Jerome Foundation Supports Emerging Visual Artists, Writers and Dancers

The Jerome Foundation, St. Paul, supported the development and presentation of new works by emerging visual artists, writers and dancers in Minnesota as part of its February 2004 grants.

In visual art, the Duluth Art Institute received an 18-month grant of $22,500 from Jerome to support the participation of emerging artists in its exhibition program. The Institute is a non-collecting visual art center whose mission is to enrich daily life with dynamic, innovative visual arts programming. It operates in two Duluth sites, the historic Union Depot and the Lincoln Park neighborhood, where it annually presents 16 to 18 exhibitions in three galleries, showing approximately 350 artists and attracting approximately 50,000 visitors.

The foundation also awarded $22,000 for No Name Exhibitions @ The Soap Factory, Minneapolis, to support the participation of emerging Minnesota and New York City artists in the 2004 exhibition program. No Name Exhibitions @ The Soap Factory supports and exhibits the work of emerging visual artists; enhances the public's understanding of and appreciation for artistic expression; and fosters strength and vitality in the arts, cultural and educational communities of the Twin Cities. The 2004 season includes a show of works by the artist volunteers who worked on behalf of the organization in 2003; "Your Heart Is No Match for My Love," a group show of 14 artists; a group exhibition of 12 artists who develop and exhibit their work in alternative venues; and a show of works by 50 Twin Cities art students and recent graduates of the University of Minnesota, the College of Visual Arts, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, St. Olaf College and Macalester College, coinciding with the conference of the Mid-America College Art Association.

In literature, Jerome supported the work of emerging writers with a $55,000 grant to The Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis, for the Mentor Series, an intensive program that matches emerging developing writers with nationally recognized mentors in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, with the aim of creating strong and meaningful relationships. Coffee House Press, Minneapolis, received $25,000 for the publication of three books by emerging authors: a second book by Mark Nowak, a text by poet Stephen Healey, and a first book by Selah Saterstrom.

In dance, the foundation awarded a two-year grant of $24,000 to support of the creation and development of new work by Catalyst, a seven-member contemporary dance company under the direction of Emily Johnson. Ragamala Music and Dance Theater, Minneapolis, received $8,000 for the creation and production of a new work by choreographer Aparna Ramaswamy.

Other Minnesota recipients of recent Jerome Foundation grants include:

• Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, $34,000 for emerging artists' residencies.
     
• IFP Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minneapolis, a two-year grant of $64,000 for "MNTV," which provides a television broadcast venue for makers of short film and video work, and nurtures audiences for that work.
     
• Minnesota Center for Photography, Minneapolis, $25,000 for the participation of emerging photographers in its 2004 exhibitions.
     
• Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis, two grants totaling $38,500 for the readings of new plays by emerging playwrights from Minnesota and New York City, and the production of new works by emerging playwrights on the mainstage.

In total, the Jerome Foundation board of directors approved 33 grants totaling $719,326 on Feb. 27, 2004. For more information about these grants, please contact Jerome Foundation vice president Vickie Benson, program officer Robert Byrd or president Cynthia Gehrig at 651/224-9431 or 800/995-3766.

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