Another topic that came up many times is how lucky we are to be in Minnesota where the Legacy amendment provides funding for the arts. Our own Riverside Market and Muse and my trip to the Summit were both funded through the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council using Legacy dollars. Minnesota is the top funded state in the country for the arts.
I also had a great visit on Friday, June 9 with Erik Takeshita from the Bush Foundation who I met at the conference. He wanted to visit small towns that are involved with the arts and get ideas for community projects and I'm helping to develop a proposal for funding a small project in Granite Falls.
The creative ideas continued back in Granite Falls at the Sod House Theater workshops that happened Thursday through Saturday June 8- 10. Public Transformation's bus was again in Granite Falls with Ashley Hanson and Brian Laidlaw who are creating the music part of the play. If you would like to participate in either the acting or music, spots are still available. Contact the chamber office at 320-564-4039.
It was great to host these professional actors and musicians in preparation for "An Enemy of the People" which will have performances on August 18, 19 and 20. After visiting our town locations again, it was decided the play will have three acts, the first in Rice Park, the second near the Popcorn Stand and the third in the American Legion. You can purchase advance tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com and they will be available by July 1 at the chamber office and Legion.