A YEAR OF RESILIENCE Arts Midwest 2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Photo by Pierre Ware, courtesy of of courtesy Ware, Pierre by Photo City of Creative CityMaking CityMaking Minneapolis Creative City of In 2020, Arts Midwest celebrated its 35th anniversary.

For 35 years, we have served artists, audiences, and arts organizations across our region and beyond. We have produced tours and exhibitions, supported arts leaders, and brought communities together to experience creativity.

We reached this anniversary milestone in a year that was like no other in our history. Communities across the world are suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Arts organizations and artists have been deeply impacted by shuttered venues, travel restrictions, and social distancing. And in May of 2020, the city of Minneapolis, where Arts Midwest is headquartered, became the epicenter of a long- overdue racial justice awakening catalyzed by the murder of George Floyd in the hands of the police.

The work needed to rebuild and renew the creative sector is humbling. Yet the resilience of our region inspires us in this time of unprecedented difficulty. People are drawing on art and creativity to heal, connect, and move forward.

Strong communities need strong partners. For this recovery to succeed, we must work together to renew and rebuild. Arts Midwest is committed to supporting a creative and equitable Midwest – now and for the next 35 years.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Torrie Allen, Peter Capell, President & CEO Board Chair

EQUITY CREATIVITY OUR We commit to centering We believe Midwestern art diversity, equity, inclusion, and creativity are essential to and access in our operations, the well-being and vibrancy of VALUES programs, and relationships. communities.

PG2 2020 Distributed resilience and recovery funds to Midwest arts organizations to help them weather the COVID-19 2019 pandemic Founding President & CEO David Fraher stepped down and Torrie Allen was named President & CEO 2015 Launched Creating Connection, a research and training initiative that helps arts leaders deepen community 2009 relevance Partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts to distribute recovery grants during the Great Recession 2003 Launched the first season ofWorld Fest, which has since toured 33 international ensembles to 76 Midwestern 1999 communities Began a 21-year partnership with artists and cultural leaders in China 1992 Hosted the first annualArts Midwest Conference in Minneapolis, MN 1990 Created the Minority Arts Administration Fellowship and welcomed five inaugural fellows 1985 Launched the Jazz Program, a large- scale effort recognizing jazz music and musicians in the Midwest 1985 Arts Midwest was created from the merger of two regional arts organizations

THE MIDWEST LEARNING INTEGRITY We work hard to connect, We share what we learn with We believe we are doing our support, and honor the Midwestern artists and arts best work when we listen and people and places that organizations to support them respond with empathy, humility, compose our region. in being more visible, resilient, and authenticity. and sustainable.

PG3 COMMUNITY VOICES

2020 was a year of listening. In coffee hour Zooms, Conference keynotes, and one-on-one calls, we heard

from grantees, partners, and Chicago,

audience members across the “If you are sick, I am sick. If I cannot recover, you cannot Midwest as we tried to find a recover. We have a mandate to re-imagine.” path forward, together. ANGELIQUE POWER President of the Field Foundation, speaking at the Arts Midwest Conference

OUR Arts Midwest promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to MISSION Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives.

PG4 Sisseton, Chicago, Illinois

“The need for relationships “People are just tired. There’s has been accentuated even a hunger to be out. There’s a more. We may be gathering in need to get to some kind of different ways, but we are still normalcy. The hardest thing is making connections.” just continuing to have the faith that we will pass this.” KARIE GEYER We the Many Participant CARLOS TORTELERO Founder of the National Museum of Mexican Art, a United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund Grantee

Massillon, Brainerd, Gary,

“Being in [an online book “Whatever we do this summer, “We’ve learned to adapt. Arts in group] is really something I we will have to be flexible until general does what art does best wish there was more of. The the day we start.” — innovate.” feeling of not being alone when you’re handling this stuff is SCOTT LYKINS ALIA HAWKENS comforting.” Executive Director of the Founder of Beachfront Dance Lakes Area Music Festival, School, a United States Regional JOHN STRAUSS an Arts Midwest Touring Fund Arts Resilience Fund Grantee NEA Big Read Participant Grantee

OUR Based in Minneapolis, we grow, gather, and invest in creative organizations and communities throughout the REGION nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, , , Minnesota, , Ohio, South Dakota, and , and beyond.

PG5 CREATIVE HEALING

How can art help a community heal after trauma? In the fall of 2020, Arts Midwest worked with the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy of the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota to disburse money to 10 artist-led creative healing projects that responded to the trauma of racial discrimination and inspired change.

PG6 “Artists use their skills to weave community relationships, build social cohesion, and help communities heal on their own terms.” – GÜLGÜN KAYIM Director of the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy From L to R: Photos by Keegan Xavi, Xavi, Keegan by R: Photos L to From and Nancy Musinguzi. Ware Pierre Minneapolis City of of Courtesy CityMaking Creative

SELF CARE COMMUNITY PROJECTING THROUGH HAIRCUTS GATHERINGS THE FUTURE

Samuel Babatunde Ero-Phillips Sayge Carroll and Keegan Xavi D.A. Bullock’s project excited and Christie Marie Owens connected neighbors in two delirium projected videos of created a pop-up barber shop Minneapolis communities Black artists and performers and permanent altar through Harvest Feast, onto damaged or destroyed installation on Lake Street, outdoor events that focused places in Minneapolis as a way the heart of Minneapolis’s on art, healing, and food. to encourage neighbors to immigrant corridor. By offering These events helped neighbors take part in rebuilding and re- free haircuts, the artists created bond and learn about and from envisioning the future. a space for neighbors to one another. practice self-care.

Creative CityMaking is a program of the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy at the City of Minneapolis. Funding is provided by The Kresge Foundation. Arts Midwest acted as fiscal agent for the disbursal of grant funds.

PG7 SUPPORTING THE FIELD THROUGH CRISIS

United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund

How can we ensure that recovery from a crisis is equitable? Recognizing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on historically under-resourced arts organizations, Arts Midwest teamed up with the other five U.S. Regional Arts Organizations to offer a national relief fund.

UNEVEN IMPACTS CENTERING ACCESS

Systemic bias has prevented rural organizations It was important that this fund was of, by, and for and organizations led by and serving people our region. So we centered rural communities, of color from accessing resources that could Indigenous communities, and communities of help them weather this crisis. It was clear the color in the decision-making process. We invited Resilience Fund needed to focus on serving those nominations from the community and simplified organizations and leaders. our grantmaking process.

The United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund is an initiative of Arts Midwest and its peer United States Regional Arts Organizations made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Funding for smaller organizations in Arts Midwest’s region is generously supported by an anonymous donor.

PG8 How can we ensure that recovery from a crisis is equitable? Recognizing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on historically under-resourced arts

organizations, Arts Midwest teamed up with the other five U.S. Regional Arts Organizations to offer a national relief fund. R: L to From Gilliam. Terry by Photo Howard, Jjira Sarah by Photo Music Weekend. Detroit courtesy

FINANCIAL IMPACT FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

We distributed more than $3 million to 91 In addition to grants, we’re offering our organizations across our region. These relief community training, resources, and space to grants do not require matches and are not deepen relationships, share knowledge, and build restricted, meaning that organizations can put the skills around resilience and sustainability. money to work where it’s needed most.

$3,015,000 91 9 DISTRIBUTED IN 2020 ORGANIZATIONS STATES

PG9 CONVENING IN THE TIME OF COVID 54 Arts Midwest Conference STATES + REGIONS

For 30 years, Arts Midwest has been bringing the performing arts industry together to connect and plan live music, theater, and dance. 1,874 But in 2020, we were faced with different questions. CONFERENCE ATTENDEES

After months of dark stages, how do we provide support and resources for reopening?

How can we support artists who are struggling to stay afloat and produce their work?

How can we invite our industry to reimagine its future—during and beyond the pandemic? 22 COUNTRIES RETHINKING THE CONFERENCE

We combined our team, resources, and imaginations with Western Arts Alliance, a longtime partner of Arts Midwest. Together, we reworked the Conference, creating the first-of-its-kind virtual event for the performing arts industry.

The Conference was designed to meet the moment, addressing themes of coming together and creating innovative change. It “Thank you for coming up focused on equity, exploring ways that our field can combat with a creative solution that systemic racism in our organizations and communities. In online has allowed us to connect in panels, group discussions, and chats, participants explored how to the best way possible during build a new future together. this time. I am most grateful for your innovation and . appreciate the opportunity to see my friends/colleagues!”

—JANET HERMAN BARLOW Stocker Arts Center/Lorain County Community College PG10 CONNECTING CULTURES ACROSS DISTANCE 54 Wisconsin-Stout of University of courtesy Doran, Jared by Photo STATES + REGIONS World Fest

Typically, Arts Midwest World Fest tours international artists to Midwest communities for week-long residencies that promote connection and cultural exchange. But in a year where travel wasn’t possible, our team had to find new ways to foster global connections.

GOING VIRTUAL

Three World Fest artists/ensembles—Paulo Padilha e Bando (Brazil), Hikaru (Japan), and Hadar Maoz (Israel)—joined us for the first-ever World Fest Online. We produced nine videos that offered workshops and scenes from the artists’ lives, hosted virtual concerts, and 22 brought the artists into classrooms across the Midwest for COUNTRIES virtual workshops.

COMMUNITY AND ARTIST CONNECTIONS

At the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, students partnered with Paulo Padilha e Bando to create a new music video for his song “Outro Carnaval.” Blending traditional music from Brazil with the sounds of more than 50 choral and band students from Wisconsin, World Fest proved that even a pandemic is no match for the power of creativity to bring people together.

“We got to try different [ways] of rehearsing and recording that we had never done before. A couple of semesters ago, Paulo came to UW-Stout, and we all sang and played together; it was a great example of unity. Even now, thousands of miles away, we [still] glimpsed that kind of unity.”

—MEGAN KLAVER, UW-STOUT STUDENT

PG11 ARTS MIDWEST STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES for year ending June 30, 2020 REVENUE Foundation contributions $ 4,777,000 Individual contributions 39,000 Government grants 5,121,000 Conference fees 761,000 State arts agencies dues and projects 484,000 Investment and other income 220,000 Total Revenue and Support 11,403,000

EXPENSES Program Services 6,247,000 Management and general 1,234,000 Fundraising 191,000 Total Expenses 7,672,000 Change in Net Assets $ 3,731,000

Rounded to the nearest thousand

In FY20, Arts Midwest received $4,003,000 in foundation support for programming taking place in future fiscal years (FY21 and beyond), including Resilience Fund grants distributed in FY21. These restricted funds resulted in an increase in our net assets but were not available to us for ongoing support of operations in FY20.

PG12

+347421+A REVENUE 45 SOURCES 35.10% FOUNDATION SUPPORT FOR $11,403,000 FUTURE FISCAL YEARS

44.91%

GOVERNMENT 6.79% FOUNDATION SUPPORT FOR FY20

6.67% CONFERENCE FEES

4.24%

0.34% STATE ARTS AGENCIES INDIVIDUALS DUES AND PROJECTS 1.93% INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME +163A EXPENSES 81 $7,672,000

81.43% PROGRAMMING

16.08% MANAGEMENT/GENERAL

2.49% FUNDRAISING

In FY20, Arts Midwest founding President & CEO David Fraher stepped down as part of a planned leadership transition. Torrie Allen joined the organization as President & CEO in August 2019. David remained on staff until November 2019 as an advisor to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Arts Midwest’s Board of Directors approved additional expenses related to this transition. As a result, management expenses in FY20 were higher than usual, at 16%. Arts Midwest’s management expenses typically range from 10-13%. PG13 REMEMBERING COLLEEN MCLAUGHLIN

Arts Midwest was deeply saddened by the passing of Colleen McLaughlin on August 6, 2020. Colleen was a member of the Arts Midwest team from 2005 until 2019, serving in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Advancement. A joyful friend, committed leader, and champion for creativity, Colleen helped steward support for the arts across the Midwest.

“Colleen’s passion and commitment to the arts leave behind a profound legacy. In her nearly 15 years with Arts Midwest, Colleen cultivated relationships and secured the funding necessary for Arts Midwest to thrive and carry out its mission. She was a trusted colleague and committed mentor. Her impact on the individuals and communities throughout the Midwest and the nation served by Arts Midwest’s programs will endure.”

–BRIAN TIEMANN Arts Midwest Board Vice Chair

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS Government + State Arts Agencies

Corporations + Foundations

®

TM

PG14 DONOR LIST July 1, 2019 to present

Anonymous Donor* Gerry Foley Irene Lee, The Mystical Eric R. Rogers Veronica Ahern Luanne Fondell Arts of Tibet Anne Romens and Torrie Allen David Fraher Patti Liberatore Christopher Hill Julie Amsberry Claire Frederick Lynn Lucius Jennifer Ross Emily Anderson and Alison Mara Friedman Emma Lumsden Laura Ross Danaca Booth Jeannette Gardner Marc Lyon Sara Rowley Larry Baill and Judy Gaviser Alex Mallett Omari Rush Susan Colby Margaret Genovese Emily Maltz and Abby and Orin Rutchick Mr. Jordan Bandy Tanya MB Gertz Jean-Michel Artigaud* Mukta Sathe Lemuel Bardeguez Teresa Glasgow Sheila and Joe Markley Sandra Schoeder Jack and Kathleen Barlow Karen and Lee Marks Mary Margaret Schoenfeld Catherine Barnett Norman Goeschko Kymm and Ivan Martinez and David Low Flávia Bastos and Brian Goesl David Mayeri Darr Schreurs Larry Huston Anne Gossett Sarah McCarthy Dana Setterholm and Marc Baylin Emily Gutknecht Peg McDonald Antonio Spargo Jodi Beach and Clay and Sandy Haapala Barbara McLaughlin* Kathleen Sewell Jim McDowell Ken and Catherine Colleen McLaughlin Emily Stiehl Alan Becker Haarstad Rene and Christoph Beth Strachan Ragnar Berthling Dave Haist Meyer-Grimberg Kitty Strauss and Rebecca Biderman Lindsay Hanson Charlotte Michalski Dick Rosenthal Anne Black Alex Hargis, dedicated to Tod Minnich Nico Taranovsky and Emma Bohmann Gracie girl, Evie cat and Joel Mintzer and Sharon Preves Brian and Kaija Bonde Lucasaurus Heidi Schneider Tammy Tesky Ausen* Ruth Brennan Nancy Harold Bonnie Monte Anna Thompson Joi A. Brown Matthew Harris Bonnie Morris and Brian Tiemann Chelsea Brown and Stacy Harrison Dean Holzman Megan and Ryan Torkelson Brandon Herz Steve Heath Michael and Marci Moses George and Maria Tzougros Ann Brusky Janet Herman Barlow Ms. Daniela Muller Angela and Grant Urbanz Peter Capell Stan and Jane Hooper Daniel Murphy Diane Veale, in honor of Ken Carlson and Alana Horton Chaitra Nagaraja LuCille V Tack Lara Roberts Craig Howe, in memory of Alexandra Nicholis Coon Michael Vinson Susan Chalmers Gauvin Philip Allen Jenny Palmer Jan Virgin Susan Chandler Victoria Hutter Michael Pangburn Greg Volan and Richard Chandler and Yumi Inomata and Joseph Patti Katarina Topalov Heidi Pankoke Karl H. Nilsson* Ashleigh Penrod Saymoukda Vongsay, Tony L. Chauveaux Yumi Inomata, in memory Adam Perry in memory of Libby Chiu of Juro Inomata Jasper Person Sanouthith Vongsay Sandra Clark Linda E. Johnson Mary Pickard Jo and Bob Wagner Nina Clark Brenda Lee Johnston Rhoda Pierce Stanley Wai and Donna Collins Joshua Kane Steve and Arlene Pine Gayle Jorgens Alex Cousins Sylvia Kaufman Mollie Quinlan-Hayes Melissa Wales Loann Crane Bob and Fay Kay Ashwini Ramaswamy Matthew Wallace Joshua Davis-Ruperto Moira Keane and Angela Ramey Ginger Warner Leni De Mik Thomas L. Romens Kirk Randolph Alison Watson Shantel Dow Thomas Keegan Leslie Rapp Janine Webb Steve Duchrow and Grace Kelmer Jane and John Rasmussen Jim Weiner Janet Berkes Jill and Bill Klanderman Barbara Rawley and Alexis Wesling Darlene Dulitz Margot H Knight Dan Nordby Todd Wetzel Craig Dunn* Jeff Laramie - SRO Artists Kyle Ridout Chris Widdess Kat Duvic Andrea Larsen and Jonathan Riehle and Anya Wilkening Susan Feder and Bill Youmans Angela M. Bohmann Sally Windle Todd Gordon Daniel Lawrence Barbara S. Robinson Pernille Wollan Marlene Feldman Wayne Lawson Betsy Roder Kyoko Yoshida Ken and Penny Fischer Sherri Leathers Sharon Rodning Bash

*donations given in honor of Colleen McLaughlin PG15 ARTS MIDWEST STAFF ARTS MIDWEST BOARD Torrie Allen, PRESIDENT & CEO Flávia Bastos (CINCINNATI, OH)

Emily Anderson, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Brian J. Bonde (SIOUX FALLS, SD)

Kayla Aubid, COMMUNITY LEARNING CATALYST Peter Capell (MINNEAPOLIS, MN)

Emma Bohmann, DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sandra Clark (BLOOMINGTON, IN)

Chelsea Brown, DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Matthew Harris (DES MOINES, IA)

Erin Brueggemann, PROGRAM DIRECTOR Kendra Whitlock Ingram (MILWAUKEE, WI)

Ken Carlson, SENIOR DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES Kymm Martinez (MINNEAPOLIS, MN)

Ellen DeYoung, GRANTS SPECIALIST Ailithir McGill (NOBLESVILLE, IN)

Christy Dickinson, SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR Andre Perry (IOWA CITY, IA)

Joshua Feist, DIRECTOR OF GRANTMAKING Mary Pickard (ST. PAUL, MN)

Carlianne Hayes, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE Rhoda A. Pierce (HIGHLAND PARK, IL)

Joy Hickey, FINANCE DIRECTOR Jane Rasmussen (SISSETON, SD)

Alana Horton, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Omari Rush (DETROIT, MI)

Yumi Inomata, FINANCE MANAGER Brian Tiemann (EVANSTON, IL)

Michael Johnson, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER George Tzougros (MADISON, WI)

John Kaiser, GRANTS SPECIALIST Michael Louis Vinson (GREEN BAY, WI)

Mia McGill, COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE Gregory Volan (CHICAGO, IL)

Carly Newhouse, PROGRAM ASSOCIATE Matthew Wallace (GRAND FORKS, ND)

Katie Ortman, PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, INTERNATIONAL Jan Webb (BISMARCK, ND)

Adam Perry, VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGY & PROGRAMS ARTS MIDWEST Anne Romens, VICE PRESIDENT OF REVENUE & COMMUNICATIONS EMERITUS BOARD Nico Taranovsky, IT & FACILITIES MANAGER John Bracey (LANSING, MI)

Angela Urbanz, DIRECTOR, ARTS MIDWEST CONFERENCE Ken Fischer (ANN ARBOR, MI)

Maria Vorhis, CREATIVE GATHERINGS MANAGER David Fraher (MINNEAPOLIS, MN)

Sylvia Kaufman (CHICAGO, IL)

ARTS MIDWEST HONOR CIRCLE Peter A. Rand (MINNEAPOLIS, MN)

ARTS MIDWEST 2908 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55408