGACY FUNDS:
Both the House and Senate are having hearings this week where they will decide how much of the Arts Legacy funds will go to the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils for grants and services in every corner of the state. We are asking that at least 50% of the Arts Legacy fund be dedicated to the MSAB/RAC system because this system makes sure that arts resources are shared across the state and because that will make sure that the “arts” are funded and not other random things. However, we are facing the spectre of a bunch of proposed earmarks taking up large hunks of Arts Legacy funds, turning a statewide resource via the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regonal
Arts Councils into just a few bricks and morter projects that would benefit only a few people.

So, you can’t be at the Capitol. You can still make a difference! Legislators say if they get just ten letters from constituents on an issue, they know it’s really important. Be one of the ten.

We make it easy for you, just go here:

http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/mn/issues/alert/?alertid=12568891&type=ST&show_alert=1

FYI…KSTP reporting on bills that would divert Arts Legacy funds away from the arts…

Here’s an example of the threats we face: KSTP did a story on all of the bills that have been introduced to divert Arts Legacy resources to unrelated things. You can watch it here: http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1993627.shtml?cat=1. We need to stick together to protect the arts!

_______________________________________________

2. Bemidji Announces Legacy Weekend to Draw Attention to Legacy Funded Projects

Celebrating arts, history and outdoor activities associated with Legacy Amendment Funding

Bemidji community organizations are partnering to showcase the treasure trove of the area’s cultural and recreational activities from April 28-May 1, 2011. While it is not unusual for Bemidji to have an eclectic assortment of events going on, this weekend’s itinerary is designed to increase awareness of visitors to the local impact of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment Funding approved by Minnesota voters in 2008. As one of twelve cities selected, Bemidji is pleased to
highlight the weekend of arts, history and outdoor events and activities representative of the quality and variety of opportunities the community offers though out the year. www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/legacy

The statewide Legacy Destination program was designed and implemented by the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Conservation Minnesota and Explore Minnesota Tourism. “Great things in both the outdoors and the arts are happening in every corner of the state because of the Legacy Amendment” said Sheila Smith, Executive Director of MCA, “and we wanted Minnesotans to know how they can participate.”

Bemidji’s Legacy Destination Weekend is being organized locally through VisitBemidji, the area’s destination marketing organization, in partnership with Region 2 Arts Council, Bemidji
Community Arts Council, the Beltrami History Center, the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, the City of Bemidji, Lake Bemidji State Park and the Paul Bunyan Playhouse.

The weekend features a variety of events hosted by organizations that have received Legacy grants but not limited to said funding. For event details go to www.visitbemidji.com.

· The Paul Bunyan Playhouse, celebrating its 61^st season of professional theater, is hosting a gala fundraising event beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 to kick off the 2011 Summer Theater season. The stage is set bistro-style catered by local restaurants, with a special program presented by Artistic Director, Zach Curtis and fellow performers. Tickets $20 includes food (beverages additional) available at the Box Office or www.paulbunyanplayhouse.com. Reservations are recommended as seating
is limited. This activity funded in part by a Legacy grant from the Region 2 Arts Council.

· In partnership with the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, Nautilus Theater Company from St Paul, presents: “I Am Anne Frank” a music-drama based on the diaries of Anne Frank that combine excerpts from the diaries with songs that reveal her inner life in hiding from the Nazi regime during 1944-46. This heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting story stirs our deepest emotions as it insists upon honoring the endurability of the human spirit. Four performances will be held at the Main Theater of Bemidji State University. Performance times are: 7:30 pm. Thurs – Sat and 3:00 p.m.
Sat. Tickets $10 adults/$5 students available at the door and in advance at two local sources. This activity funded in part by a Legacy grant from the Region 2 Arts Council and the
Minnesota State Arts Board.

· The Beltrami County History Museum, located in the renovated 1912 Great Northern Railroad Depot, houses state-of-the-art exhibits representing the broad diversity of people who lived and continue to live in the area. Currently, the Main Gallery exhibit. ‘Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News’ is a moving exhibition capturing the sights and sounds of early healthcare, while exploring various facets of healing techniques in Beltrami County from traditional Ojibwe healing, concocted home remedies, the tonic fresh air surrounding Lake Julia Sanitorium to early dentistry. The museum also
features the John G. Morrison, Jr., American Indian Collection. Currently on exhibit from the Morrison Collection is Baskets and Beads. The restored Telegrapher Office is complete with logging and
railroad history, Paul Bunyan and Babe “The Blue Ox” and an active scale model railway system. Also for your viewing enjoyment is an archival emporium exhibit, ‘Women Through The Ages’, showcasing the beauty of early wedding dresses. Open M-S 10 am- 4pm.

For hands-on history, a Geocaching Puzzle Trail activity is available at the History Center. Pick up brochure and head out to find historic sites in downtown Bemidji. While a GPS will be helpful to ‘solve the puzzle’, it is not necessary to be successful. A prize is awarded for correct completion of the puzzle. www.beltramihistory.org These activities are funded in part by a Legacy grant from the Minnesota Historical Society.

· The Bemidji Community Art Center, located in the historic Carnegie building, sponsors 8-10 exhibits per year featuring visual artists from around the country, state and region. The current show, High School Invitational, highlights student artists from our area. Gallery and gift shop hours are Tuesday–Friday 12-5 p.m. and extended hours 10-4 on Saturday April 30.
Dr Mark Christensen, poet and non-fiction writer, will read from his work in both genres beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, as part of the Spoken Word Series. Prior to the reading, he will present a writer’s workshop entitled, Creating Nonfiction:
Telling Truths Artfully, which will run from 1-4 p.m. Adults in all stages of writing development interested in improving their non-fiction skills are invited to register. Advance registration of $35 ($20 students) is required and space is limited. www.bcac.wordpress.com These activities are funded in part by a Legacy grant from the Region 2 Arts Council.

· Friday, April 29^th, award-winning guitarist, Tim Sparks, will be on stage at the Historic Chief Theater downtown Bemidji at 7:30 p.m. Tim’s blending of musical styles from traditional country blues to jazz, gospel and classical, has won him extensive praise from all corners of the music world. $12 tickets available in advance at the Historic Chief Theater and Headwaters School of Music & the Arts. Also at the door. www.paulbunyanplayhouse.com These activities are funded
in part by a Legacy grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

· Bemidji City Parks and Recreation Department, as part of the Fit City mission of increasing walkability and outdoor recreational opportunities within the City, has teamed up with Lake Bemidji State Park staff to bring Geocaching activities to the weekend schedule of events. Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which participants use GPS units for a treasure hunting game that is enjoyed by people from all age groups with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. Those new to one of the fastest growing sports in the country, can attend a ‘Geocaching 101’ program offered by
the Lake Bemidji State Park Naturalist at the Tourist Information Center waterfront area, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29 and again on Saturday April 30 at 10:00 a.m. The program will
introduce beginners to GPS units and how they work. The program is open to all ages, with GPS units available for use during the program. For seasoned geocachers, the Bemidji 10 Cache Legacy Weekend Challenge will run from Friday, April 29 – May 1. Ten new ‘signature caches’ from some of the area’s clever geocachers will be placed to lead participants on a trail of recreational adventure around town. Included in the Bemidji 10 are Cache In/Trash Out (CITO) caches and a Breakfast Buddies gathering at The Cabin Coffeehouse at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30. Additional area geocaching opportunities available are: Beltrami History Puzzle Trail, Lake Bemidji State Park Wildlife Safari and Geo-Trekking Trail and over 200
registered caches within a twenty mile radius of Bemidji.

· The average date the ice goes out of Lake Bemidji is April 26. To celebrate this sign of Spring, the Bogs and Logs Chapter of MN Master Naturalists, Lake Bemidji State Park and Headwaters Science Center are joining together to host the annual ‘Ice-Out’ Ice Cream Social. Volunteers gather lake ice as it is going out and use it to freeze various varieties of secret ice cream recipes for all to enjoy. The public is invited to join this celebration of spring and Minnesota’s Clean Water Legacy at the Lake Bemidji Waterfront on April 30 from11:00 am- 1:00 p.m. or
till the ice cream is gone. Take your turn at cranking the ice cream maker. www.dnr.state.mn.us/calendar/app?jsp=/templates/event.jsp&id=22117 Legacy funds have supported increased testing of area lakes, improvements to the Paul Bunyan State Trail, and protection of forests in Beltrami County for use by the public.

· The final event of the weekend is “…. an event not to be missed by anyone who is willing to have his or her life changed forever,” according to Leonard Slatkin, former music director of the National Symphony Orchestra. Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín tells the story of courageous Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp during World War II who performed Verdi’s Requiem Mass while experiencing the depths of human degradation. This multi-media concert drama will be performed at the Bemidji High School Auditorium, May 1 at 3:00 pm, under the direction
of guest Conductor Murry Sidlin. It combines the magnificent music of Verdi with testimony from survivors of the chorus and footage from the original Nazi propaganda film on Theresienstadt.
The performance also includes actors who speak the words of imprisoned conductor Rafael Schaëchter and of other prisoners. With only a smuggled score, they performed the famous oratorio sixteen times, including one performance before Adolph Eichmann and a Red Cross delegation. Conductor Rafael Schaëchter told the choir, “We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say to them.” This is not just another performance of the Verdi Requiem but a tribute to the inspired leadership of Rafael Schaëchter who was forced to reconstitute the choir three times as members were transported to Auschwitz. The performances came to symbolize resistance and defiance; answering the worst of mankind with the best of mankind. The performance is powerful, dramatic, and inspirational, with
a contemporary message of hope. Creator/Conductor Murry Sidlin will be joined by the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, The Bemidji Chorale, the Bemidji State University Chorus along with vocal
soloists Carrie Mineck, Janet Hopkins, Nathan Carlisle, and Michael Mayes, with actors from Theatre B of Fargo. The performance is made possible by a generous gift from the Nielson Foundation, the Region II Arts Council, and in partnership with Minnesota Public Radio. Tickets: $20 adults/$15 seniors and children under 18 free. Pre-sale tickets go on sale April 13^th at Village Foods North and Brigid’s Cross Irish Pub and will be sold at the door. MPR Members receive a $2 discount. www.bemidjisymphony.org. This activity is funded in part by a Legacy grant from the Region 2 Arts Council.

In addition to the Legacy Destination Weekend Events, visitors are encouraged to stroll the downtown Art Walk of outdoor sculptures and murals, browse mini-galleries exhibited in a variety of businesses, and visit the Headwaters Science Center. From state-of-the-art museum exhibits to life-changing musical performances and pristine waterways, visitors will find Bemidji has a relaxed, small town atmosphere with the amenities of the big city.

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how to advocate for the arts, or how to activate people in your arts organization or community to lobby for the arts, please call us at 651-251-0868 or e-mail staff at mncitizensforthearts.org. State arts funding supports access to the arts for all Minnesotans. The state-funded Minnesota State Arts Board and eleven Regional Arts Councils provide grants and services in every Minnesota county for artists, arts organizations, arts projects and school artist residencies. For more information on regional or state grants, go to www.arts.state.mn.us.

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