Accomplishments
With the hiring of Education Coordinator Mary Johnson, Franconia has been able to expand our education and outreach programming, including partnerships with Project for Pride in Living and Pillsbury United Communities, and newly created online educational activities. Franconia continues to offer our Kids Make Sculpture Workshops as well as educational workshops related to our Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour where participants are able to create their own cast metal sculptures. The interest and participation in our education and outreach programming has been astounding. With a waiting list for every single Kids Make Sculpture Workshop in 2010 and an amazing 1,634 attendees to our Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour we are continuing to support and expand all of our educational programming.
The 2010 3-D Concert Series was an amazing success with 1,260 attendees over the course of the 8 events from June 12th through October 9th, featuring local and regional performing artists. We are expecting even more audience members as we move forward in 2011.
Both the Education Shelter and the Community Meeting Space were completed for use in 2010.
On July 21, 2010 Franconia expanded its board of directors to include Amy Hertel, Peter Curtis and Gar Hargens bringing the current number of board members up to 12.
Current Goals
In addition to administering all of our Artist Residency programs and continuous sculpture exhibition, Franconia will further expand its partnerships with at-risk youth organizations. It will begin to participate in the Northeast Minneapolis artists' community by creating a "satellite" sculpture park there, as well as participating in Art-a-Whirl. It will have a celebration and fund-raising event for its 15th Anniversary. It will continue to develop its 3-D Concert Series, reaching out to a wide audience and enhancing its branding of the series.
Community or Constituency Served
3-D artists at all stages of their careers, general public in East Central MN, West Central WI, 12-county Twin Cities Metro area, K-college schools, pre-K programs, at-risk youth organizations, general public from across the U.S.
Geographic Area Served
Principally east central Minnesota, west central Wisconsin, the St. Croix River Valley, and the greater Twin Cities metro area
Impact and Programs