Resources

This is a list of links and resources used by our office and our constituents. They by no means constitute a comprehensive selection of useful organizations or sites. Links are organized by the following categories: Publications, Time-Limited Opportunities, Advocacy, Accessibility, Funding, Management Training Providers, and Technology.

Links

MRAC Publications and Reports

Thriving Arts: Thriving Small Communities

The report, Thriving Arts: Thriving Small Communities, by Sharon Rodning Bash, MRAC’s Director of Management Training and Services, shares the findings of a year-long study funded by the Bush Foundation that sought to discover whether there were critical ingredients or common themes necessary to build long-term viability for the arts in rural and exurban communities.

From Mission To Motivation: a focused approach to arts participation

Targeting the small or mid-sized arts group, this workbook is designed for use in self-guided learning or a facilitated workshop process to help build consensus around audience development goals and strategies.

A New Angle: Arts Development in the Suburbs

Released May 12, 2002, the report tries to gauge the extent of suburban arts development, and to raise its profile with artists, arts administrators, arts patrons, funders, and public officials. Available in the MRAC offices.

Art and Upheaval by William Cleveland.
Stories of how artists have used their art to rebuild communities devastated by war, repression, and dislocation. "The stories in this book have valuable implications for artists, academics, educators, human service providers, philanthropists, and community leaders throughout the world. The artists documented in the book have generated new technologies for advocacy, organizing, peacemaking, healing trauma and the rebuilding of community."

Time-Limited Opportunities (These non-MRAC opportunites are posted at MRAC's discretion. The list does not indicate an endorsement. The list is updated monthly.)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Public Law 111-5) stimulus grants to help preserve jobs in Minnesota's nonprofit arts sector are available through the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB). Eligible Arts organization must have received a grant from the MSAB or a Minnesota Regional Arts Council (RAC) in the last several years, among other criteria. More information is available at www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/2010/arra.htm. Deadline: July 13, 2009.

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The Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative grants support and assist artists at various stages in their careers. The grants encourage artistic development, nurture artistic creativity, and recognize the contributions that individual artists make to the creative environment of the state of Minnesota. Grants will be awarded for career building and for the creative development of artists. For more information visit www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/artist_initiative.htm. Deadline: July 30, 2009.

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The Minnesota State Arts Board Cultural Community Partnership grants are designed to enhance the careers of individual artists of color through partnership projects. An applicant can collaborate with another Minnesota artist of color or a Minnesota nonprofit organization. For more information visit www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural_community_partnership.htm Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on July 31, 2009. Deadline: July 31, 2009.

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Jerome Foundation Minnesota Film and Video Program is a production grant program for emerging, individual film and video artists whose work shows promise of excellence. Collaborative projects in which creative control is shared are also eligible. This program serves artists who work in the genres of experimental, narrative, animation and documentary production. For more information visit www.jeromefdn.org/IV~Grant_Programs/B~Minnesota_Film_and_Video Deadline: July 31, 2009.

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20UNDER40 is collecting essays about the future of the arts and arts education written by emerging leaders under the age of forty for an anthology of new ideas thoughts and perspectives from young artists, teaching artists, arts administrators, arts researchers, and other arts and arts education professionals. For more information visit www.20under40.org.

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The University of Minnesota and the Midwest Arts in Healthcare Network (MAIHN) will host the Society for the Arts in Healthcare international 2010 conference April 28 - May 1, 2010 in Minneapolis. A call for papers requesting abstracts for presentations for the conference is online at thesah.org/template/page.cfm?page_id=21. Deadline: September 25, 2009

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RECESSION PREPAREDNESS ASSESSMENT
The Nonprofits Assistance Fund has developed an Assessment of Recession Risk and Preparedness for Nonprofit Organizations as a starting point to help organizations identify potential risk factors and immediate priorities. With this information, your organization will be better prepared to develop strategies and approaches to respond to the economy and plan for a sustainable future. Click here to complete the Recession Preparedness Assessment and enhance your ability to navigate these uncertain times.

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Performance Today, one of America's most popular classical music radio programs, is looking for performances by undiscovered or amateur musicians to feature on their website and on the air. They also want to learn more about the role of music in your life. How did you get your start? If you couldn't perform, what would you do? Click here to submit a performance or click here to share your stories about playing music.

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A newly released video training on the Form 990 by Eve Borenstein of Borenstein and McVeigh is now available on MCN's website. Taken from one of Eve's recent and popular "990's Do Matter" trainings, the videos are conveniently segmented and allow you to easily access and view the content you need. And best of all? These videos are free and viewable by everyone. Click here to view.

Interested in a training opportunity, but not sure that your organization can afford the fee? MRAC offers a training fund grant to help arts groups pay for training opportunities that will strengthen their organization. Click here for more information on MRAC's Management Training Fund grant.

Advocacy

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA)

Statewide arts advocacy organization that organizes the arts community to lobby the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress.

Americans for the Arts

National arts advocacy organization.

 

Accessibility

To assess your organization's accessibility, download the accessibility planning guide on the Accessibility Page. On that page you can also find a guide to working with sign language interpreters in the performing arts.

VSA Arts of Minnesota

Statewide organization that promotes quality, accessible arts experiences for people with all types of disabilities through artist services and direct arts programs and by assisting arts organizations in making their programs and services accessible to people with disabilities.

Disability Access Symbols

The twelve symbols included on this page may be used to promote and publicize accessibility of places, programs and other activities for people with various disabilities.

Funding

Minnesota State Arts Board

Provides grants for individual artists, arts organizations and schools; offers downloadable publications and resource directories.

Minnesota's Regional Arts Councils

Each Regional Arts Council (RAC) serves a sector of the state, made up of four or more counties. Every RAC has its own grant programs, publications and eligibility requirements. To find out more about the RACs and determine which one serves your area, click on the map on MCA's home page.

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)

Is proud to announce the launch of NYFA Source, the nation's most extensive database of awards, services, and publications for artists of all disciplines. Artists, funders, arts
organizations, and the general public can access NYFA Source for free.

The Wallace Foundation

For more than a decade, The Wallace Foundation has worked to expand learning and enrichment opportunities for all people. Our efforts toward this goal have yielded important insights and lessons, and we have designed our website to make this knowledge more accessible to visitors.  We especially invite you to browse the Knowledge Center. It is a repository of field-based evidence of what is working, what is not, and why - not only in our current areas of focus, but in areas where we have worked in the past

A Very Small Arts Fund

A Very Small Arts Fund is a very small arts fund for very small arts organizations and individual performing artists that gives very small grants of $1 to $1,500. The Fund is open to artists and organizations that are performing and/or living in Minneapolis or St. Paul.

For a more complete list of local funders, contact the Minnesota Council on Foundations or The Foundation Center.

Management Training Providers

Springboard for the Arts

Springboard for the Arts provides management workshops, consulting, telephone referrals, a resource library and more for artists and nonprofit organizations.

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota offers computer training in many programs at all levels.

Nonprofits Assistance Fund

Nonprofits Assistance Fund (NAF) helps foster community development and vitality by building financially healthy nonprofit organizations. NAF provides loans, financial management workshops and financial management assistance to stabilize and strengthen the financial capacity of nonprofit organizations in Minnesota.

Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits (MAP)

MAP provides consulting and other management support services by linking volunteer professionals with nonprofit needs.

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)

MCN is a nonprofit membership organization. MCN publishes the MN Nonprofit Directory, MN Grants Directory, and a Nonprofit Yellow Pages: a Directory of Resources and Services for MN Nonprofits.

Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF)

MCF offers a Grantsmanship for Beginners workshop, Guide to MN Foundations and Corporate Giving, and conducts a survey of MN capital and endowment campaigns.

Hands On Twin Cities

The Volunteer Center has programs and services designed for organizations which rely on the help of volunteers.

Technology

TechSoup.org

Offers nonprofits one-stop shopping for their technology needs. Billed as a gateway to the entire world of nonprofit technology assistance and solutions, they have compiled resource lists of nonprofit discounts offered by hardware and software companies, and by technology assistance agencies.

TechSoup Global

Founded in 1987 as CompuMentor, TechSoup Global is a recognized leader in bringing technological empowerment and philanthropy to social benefit organizations- including nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations, libraries and other social change agents.

Network for Good/Helping.org

Network for Good is a nonprofit collaboration to help nonprofit organizations increase capacity, reach new audiences, and build Internet strategies.