Artists' Pipeline #47 - April 11, 2005

Springboard for the Arts in Saint Paul has appointed Laura Zabel as its new Executive Director. Ms. Zabel served most recently as Development Manager at COMPAS, a Saint Paul nonprofit arts and arts education organization. She also worked as Program Director for Twin Cities Unified Theatre Auditions, and worked with CLIMB Theatre Company and Stagecoach Theatre. She holds a BA in Theatre from Kansas University and has worked as an actor in the Twin Cities at Theatre in the Round, the Brave New Workshop and Park Square Theatre.

"We are thrilled that Laura is serving as our new Executive Director,” said Katey Leitch, Springboard for the Arts Board President. “We had an extremely qualified applicant pool from which to choose but Laura's energy, passion for the arts and her strong fundraising experience made her a perfect match for our organization’s needs as we expand our services into the Upper Midwest Region," she added.

For more than 20 years, Springboard for the Arts has been providing affordable business and management training to artists and their organizations. It is committed to supporting a vibrant arts culture in every community. Originally, Resources and Counseling for the Arts was led by Barbara Davis, with a name change coming under Joan Wells. Tammy Hauser has served as interim director. For more information: Springboard for the Arts (www.springboardforthearts.org).

Small and mid-sized arts and cultural organizations based in Saint Paul are invited to attend a two-hour hands-on Cultural STAR grant writing training on Tuesday, April 12. Nonprofit arts organizations from neighborhoods and communities of color are particularly encouraged to attend. Limited to 35 participants. For more information or to register, contact Gayle Ober, Director of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, City of Saint Paul, 651-266-8524.

The Center for Independent Artists has hired Hend Al-Mansour as a part-time Associate Director. Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Hend is an installation artist. Her work is about her identity as a contemporary Muslim woman. Her media are fabrics and textiles, Arabian women clothes, commodities and cosmetics, henna silk screen-printing and Arabic calligraphy. In addition to showing her own artwork and doing collaborative and commissioned work, she organizes and curates group shows for Muslim and Arab artists. Hend has an MFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The C4IA will re-open the job search to replace Artistic and Managing Director Zaraawar Mistry in the spring. For more information: 612-724-8392 or Center for Independent Artists (www.c4ia.org).

The Varsity Theater, a Dinkytown landmark, was built around 1915 as a vaudeville showplace, converted to a movie theater in the 1930s and then gutted and the floor leveled for a photography studio in the 1990s. Now, the University-area theater has been taken under the wing of Jason McLean, who owns the Loring Pasta Bar and operates the Kitty Cat Klub. His renovations included adding a bar and café. After a low-key reopening in January, the programming schedule is gaining steam. (Edited from the Seward Profile)

Patrick Scully is seeking proposals from artists who would like to co-present performances at the Varsity. If you have an idea for a performance, would like to check out the space to start to imagine how, and with what, you could fill it, or want to begin the straightforward application process, contact patrick@varsitytheater.org.

There's a new arts and cultural center in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood of Saint Paul. A 1922 theatre, used as warehouse from 1967 to 2001, was donated by George Hardenbergh to The Portage for Youth to help address unmet needs of youth and families on St. Paul's East Side. A STAR grant through the City of St. Paul and additional donations resulted in extensive restoration paying tribute to the theatre's original Art Deco style.

Today the commitment of the Mounds Theatre Company, Inc. is to the cultural enrichment of Saint Paul's ethnically and economically diverse East Side neighborhoods. Believing that performing arts should engage, challenge, stimulate, inspire, educate, reflect, empower and nourish artists, audiences and communities, the Mounds Theatre works as a catalyst and magnet for arts and culture to: (1) Develop new programs and partnerships which create opportunities for youth to actively participate in drama, music, dance, cinema, multimedia and other arts and cultural activities; (2) Increase access to arts for East Side residents by attracting affordable dramatic, musical, dance, cinematic and other arts and cultural performances to the Mounds Theatre facility; and (3) Offer facilities and programming support to artists and performers.

Artistic Director is Jefferson Fietek. Executive director is Raeann Ruth.

The closing production of the resident theatre's inaugural 2004-5 season: "Ruthless! The Musical," April 1-17; tickets $15, $10 seniors 55+ & students.

Variety in the Cities, the second Saturday of each month, involves magicians, jugglers, mimes, clowns, mentalists. The April 9 event at 2:00 is produced by WildeTheater Productions (http://wildetheater.com).

Joybubbles, a blind storyteller from Minneapolis, will present "The World According to Joybubbles" on Wednesday April 27, at 7:00 PM.

A Kinetic Kitchen dance performance at 8:00 PM on Saturday, May 5 will feature the choreography of April Sellers, John Munger's Third Rabbit Dance Ensemble and Keane Sense of Rhythm Tap Co., and film footage presented by film historian Bob Deflores. Tix are $10.

For more information: Mounds Theatre, 1029 Hudson Road, Saint Paul; 651-772-2253, Mounds Theatre (www.moundstheatre.org).

Philip Brunelle, founder of the Plymouth Music Series (now VocalEssence) in 1969, will be honored by the Anderson Center on Friday, April 29. The A.P. Anderson Award recognizes significant contributions to the cultural and artistic life of Minnesota. Past recipients are authors Betsy Bowen, Patricia Hampl, Robert Bly, William Duff, sculptor Siah Armajani, composer Libby Larsen and stage director Joe Dowling. Brunelle has led his organization in exploring the interaction of voices through innovative programming. His conducting engagements have taken him across the United States, South America and Europe. For more information: 651-388-2009 or Anderson Center (www.andersoncenter.org).

The Sister Kenny International Art Show opening reception will be Thursday, April 21 on the second floor of Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E. 28th St., Minneapolis. The show and sale will be on through May 18. For more information: 612-863-4466 or Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (www.allina.com/ahs/ski.nsf).

The Saint Paul Art Crawl is April 22-23. For more information: 651-292-4373 or Saint Paul Art Crawl (www.stpaul-artcrawl.org).

Rising Stars is a half-hour film made by students at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind. Directed by Media Mike Hazard with support from Young Audiences and VSA arts of Minnesota, this film recently played at the Fargo Film Festival. It plays in Saint Paul on cable channel 16 on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM and Saturdays at 4:30 PM throughout the month of April. In Minneapolis, Rising Stars plays at these times on the following cable channels:
MTN 17 - Saturday, April 9 at 8:00 PM;
MTN 17 - Sunday, April 17at 8:30 PM;
MTN 16 - Thursday, April 21 at 9:30 PM;
MTN 17 - Friday, April 30 at 8:30 PM;
For more information, go to The Center for International Education(http://www.thecie.org).

The Metropolitan Council approved a plan last week to significantly cut Metro Mobility’s service area and increase fares to address a $60 million deficit being faced by Metro Transit and Metro Mobility. These cuts completely eliminate service to a number of outer suburbs of the Twin Cities. For example, going from Minneapolis to Plymouth on Metro Mobility would not be an option. Fare adjustments would apply to all transit services, including opt-outs such as Maple Grove Transit, MVTA, Plymouth MetroLink and SouthWest Metro. It would also apply to Northstar Commuter Coach Route 888.

The Council is also seeking a fare increase from $2.25 (off-peak) to $2.50 and from $3.00 (peak) to $3.50, effective July 1, 2005. The last fare increase went into effect in 2003.

You can contact your Senator and Representative on this or other issues with letters, emails or calls. For information on how to contact your legislator, go to Minnesota State Legislature (www.leg.state.mn.us).

The Metropolitan Council will sponsor seven public hearings between April 12 and 20. People attending may register in advance to speak by calling the Metropolitan Council Data Center at 651-602-1140 or 651-291-0904 (TTY). Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided to persons with disabilities. For more info, go to Metropolitan Council (www.metrocouncil.org).

West Metro - Tuesday, April 12 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Main Street, Hopkins
Served by Routes 12, 612, 614, 664 express
Saint Paul - Wednesday, April 13 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Council Chambers, 230 East 5th Street, downtown
Served by Routes 21, 53, 54, 61, 63, 64, 65, 70, 74
Minneapolis - Thursday, April 14 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Metro Transit – Heywood Chambers, 560 Sixth Avenue N., downtown
Served by Routes 5, 19, 24
Minneapolis - Monday, April 18 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Minneapolis City Hall – Room 220, 350 South Fifth Street, downtown
East Metro - Monday, April 18 – 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Avenue
Served by Routes 64, 80
North Metro - Tuesday, April 19 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Fridley Community Center – Media Room #109, 6085 Seventh Street NE
Served by Route 10
South Metro - Wednesday, April 20 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Burnsville City Hall – Lower Level Community Room, 100 Civic Center Parkway.
Served by Routes 425, 465

Concordia University in Saint Paul will host DeafNation Expo on Saturday, April 16. The event, cosponsored by the Minnesota Association of the Deaf Citizen (MADC), offers FREE Admission from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gangelhoff Arena, 275 Syndicate Street N. The event includes free exhibitions, entertainment, seminars, film & video shows and children's activities. The 2004 DeafNation in Minneapolis drew over 2,100 people. Anyone wishing to exhibit at the event should contact Curt Slater. For more information: DeafNation (www.deafnation.com).

Alec Sweazy and Minnesota Brass – Benefit for V S A arts of Minnesota – April 23

Alec Sweazy, a pianist and accordionist from Minnetonka, will kick off the 2005 Spring Showcase by the Minnesota Brass, Inc. and other prominent local drum and bugle corps on Saturday, April 23 in Saint Paul. For the second year in a row, a portion of the proceeds from the concert will go to support the programs of VSA arts of Minnesota. Alec, who has William's Syndrome, performed at VSA arts of Minnesota's Cabaret & Silent Auction in September. He recently graduated from Music Tech in St. Paul and was featured on the March 29 "Disabled and Proud" program on KFAI-FM.

The concert is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Highland Park High School, 1015 Snelling Avenue South. Emcees are Minnesota Public Radio's Lynne Warfel-Holt and KARE-11's Allan Costantini. For more information: Minnesota Brass Inc. (www.mnbrassinc.org).

The World According to Joybubbles – April 27

Joybubbles, a blind storyteller from Minneapolis, will present "The World According to Joybubbles" on Wednesday April 27, at 7:00 p.m. at Mounds Theatre, 1029 Hudson Road, Saint Paul. For more information: 651-772-2253 or 612-871-5555 or Mounds Theatre (www.moundstheatre.org).

John Lee Clark essay to be published in Poetry Magazine, read at Saint Kate's

The May 2005 issue of Poetry magazine will carry an essay by John Lee Clark of Saint Paul on the history of deaf poets and their subversion of the "sound" theory of poetry. Written after completing his research on deaf poets, the piece is part one of a two-part introduction to an anthology of work by deaf poets. He says, "Part of the essay explores neglect, which I think all disabled groups can relate to." The magazine published one of Clark's poems last year. For more information: Poetry Magazine (www.PoetryMagazine.com).

Clark will participate in an American Sign Language (ASL) poetry reading on Tuesday, May 10 in Saint Paul. Deaf poet Cara Barnett will perform and Clark will give a talk based on his essay about the history and contributions of Deaf poets. The free event, hosted by Anna Saindon, is co-sponsored by SASE: The Write Place (www.saseonline.org). The 7:30 pm reading will be at the College of Saint Catherine in Whitby Hall, Room 120 B, 2004 Randolph Avenue.

Hook Bops from Michael Deutsch

Michael Deutsch, jazz and blues pianist from Minneapolis, has a CD available with sound clips you can hear on his website. Look for Hook Bops at Michael "The Hook" Deutsch (www.michaelthehookdeutsch.com). Michael, who plays piano weekly at the Malt Shop on 50th & Bryant, says the old upright piano there really needs replacement. Any offers?

The annual Minnesota Craft Council Fall Show will be held October 8-9 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Fine Arts Center and Progress Center in St. Paul. The fall show offers a wide range of contemporary and traditional work including wearable art, decorative arts, jewelry, clay in functional and non-functional designs, glass, wood (both in furniture and turned decorative styles). Applications, due May 2 (postmark deadline), are available on its website at Minnesota Craft Council (www.mncraft.org). If you do not have Internet access, call the MCC office at 612-333-7789 or 888-805-1068 and an application can be mailed or faxed to you.

All Outsider, self-taught and folk artists and all artists with physical disabilities and/or mental illness are invited to submit works for a national juried exhibit called "Take Me to the River." Interact Center for the Visual & Performing Arts and its Inside Out Gallery will host the exhibit July 8 through August 12. Gallery Director Jennifer Schultz invites artists whose work is authentic and original to submit drawing, painting, prints, photography, sculpture and ceramics. (No installation or new media. Sculpture limited in size to works under 72” x 30” x 30”; 2-D work limited in size to 60” x 60”.)

The juror will be Robert Lowery, photographer and owner of Lowery Art Gallery and Sculpture Park in Danielsville, GA (www.lowerygallery.com). A $500 Juror's Award will be presented at the opening reception on Friday, July 8 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 6, at 4 pm. Entry Fee is $10 payable by check or money order to Interact Center. For a Prospectus/Entry Form, contact: Interact Center, Attn: JURIED SHOW, 212 Third Avenue N., Suite 140, Minneapolis MN 55401, OR email: Jennifer@interactcenter.com; Fax: 612-339-7762, or call: 612-339-5145 x13.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is conducting a photography contest on the topic "Images of Health and Disability 2005: Employment and Labor." Deadline for entering this free contest is April16. For more information on the rules, email ICFphotocontest@who.int or go to WHO | International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (www.who.int./classifications/icf). Color or black and white digital images or prints may be submitted as well as digital art photographs (images created or drastically manipulated by computer software or electronic filters).

Springboard for the Arts has announced the following workshops, meetings and grant deadlines. For more information, to get mailings, or to register, call 651-292-4381, go to Springboard for the Arts (www.springboardforthearts.org), or write to 308 Prince Street, #270, Saint Paul, MN 55101-1437.

April 14 - Springboard Artist Loan Fund Informational Meeting:
The Artist Loan Fund is a community-based, revolving loan program created to respond to a broad range of artists needs, i.e.: purchasing equipment, completing a project, taking advantage of an opportunity. Loans of $1000 to $5000 are available on a rolling basis, but you must attend a FREE informational meeting before initiating the process. Pre-register at 651-292-4381.
Thursday, April 14, 5:00 pm at West Bank School of Music, Minneapolis. Free.

April 19 - Audience Building, sponsored by ArtReach Alliance:
Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at ArtReach Alliance, Historic Courthouse, Stillwater. $40 (discount for ArtReach Alliance members)

April 26 - What Can Quickbooks Do For You?
A general overview of how QuickBooks financial software can help you track income and expenses by project, collect and pay sales tax, provide 1099s or W-2s to workers, depreciate equipment, reconcile your bank accounts, generate invoices, and more. Tuesday, April 26, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at Springboard. $40.

April 30 - Starting an Arts Business:
Sponsored by: Hamline University Small Business/Nonprofit Clinic Arts entrepreneurs who want to know where to start when they get serious will hear Cathy Deal explain different legal ownership structures for your start-up, steps in becoming a sole proprietor, other legal issues related to running an arts business, and answer specific questions. Saturday, April 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hamline University, Saint Paul. $40.

May 3 - Springboard Artist Loan Fund Informational Meeting:
Tuesday, May 3, 4:00 pm at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, Fridley. Free.

May 18 - Opportunities in Arts Administration:
Wednesday, May 18, 3:00-5:00 pm at Springboard offices. $40.

June 6 - Springboard Artist Loan Fund Informational Meeting:
Monday, June 6, 6:00 pm at Hennepin Center for the Arts, 528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis. Free.

The 2005-2006 McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships recognize theater artists other than playwrights whose work demonstrates exceptional artistic merit and potential, and whose primary residence is in Minnesota. Intended to significantly advance recipients' art and careers, the grants are based on a commitment to theater arts, evidence of professional achievements, and a sustained level of excellence in the applicant's work. Funded by the McKnight Foundation, the process is coordinataed by the Playwrights' Center. Application deadline is Friday, April 15, 2005. Call 612-332-7481 extension 10 or go to The Playwrights' Center - Fellowships (http://www.pwcenter.org/fellowships.asp).

Cornucopia Art Center in Lanesboro invites artists to apply for its Residency Program. Two-week and four-week residencies are offered to emerging artists to create new work and to interact with the community. Artists from all disciplines are encouraged to apply, though primary consideration will be given to emerging sculptors, painters, poets, and writers, with at least one residency each year focused on public art. Applicant artists must reside in the U.S. The next term of residencies is from October 2005 through 2006, with stipends of up to $2500 to create work and to do 8-12 hours of community outreach in the Root River area of southeastern Minnesota. Housing and work spaces for artists are secured as needed to suit their project, so space for artists with disabilities can be obtained.

Application deadline is June 15. Two Project Development Workshops will provide information about the program and tips on creating a strong application. Artists do not need to attend a workshop to apply for a residency. These are Monday, April 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Jerome Foundation, 125 Park Square Court, 400 Sibley Street, St. Paul, MN 55101; and Thursday, May 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Southeast Minnesota Arts Council, 1610 14th St NW, Suite 206, Rochester, MN 55901.

To register or For more information: call Cornucopia at 507-467-2446, email executive@lanesboroarts.org, visit Cornucopia Art Center - Lanesboro, Minnesota (www.lanesboroarts.org) or write 103 Parkway Avenue N., Lanesboro, MN 55949.

Mizna, a forum for Arab American arts and cultural expression, is looking for proposals from community members who are interested in teaching classes or workshops that center on the humanities, arts, literature, language, music, dance, and other cultural work. Classes will run for 6 weeks beginning in September. The weekly classes would be one to two hours long. Instructors are responsible for developing the curriculum and finding appropriate classroom materials, if needed. Mizna provides space to meet. All instructors are paid. Proposals due by June 1. For more details in submitting a class proposal, email Mizna@Mizna.org. For more information: Mizna: Prose, Poetry, and Art Exploring Arab America (www.mizna.org).

The Minnesota State Arts Board will host an exhibit on The Art of Recovery April 11-May 31, 2005. Cosponsored by the Minnesota Department of Safety Office of Justice Programs (OJP), the exhibit will commemorate National Crime Victim Rights Week, April 10-16, and be part of the spring Saint Paul Art Crawl on April 22 -23.

The Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center is exhibiting A Woman’s Perspective on Heritage through April 30. More than 100 works in various media explore heritage of the self, one’s country, the past, and the present.

Opening April 15 and running through June 20 is the exhibit Discovering the Rivers of Lewis & Clark. Participants will interact with the explorers' adventures, learn about the rich river life they experienced and the ways in which those rivers have changed today. It includes spectacular photographs & art reproductions, two interactive computer terminals, a mini-theatre featuring History Channel footage, a replica keelboat to play on, and more.

The HHIC is located at 202 First Avenue N., Moorhead. For more information: Dean Sather at 218-299-5511 ext. 226 or Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center (www.hjemkomst-center.com).

ABC-TV is broadcasting a new weekly program called "Blind Justice" that features a New York detective who is blind and uses a guidedog. The Blind Justice page at the ABC website (http://abc.go.com/primetime/blindjustice/index.html) has the following information: "Broadcast with video description for the visually impaired. Video description offers a descriptive narrative woven into the soundtrack between character dialogue. It is activated via the SAP (Secondary Audio Programming) feature on modern televisions." The audio description is provided by We See TV. The show runs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Central.

If you know someone with vision or hearing loss who would love to enjoy a performance of theatre, dance, music, poetry or film, VSA arts of Minnesota can help. We publicize "accessible" arts performances and public events. Deaf patrons can use American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to understand the language. Patrons who are blind or of low vision can use Audio Describers who give them the visual elements of the production. Patrons who are hard of hearing can use Captioning to understand the words better (although very few places in Minnesota yet offer this service). You can request these services. If you have questions or would like current listings sent to you, a friend newsletter or social group, contact VSA arts of Minnesota's Access to Theatre Project at 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, voice/TTY; email Jon Skaalen.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre is looking for people to manage sections of their May Day parade (Sunday, May 1). This is a paid position. If interested, contact Pablo at spiderbone@mac.com.

Cornucopia Art Center seeks a BFA student with experience in graphic design and layout to serve as its "in-house designer." The position would work on a project basis averaging 20-30 hours per month from September 2005 through April 2006. The successful intern would only need to make occasional trips to Cornucopia, working primarily from home or studio and communicating electronically with Cornucopia staff. This opportunity can be tailored to credit requirements by adjusting hours or scope of work.

Sample projects include layout of quarterly organization newsletter, including pre-production and press check; design of special letterhead/invitations/envelopes for fundraising appeals & events, in-house signage for exhibitions, classes & membership development, and promotional postcards; and updates to brochures, ads and other print materials from existing templates.

It requires experience using Quark Express, Adobe Photoshop and regular access to these programs, ability to produce print-ready electronic files, self-motivation, ability to work independently within proscribed parameters, ability to meet deadlines and professional communication abilities. The internship is unpaid, but expenses and mileage will be reimbursed.

To apply, send letter of interest, resume and work samples to C. Michael-jon Pease, Executive Director, Cornucopia Art Center, PO Box 152, Lanesboro, MN 55949 or executive@lanesboroarts.org. For more information: Cornucopia Art Center - Lanesboro, Minnesota (www.lanesboroarts.org).

VSA arts in Washington, D.C. seeks a Program Development Coordinator who plans, coordinates and implements education services that foster understanding of cultural and individual diversity and build capacity to create inclusive learning environments and programs. A complete description is available from VSA arts (or VSA arts of Minnesota). Essential qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in education, teaching experience preferred, international or cross-cultural experience, fluency in Spanish, knowledge of fundraising and grant writing, excellent communication and computer skills. Salary: $35,924. Submit a resume, cover letter and salary history to VSA arts, HR/Announcements, 1300 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 700, Washington DC 20036; or email; hr@vsarts.org. Minorities and people with disabilities encouraged to apply. Resumes sent by email must be in text, RTF, PDF or MS Word.