FY 2007 Grantees

American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius

American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius is a new, major initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts. The intended outcome is to give audiences throughout the nation opportunities to experience a wide range of art forms and activities that represent the best of our American cultural and artistic legacy.

The NEA is providing funds to the Minnesota State Arts Board to accomplish the program goals on a statewide basis.

Number of grants: 7
Total dollars granted: $69,770

Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, Rochester
Grant amount: $9,770
Project description: Choral Arts Ensemble will present a series of lectures throughout southeast Minnesota between January and March of 2007 focusing on important American choral works and composers from the last three centuries. The project will include a performance of "American Masterpieces" in Rochester as well as an additional performance in the rural community of Pine Island. The project will culminate with a recording of the performed masterpieces to be distributed free of charge to all area high schools that hosted one of the lectures; remaining CDs will be sold.
Project dates: September 1, 2006 - May 12, 2007

A Center for the Arts, Fergus Falls
Grant amount: $10,000
Project description: A Center for the Arts will produce "Songs from the Tall Grass," a musical theater production by Randy Hale, first produced at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC. The show will run in Fergus Falls for the month of August, and then tour to at least three school districts (with the intention of busing in students from around the region as well). "Songs from the Tall Grass" also will be presented at Threshermen's Festivals at the end of August and beginning of September.
Project dates: June 1, 2007 - July 30, 2007

Penumbra Theatre Company, Saint Paul
Grant amount: $10,000
Project description: Penumbra Theatre Company will open its thirtieth anniversary season with "Ain't Misbehavin'," the Fats Waller musical show, conceived and originally directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. Patdro Harris will direct the production, with musical direction by Sanford Moore. The show will run September 28 - October 22 (26 performances). In connection with the production, Target will sponsor a FREE Tuesday night performance for the community. Penumbra will also offer study guides, talkbacks, student matinees, and a university symposium.
Project dates: September 1, 2006 - October 22, 2006

Rochester Art Center, Rochester
Grant amount: $10,000
Project description: The Rochester Art Center will organize a major new exhibition titled, "Warren MacKenzie: The Legacy of an American Potter," that traces the artist's career as one of the central figures in the Studio Pottery Movement since the mid-twentieth century. This major retrospective will present over 200 of MacKenzie's works that span the period from 1948 to 2005 and will be accompanied by a new 200-page catalogue. "The Legacy of an American Potter" will open in the Art Center's 5,000 square-foot main gallery in May 2007 and is expected to tour to at least three additional museums in the United States.
Project dates: January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007

Saint John's Boys' Choir, Collegeville
Grant amount: $10,000
Project description: The Saint John's Boys' Choir will perform the world premiere of the opera "The Star Gatherer" composed for boys choir by Minnesota composer Stephen Paulus, and songwriter and lyricist Gene Scheer of New York. The opera will be performed October 20 - 21, 2006, at Saint John's University auditorium; and at other locations throughout the season.
Project dates: September 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007

VocalEssence, Minneapolis
Grant amount: $10,000
Project description: VocalEssence will conduct a three-day tour to Duluth and Iron Range communities in northern Minnesota to present "American Voices," a performance and education program. Activities include in-depth master classes for music students and a public concert at the Weber Performance Hall at the University of Minnesota, Duluth; a public concert at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids; and a community education workshop for amateur singers and conductor training at the Hibbing High School Auditorium. The professional 32-member VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will be joined by Cantus, a 12-member professional men's choir, to jointly perform and provide unique education sessions.
Project dates: September 15, 2006 - October 15, 2006

Zenon Dance Company and School, Minneapolis
Grant amount: $10,000
Project description: Zenon Dance Company will tour to the greater Minnesota communities of Faribault and Saint Cloud during Zenon's 2006-07 fiscal year. At each site, Zenon will perform an evening-length program featuring choreography by three masters of American modern dance: Bebe Miller, Tere O'Connor, and Doug Varone. Zenon also will conduct lecture/demonstrations and intensive outreach work with students at the Minnesota Academy of the Deaf in Faribault, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program students at Apollo High School in Saint Cloud. Zenon will conduct master classes at Saint Cloud State University. All performances and workshops will be free of charge to the community.
Project dates: April 1, 2007 - April 30, 2007