Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant
To enhance fair visitors' ability to view local artwork at the Freeborn County Fair, by installing track lighting and purchasing new display cases for 2-D and 3-D exhibits in the Creative Arts and Crafts building. Funds will also be used to bring new programming to the fair. Ben Franklin will live at the fair and converse with visitors, bringing with him historically accurate replicas of furniture, clothing, and cookware. Visitors can watch or participate in building a log cabin with turn of the century tools. The New Ulm Battery will fire a cannon multiple times throughout the fair in Civil War era uniforms. Block printing on fabric demonstrations will also be hosted by the fair.
Pat Coleman: Acquisitions Librarian at the Minnesota Historical Society.
Sue Ellingsen: Former middle school band director at Blue Earth Area Public School. 2006 Blue Earth Area Teacher of the Year.
Jamey Flannery: Project Manager at Flannery Construction. Has full range of general contracting experience, from new construction to remodeling to improving historical structures.
Dan Grunhovd: Former president of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs.
Ron Oleheiser: District 8 Representative of the Minnesota State Fair.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to county agricultural societies to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota's history and cultural heritage as embodied in its county fairs. The grants shall be in addition to the aid distributed to county agricultural societies under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02. The commissioner shall award grants as follows: (2) $700,000 each year for a competitive Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants Program-County Fairs. The commissioner shall award grants for the development or enhancement of county fair facilities or other projects or programs that provide access to the arts, arts education, or agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage programs, including but not limited to agricultural education centers, arts buildings, and performance stages.
Track audience numbers and collect comments.
Increased traffic in the Creative Arts and Crafts building. New lighting over the quilt exhibit and new shelving to display photography were popular improvements.Mix of audience interest at the various events. Will try new venue locations for certain events in future years.
Norman Fredin
Michael Woitas
Larry Irvine
Paul Hansen
Troy Thompson
Don Nolander