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4.3. SR 01-19-1999 rei ----\) ( ); ~li{ Item #4.3. River MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Alice Heinecke, Executive(lKftary January 19, 1999 DATE: SUBJECT: 2001 Arts Alliance Tony Darkenwald, general chair of the 2001 Arts Alliance, will be in attendance at Tuesday's meeting to make a presentation on this issue and update the Council on the Art Soup Arts Festival which is planned to be held June 21-27 in the Historic Downtown. Attached is background information Tony has provided on the festival. . . 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425 . . . (e ArtSo up Elk River Area Community Arts Festival e . (e (e e ArfSoup Elk River Area Community Arts Festival TABLE OF CONTENTS ArtSoup Festival Goals, Dates, Locations, Planners . . . . . . . .. page 1 ArtSoup Festival Events and Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. page 2 ArtSoup Festival Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. page 3 Community Organizations Involved to date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3 ArtSoup Festival Week Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. page 4 The Plan ArtSoup Origins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5 Community Support for ArtSoup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. page 5 ArtSoup Festival Weekend- a Spicy Mix of arts experiences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. page 6 We will promote ArtSoup with gusto! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7 Why ArtSoup needs YOUR support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. page 8 I ~I iance ArtSoup . Elk River Area Community Arts Festival ArtSoup Festival Goals · To bring local arts resources, arts professionals, organizations and other artists together to share experience, network and collaborate. · To utilize the arts in the development of our community - economically, educationally and culturally. · To serve and involve all generations in the arts - from youth to seniors. · To demonstrate the value and potential use for a regional fine arts center. · To celebrate the arts and arts activities in the Elk River, Zimmerman, Rogers and (. Otsego area! ArfSoup Festival Dates Monday - Sunday June 21 - 27, 1999 with the festival celebration culminating Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th ArtSoup Festival Location Historic Downtown Elk River The business district alongside the Mississippi River Other events will be held at various indoor sites within the communities of Elk River, Zimmerman, Otsego and Rogers. ce ArtSoup Festival Planning Committee 2001 Arts Alliance is a group of about 60 concerned citizens who have banded together to promote and support the arts in the region of Elk River, Rogers, Otsego and Zimmerman. Membership includes energetic and committed volunteers who are leaders and highly involved citizens from various segments of the community. We formed out the 2001 Conference on the arts which was held in September 1997. -1- ArtSoup Elk River Area Community Arts Festival (e (e ce ArtSoup Festival Events and Components Weekday Activities Monday - Thursday (June 21-24) · ISD #728 Community Education Arts Series Dance Workshop Literary Workshop with Juried Event producing a literary magazine Activities for youth and adults · Vocal Music Concert - Local and regional artists · "How to Talk Minnesotan," by Plymouth Playhouse cast · "Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," High School/Community Theater - Friday (June 25) · Set up · Artist Recognition Event · Young Artists Unite! Teen Dance Weekend Activities Friday & Saturday (June 26 & 27) · Fine Arts Display & Sales Visual Arts Sculpture Garden · Fine Crafts Display & Sales · Art in Bloom - Painting & Floral Arranging (sponsored by local florist) · Best of Festival - Visual Art Display · Local Talent Performances · Dance Workshop Performances · Music Events- June 26 & 27 (to date) "Mooncoin Ceili Dancers" - Irish dances & live music, emphasizing the popular energetic stepdancing Variety of Music Styles - vocal and instrumental ensembles: local performers such as Elk River Community Choir, Elk River Community Band, Men & Women in Harmony, Jazzmin, Foxy Trotters, The Watchmen, and many more. · Poetry and other literary readings Miscellaneous Events · Contest having to do with theme "ArtSoup" · Youth Area: (Young Artists Unite!) Arts Activities for Youth Face Painting Art Demonstrations Opportunities to create artwork · "In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater" · Roving Performers (mimes, jugglers, magicians, ...) · Food Court · Musical or visual arts display in participating businesses -2- ArtSoup Elk River Area Community Arts Festival (. ArtSoup Festival Support · Setup and Decoration · Parking · Secu rity · Traffic · Restrooms · Maintenance & Cleanup {continuous} · Signs · Festival Guides · First Aid · Fine arts booths · Fine crafts booths · 2001 Arts Alliance booth · Young Artists Unite! Booth · Stages i\. Organizations involved to date (Oct. 1998) ArtSoup planners are working to involve the entire community in this festival. The following are involved in the planning to date: · 2001 Arts Alliance · Young Artists Unite! · The 2001 Committee, Inc. · ISO #728 Community Education · Elk River Arts Magnet · ISO #728 Senior High Vocal Music · Elk River Community Recreation · Elk River Area Arts Council · RSVP {Retired and Senior Volunteer Program} · Rivers Edge {business owners at festival site} · Three Rivers Community Foundation . -3- . MONDAY 6/21 TUESDAY 6/22 ArtSoup - Festiv'week Schedule . WEDNESDAY 6/23 25 SATURDAY 6/26 SUNDAY 6/27 Dance performance - Sat or Sun. Fine Arts Display - Fri. eve, Sat., Sun. Fine Crafts Display - Fri. eve, Sat., Sun. "Art in Bloom" Display & Demo - Fri. eve, Sat., Sun "Best of Festival" Display - Sat., EAAHS "Joseph" performances Talent Show performances Irish Cloggers & Drummers g Artists Street Dance ! Dance downtown E.R. !y arena DAILY FESTIVAL ACTIVITES (Fri eve, Sat., Sun): Face Painting, Caricaturists, Art Demonstratons, Roving Performers, Young Artists Unitel activities for young people, and food booths - creative, ethnic, delicious I Young Artists Unite! booth - Fri. eve, Sat., Sun. 2001 Arts Alliance Booth - Fri. eve, Sat., Sun. Support: Parking, shuttle, guides, security, maintenance (constant clean-up), First Aid THURSDAY 6/24 FRIDAY 6/ Dance Workshop Daily Sessions - Mon - Thurs. ... Perform Sat. Opening Ceremony Vocal Concert- St. Andrew's "How to Talk Minnesotan" Plymouth Playhouse Youn Unite hock, ONGOING PRIOR TO and/or DURING FESTIVAL WEEK: · Art displays in businesses & other prominent locations · ISO #728 Community Ed Arts Series · Literary Workshop to produce Literary Magazine · Schools participation · ArtSoup Display (. . . ArfSoup Elk River Area Community Arts Festival ArtSoup Origins The 2001 Arts Alliance, individuals and organizations within the region of Rogers, Otsego, Elk River, and Zimmerman are collaborating to create the "ArtSoup" Elk River Area Community Arts Festival. ArtSoup is a celebration of the arts in our community. The name "ArtSoup" conveys that the "coming together" creates something that can be even better than the individual ingredient. The name was also chosen to convey our intention to produce an event that is lighthearted and fun. At the same time, we are planning to accomplish significant and meaningful outcomes that will positively affect our community. ArtSoup is a means to bring our community together to enjoy and understand the importance of the arts in our daily lives. In 1997, the Elk River Citizens' League completed a two-year study about the arts in the Elk River area. In their 46 page comprehensive report, the Citizens' League identified the Elk River Area as a community with above average arts resources needing stronger ties and leadership in the arts. Fund raising for the arts has been at a minimum because of the lack of coordination and collaboration of the various entities, including the schools and the public sector. Among other findings, the report stated that the Elk River area has inadequate visual and performing arts facilities. At the same time, the Search Institute conducted a study of the Elk River area community, identifying assets that are critical to healthy youth. The arts were specifically identified as a highly important factor in helping youth grow to be healthy and productive individuals. Clearly, steps needed to be taken to tap the enormous reservoir the arts provide to our youth, as well as the rest of our community. In September of 1997, the 2001 Committee, Inc. hosted their eighth community conference, featuring the arts as their focus community issue. Over 100 community leaders attended a day which began with the keynote speaker, Joan Mondale, and continued in an immersion in the arts. A panel of people from communities who became economically successful through the arts was a highlight for business leaders. All enjoyed the original music, drama, and visual arts that were part of that day. Out of that experience and the excitement and energy it created, came the 2001 Arts Alliance. Taking the outcomes of group discussions about the future of our communities through the arts, the Arts Alliance decided to use an arts festival to bring audiences together, to network artists, and to demonstrate what we learned would benefit our community through the arts. Community Support for ArtSoup We decided that our festival should include all areas of the arts. As we began planning ArtSoup, established arts groups willingly joined in. During festival week, the high school vocal music program is planning a community concert. The high school drama club is collaborating with community adults to -5- ArfSoup Elk River Area Community Arts Festival (e do the theatrical extravaganza, "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." A local florist is coordinating an "Arts in Bloom" exhibit that combines visual art with floral arranging. A local artist has invited the Plymouth Theater to perform "How to Talk Minnesotan," a well known and thoroughly entertaining evening of comedy. Community Education is coordinating their summer art series with the festival. A literary workshop with a subsequent literary magazine and a dance workshop with various dance styles are two of the featured offerings. The Minnesota Center for Arts Education Dance Education Initiative is helping to survey the specific needs for dance education to insure the success of the dance workshop. One of our most delightful and hard-working subcommittees, Young Artists Unite!, is sponsoring a teen dance with a twist of the arts to boot at the hockey arena in Elk River. Elk River Community Recreation volunteered to cohost the event. Young Artists Unite! members, have been working with advisor, Annette Watz, and will have their own booth, exhibit of artwork, and other arts activities during the festival weekend. Another volunteer, Rick Czeck, has years of experience with the Elk River Hockey Arena craft shows, and is heading up the fine crafts area of the festival. RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) stepped forward to offer to recruit and completely coordinate the hundreds of volunteers required to make this festival a success. (e ArtSoup Festival Weekend-a Spicy Mix of Arts Experiences On the weekend, ArtSoup will move to the downtown area on the Mississippi River. Visual arts and fine crafts exhibits and demonstrations, professional and local amateur talent in music and dance (with multi-age performers,) and literary arts activities will be featured. Highlights of the Young Artists Unite! area are sure to be face painting, opportunities for children to create individual art, a magician, a juggler, and a violinist. We plan to include the nationally known In the Heart of the Beast puppeteers with their unique puppets, masks, and original performance styles. Throughout the afternqon, free musical entertainment will be provided in a carefully created schedule that enhances performance attendance. Music performances will include a showcase of local talent : barbershop quartets, The Watchman vocal ensemble, a high school jazz band, the Foxy Trotters senior dance line, community choirs, Strings for Youth, as well as professional ensembles. The Mooncoin Ceili Dancers, a twelve-member dance company, accompanied by three Irish instrumentalists, will entertain and energize the crowds with their Irish dances. They feature a variety of Irish dance, including the currently popular step dancing, which is sure to be an exciting draw. ce .In implementing our organizational goals, our plan is to support and utilize as many local artists as possible as we seek to provide quality arts experiences for our festival goers. In addition to entertaining and delighting -6- . \e ~e ArfSoup Elk River Area Community Arts Festival them with the creativity of participating artists, we plan to provide experiences that will be educational and informational, as well. Most festival activities will be free of charge, except the theater performances will have a minimum charge. The strategies of low-to-no charge admissions and involving as many community members and organizations as possible in the festival events will help to increase attendance in order to promote and unite the . arts in this 20 mile long geographic area of approximately 30,000 people. We will promote ArtSoup with gusto! The Advertising and Promotion Committee has already begun contributing articles on arts activities to the Elk River Star News, the Crow River News, the Frontier (Zimmerman), and the Sherburne County Citizen newspapers. Nearing the date of the festival, we will place ads in one or two key papers. In July 1998, we had a booth in the four day Sherburne County Fair. ArtSoup festival posters and brochures will be posted and distributed in strategic areas throughout the four cities. We will use sponsor kits with festival buttons to promote the festival and secure financial and in-kind contributions. Advertising stuffers will be sent in a local bank's statement mailing. A large ad in the ISO #728 Community Education Catalog will be mailed to about 20,000 residents in March. Outdoor signs and banners are planned. Notices will be in the 13 district schools' newsletters in the spring. A huge sculpture of a kettle with ArtSoup symbols, accompanied by details about the arts festival, will be placed in a prominent public place early in the year. Festival directories will be distributed to regional motels and other appropriate public sites. We placed our festival in the Midwest Art Fairs February 1999 issue. Our coffee gatherings for artists at the Olde Main Eatery serve as newsworthy events to help promote the festival, as well as opportunities for artists to collaborate and network. We will continue to make personal presentations to community organizations about our ArtSoup community arts festival and enthusiastically promote the event through word of mouth. -7- (e e (e ArtSoup Elk River Area Community Arts Festival Why ArtSoup needs YOUR support Although there have been successful arts festivals and community festivals in the Elk River area in the past, ArtSoup is a new endeavor and particularly in need of financial support to establish a solid foundation for subsequent years. Our first ArtSoup needs extra help to promote it for the first time, and to have enough of a financial base to provide quality arts experiences. In ArtSoup, we . have an important opportunity to impact our community in a way it has not felt before: · ArtSoup provides support for the arts by making the arts a prominent issue. · ArtSoup provides formats for artists and other community arts resources to network with each other and with the community at large. · ArtSoup provides a showcase of the plentiful artistic talent located in our own community. · ArtSoup provides a gathering place for community members to come together. · ArtSoup establishes a tradition which can provide our region with a strong, positive identity. · ArtSoup draws audiences from the greater region of the ISO 728 school district and beyond, and will have a positive impact on our local economy. · ArtSoup is a means to building healthy assets in our children. · ArtSoup is a strong, positive response to clearly defined needs in the Elk River Area community. It will provide a springboard of support for arts facilities. Its goals are supported by research and the 2001 Arts Alliance volunteers are excited about the difference we can make in our community! -8- These ArtSoup Festival Committees are headed by: e 2001 Arts Alliance Tony Darkenwald, General Chair: Currently works with the Elk River Arts Magnet and former board member of the Elk River Area Arts Council. Chair of the community conference, "Enriching Our Communities-The Power of the Arts." Formerly business manager of family land development and rental properties business. BA University of Minnesota. Finance Committee Clifford Lundberg, Chair: Attorney, Former mayor of Elk River, on the Board of Elk River Community T~eater, on Board of Elk River Area Arts Council, Minnesota Association of Community Theaters. Advertising & Promotion Committee Lisa Molitor, Chair: Degree in Art History, St. Cloud State University. Atwood Board of Governors- Arts Governor 3 years. Part of group who began the long standing St. Cloud Lemonade Concert in 1974. Worked in printing business many years. Free lance graphics design artist. Currently works for the of City of Zimmerman. Planning & Organization Committee Harvey Schroeder, Chair: Professional fine artist. Owner and instructor of Schroeder Studio. Was art teacher 36 years in the Elk River Area School District. Bachelor of Arts at St. Cloud State University. Advanced work at MCAD, SCSU, New York State Artists League, and master classes in painting at Loveland, Colorado. Currently featured in an arts exhibit at the Minnesota State Arts Board in St. Paul. (e Human Resources Committee David Beauvais, Co-Chair: Professional visual artist. Executive Director of the Elk River Area Arts Council. Coordinates the "Arts in Harmony" national juried art show each year. Charlotte Strei, Co-Chair: Charlotte will operate the volunteer portion of ArtSoup. Although RSVP represents the seniors of the community, volunteers from businesses, community service organizations, and other resources will be recruited and managed by Charlotte and her co-worker Sally Grabowski. They also provide this service for another local community event, The Heritage Festival. Young Artists Unite! Carrie Bufford, Elk River Area High School student and artist,has taken a strong role in this group. Annette Watz has been the group's advisor, has strong experience working with youth, most recently through Watz Up Cafe. She is Community Involvement Coordinator for Target Stores. Community Education Arts Series Carole McNaughton Commers and the ISO #728 Community Education produced a community festival in Elk River. She is lending her time and expertise to make ArtSoup a successful arts festival. Community Education will coordinate a summer Community Education series on the arts, coordinated with ArtSoup activities. Sharon Tracy, English teacher in Anoka public schools is coordinating the literary workshop and magazine project and the dance workshop. Facilities Committee David Raymond, Chair: Secretary of The 2001 Committee, Inc. (9 yr. old community group for planning and change.) Works with Sherburne County Sheriff's staff. Member of Macalaster College Festival Chorale. ce Special Events: Vocal Music Concert and "How to Talk Minnesotan" Pat Feit, Vocal Music Director at Elk River Area High School is planning and coordinating the concert to be held at St. Andrew's Church. Sara Hartman, professional fine artist and former professional entertainer, is coordinating the Plymouth Playhouse presentation, "How to Talk Minnesotan."