Recent SEMAC Grant Awards

On March 19, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded 46 grants for a total of $183,305 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included twenty-three McKnight Individual Artist Grants for $99,305, nineteen General Operating Support Grants to arts organizations for $76,000, and four Artists in Education Grants for $8,000.

Grants were awarded to each of the following individuals and organizations, listed by county:

Fillmore County

Courtney Bergey received a $2,500 McKnight Emerging Artist grant for Of the Earth.
Columcille Driscoll received a $2,500 McKnight Emerging Artist grant for Painting Plays.
Nancy Huisenga received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Breakfast at the Habberstad House.
Barbara Keith received a $4,950 McKnight Established Artist grant for Glass Enamels into Mosaics.
Jon Laging received a $4,910 McKnight Established Artist grant for Jacob said and then Sarah said.
Slim Maroushek received a $4,975 McKnight Established Artist grant for to Wood Carve 5′ Austrian Bass Fiddle Player.
Fillmore Central Schools received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Big Band Bash Artist in Residence 2013.
Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for administrative operations.

Freeborn County

Teresa Kauffmann received a $2,500 McKnight Emerging Artist grant for Light Painting.
Albert Lea Art Center received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for provide visual arts opportunities.
Albert Lea Community Theatre received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for support new management of the theatre building.

Goodhue County

Lauren Pelon received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Earth Tones.
Cannon Falls High School received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Brass Day with the Copper Street Brass Quintet.
Red Dragonfly Press received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for launch two new publication series.

Houston County

Sara Lubinski received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for River Sojourn: A Painter’s Portfolio of the Mississippi River Blufflands.
Bluff Country Artist’s Gallery received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for rental of gallery space.

Mower County

Keith Cich received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Reexamining the Dakota Conflict.
Austin Symphony Orchestra received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for pay a portion of the business coordinator’s salary.

Olmsted County

Bernadine Jax received a $2,500 McKnight Emerging Artist grant for Use of Mandala as Art Form for Healing Mind Body & Spirit.
Katie Hae Leo received a $4,530 McKnight Established Artist grant for Travel and Writing Support.
Claire Targonski received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Memorial Portraits.
Children’s Dance Theatre received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for administrative staff costs.
Northland Words received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for hire an administrative assistant.
Rochester Arts Council received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for standard administrative costs.
Rochester Chamber Music Society received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for salary and administrative expenses.
Rochester Dance Company received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for artistic staff teaching costs and rental fees.
Rochester Male Chorus received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for compensation of executive director.
Rochester Repertory Theatre received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for salaries for part-time staff and honoraria for artistic staff.
Sing Out Loud received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for support two community youth choirs.
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for conductors and sectional coaches.

Rice County

Kathleen Miller received a $4,980 McKnight Established Artist grant for Visual Explorations – A Voyage of Discovery.
Jorge Ponticus received a $4,960 McKnight Established Artist grant for Life and Work of Local Farmers.
Leanne Stremcha received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for New Body of Contemporary Jewelry.
Lockwood Theatre Company received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for royalties, rent, publicity and stipends.
Northfield Youth Choirs received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for expansion of collaborations with area ensembles.

Steele County

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Elementary School received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Brass Day with the Copper Street Brass Quintet.
Scott Roberts received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Children’s book made by photographing clay figurines; written, developed and photographed by me.
Christina Spencer received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Creatively Nesting.

Wabasha County

Lake City Music Boosters received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant to hire a color guard instructor, marching band festival and jazz festivals.

Winona County

Michael Larson received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Thirty Streams in Ninety Days.
Bernadette Mahfood received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Pollinators in Glass.
Alma Onate Palomino received a $2,500 McKnight Emerging Artist grant for Traditional Mexican Crochet.
Jamie Schell received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Krenovian Exploration, the Art of Making Fine Furniture.
Cha Neng Vang received a $2,500 McKnight Emerging Artist grant for Traditional Hmong Knives.
Frozen River Film Festival received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for administrative support to include attending Telluride Mountainfilm.
Winona Public Schools received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Shakespeare in the Schools.

On November 20, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded 45 grants for a total of $261,581 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included 24 Arts & Cultural Heritage Grants for $204,981, six Small Towns/Rural Areas Grants for $16,100, and fifteen Presenter/Production Assistance Grants for $44,500.

Grants were awarded to each of the following organizations, listed by county:

Dodge County

Dodge County Historical Society received a $3,285 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Production of “A Mother’s Story” at Wasioja Civil War Days.
Mantorville Art Guild received a $3,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Supplemental Operating Funds for the Art Guild.

Fillmore County

Chatfield Brass Band received a $3,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Music in the Park Summer Concert Series.
Commonweal Theatre Company received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Commonweal Theatre’s Ibsen Tour.
Dreamery Rural Arts Initiative received a $2,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Flourish Summer Camp in Arts and Agriculture.
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center received a $9,750 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for 2013 Stringwood Music Festival.
Lanesboro Art Center received a $8,950 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Lanesboro Artist Residency Project.
Lanesboro Barn Dance received a $2,100 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Four Old Time Barn Dances.
Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association received a $3,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for May 2013 Bluegrass Festival.

Goodhue County

Red Wing Singers received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Combined Concert featuring a Bluegrass Mass.
Sheldon Memorial Theatre received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Sheldon School of the Performing Arts 2013 Sessions.

Mower County

Austin Area Commission for the Arts received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for The Fabulous Armadillos at Historic Paramount Theatre.
Austin Symphony Orchestra received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for 56th Season: A Musical Potpourri.
Matchbox Children’s Theatre received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for MCT Production of “Rapunzel and the Witch”.

Olmsted County

Children’s Dance Theatre received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” – CDT Theatrical Dance Production.
Diversity Council received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity.
Hambone Music Festival received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for 2013 Hambone Music Festival.
Northland Words received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for 2013 Annual Jr. Troupe and Shakespeare Productions.
Rochester Aria Group received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for 3-concert season of classical vocal music.
Rochester Art Center received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Adolescence Through the Lens.
Rochester Arts Council received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for ARTigras V.
Rochester Chamber Music Society received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Four Concerts Presented by Rochester Chamber Music Society.
Rochester Dance Company received a $7,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for The Nutcracker: A Tradition for All.
Rochester International Film Group received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for 18th Annual Rochester International Film Festival.
Rochester Music Guild received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for John Marcus Bindel and Jonathan Burton present a Wagner Lecture Recital.
Rochester Repertory Theatre received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Production of Yasmina Reza’s tragi-comedy “God of Carnage”.
Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Symphonic Interactive Media Art.
Ronald McDonald House of Rochester Minnesota received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Hand in Hand – Heartists Helping Children.
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for SEMYO Concerto Competition and Spring Concert.

Rice County

Boys of America Brass Band received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Ameriikan Poijat Brass Band Community Performances.
Bridge Chamber Music Festival received a $9,900 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Chamber Music, Jazz Concerts and Community Outreach.
Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for CVRO Presents Concerts in Southeastern Minnesota.
City of Northfield Arts & Culture Commission received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Northfield Sidewalk Public Poetry Project 2013.
Laura Baker Services received a $4,905 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Bridging with Taiko.
Northfield Public Schools received a $6,635 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Northfield Young Sculptors Project.
Northfield Senior Citizens received a $4,096 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Enhancing Arts Programs: Senior Women’s Chorus and NSC Gallery.
Vintage Band Festival received a $5,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Road to the VBF Pre-Festival Programs.

Steele County

The Merlin Players received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for “Footloose – The Musical”.
Owatonna Arts Center received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for 21st Annual Owatonna Festival of the Arts.

Winona County

Bluff Country Studio Art Tour received a $3,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for 2013 Bluff Country Studio Art Tour.
Frozen River Film Festival received a $10,000 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for 2013 Frozen River Film Festival.
Great River Shakespeare Festival received a $8,605 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for 2013 Concerts on the Green Series.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum received a $6,855 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for Youth Art Month Programming with the MMAM.
Theatre du Mississippi received a $2,500 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Production of “Angels in the Trees: Rockwell Kent in Winona”.
Winona Symphony Orchestra received a $3,000 Presenter/Production Assistance grant for Winona Symphony Orchestra’s Concert on May 5, 2013.

On August 21, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded 28 grants for a total of $110,025 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included sixteen McKnight Individual Artist Grants for $74.585, seven General Operating Support Grants to arts organizations for $25,440, and five Artists in Education Grants for $10,000. Grants were awarded to each of the following individuals and organizations, listed by county:

Fillmore County

Robbie Brokken received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Wearable Adornment from Keepsake Jewelry.
Paul Brokken received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Body of Work Inspired by the Caves of Smoo.

Goodhue County

Emily Urness received a $4,975 McKnight Established Artist grant for Born Again Teenager Book Proposal.
Red Wing Arts Association received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for Umbrellas of Red Wing event.
Sheldon Theatre Brass Band received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for artistic expenses for 2012-2013.
Zumbrota Area Arts Council received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for support ZAAC programming 2013.

Mower County

Austin Area Commission for the Arts received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for administrative/payroll support.

Olmsted County

Ivete de Castro received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Temperature of Colors Defines Vibrancy in Painting.
Angela Krueger received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Tile Making Technique Development Indoor/Outdoor Installation.
Dani Jordan received a $2,400 McKnight Emerging Artist grant to create a mural at Rochester Community and Technical College.
HeeJune Shin received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Landscape: Light in the Moment.
Century High School received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for John Paulson Jazz Group Concert & Clinic.
Rochester Repertory Theatre received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for salaries for part-time staff and honoraria for directors.
Southeastern Minnesota Suzuki Association received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for operating funds for 2012-2013.

Rice County

Cindy Brant received a $2,500 McKnight Emerging Artist grant for Reflections.
Thomas Frank received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for A New Computer for an Aging Gepetto.
Cindi Gordon received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Gates of Tradition.
Sue Hammes-Knopf received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant to Create an Individual Artist Web Site.
Chris Holmquist received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Ceramic and Digital Combine for Success.
Matt Wehling received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Minnesota violin bow maker to travel to France.
Cannon Valley Youth Orchestra received a $1,440 General Operating Support grant for a conductor mentorship program.
Minnesota Academy for the Blind received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Mixed Media Collage & Minnesota Percussion Trio.

Steele County

Michael Grenier received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Natura.
Wilson Elementary School received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Six Arts of the Maya.

Winona County

Emilio DeGrazia received a $4,710 McKnight Established Artist grant for Soundings, and the Graveyard of the Nuns.
Ken McCullough received a $5,000 McKnight Established Artist grant for Farming the Ridge.
Hiawatha Valley Education District received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Young Writers Conference.
Winona Senior High School received a $2,000 Artists in Education grant for Hard Cover Book Residency.

For a complete guide to grant eligibility and the application process, please download the PDF.