Congressional District: 5

eMartin Dance will bring three professional Cambodian dance artists to Minnesota to foster connections across cultures and international communities through dance. While in MN they will engage in community workshops and perform at the 2024 Minnesota International Dance Festival produced by Dance Projects by ME.

The Point Theater, a youth theater for students between the ages of 4 and 18, plans to collaborate with a professional black set designer for two main stage shows, with set construction by Marian University theater students. This project provides practical experience for the college students and includes a workshop where the designer discusses his creative process with the youth actors.

Disability artist and activist Gaelynn Lea will present public performances of her original songs, performing alongside Twin Cities storyteller and poet Kevin Kling, in a program that celebrates the wisdom and wit inherent in Disability Culture. Gaelynn also will conduct a professional development workshop session for the Disabled artists from the Interact Center for Performing Arts .

Funding supports the artist fees associated with the Oct 2024 concert and events featuring piano soloist Henry Kramer and composer Jennifer Higdon. Pulitzer Prize and three-time Grammy-winning composer Higdon will lead a discussion of her work. The concert week also includes a young professionals networking event, open rehearsal, masterclass, pre-concert talk, and artists meet-and-mingle event.

Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts will host visiting artist Cedric Mitchell. Mitchell will present on his work & artistic practice (free to the public), teach a workshop for underserved youth, and have a multi-day residency in our glass arts studio. This visit will kick off our 2025 visiting artist programming.

Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) will host workshops with visiting Danish blacksmith, Lars Mørch, in September 2024, focused on traditional blacksmithing techniques and knife-making. Workshops are open to beginners and experienced blacksmiths. Motivated by his passion to share his years of knowledge and skills, Lars will also lead a demonstration of forge-welding techniques, open to all.

Free, accessible, and culturally enhancing concert open to all with performing artist question & answer meet and greet to follow.

APG Audio Visual Mentoring and The Buzz Cafe and Marketplace partner together to create a monthly platform for local, regional and national artists to perform.

Collaborating with DeKalb Co. Public Library, GA Center for the Book, and a diverse network of community partners, 7 Stages will organize and promote a series of literary and artistic outreach events inspired by Charles Yu’s Interior Chinatown. An estimated 2,000 community members in metro Atlanta will participate in the shared reading and artistic response experience from 10/2024 - 5/2025.

In 2025, the Kansas City Public Library will proudly host its 8th Big Read, featuring the memoir "Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body" by local author Rebekah Taussig. Our 6-week event will encompass city-wide book clubs, workshops, and author events, focusing on Taussig's book and addressing issues related to disability rights and awareness within our community.