SMAC Going Virtual Grants

We have given out a total of six Going Virtual Grants, and we still have funds designated for six more!

Start your application today: click here.

Provides up to $1,000 to arts organizations in the SMAC service region for equipment or technology that will allow them to provide virtual events and programming. Applicants can also use the funds to participate in “go-virtual” training or consultations. No match requirements.

Past recipients include:

AMP (Arts & Mentoring Project) of Pipestone was awarded $1,000 to purchase a Zoom video camera, a 6 channel handheld Zoom audio recorder, and data storage for future recording, virtual, and streaming capabilities. This equipment will be used to film students for virtual recitals and upcoming projects and performances.

Big Stone Arts Council of Ortonville was awarded $1,000 to purchase a Zoom pro account and multiple high-speed drives to store and backup virtual content being created to accommodate the health of their arts organization during the pandemic. Examples provided by the council of types of projects, both current and potential, for storing on these devices are: Individual Member of the Month videos (showcasing member profiles and interviews), Music on Main jam sessions, Mystery Theatre Radio Show, and art classes. The applicant said “all of these will serve to highlight the work, training, and influences of our collective and help us attract new members.”

The Crow River Players of New London have been awarded $1,000 to support The New London’s Little Theatre‘s Online Open Mic project. The organization plans to open the stage to the community for a virtual open mic show that will stream online in real-time. This will be the first of a monthly series held at the theatre beginning February 12. The applicant explained, “to improve the picture quality of our livestream the funds from this grant would go toward the purchase of a high definition video recorder and a video mixer/switcher which will allow us to work with multiple video feeds.”

The Granite Area Arts Council was awarded $826. The Granite Area Arts Council (GAAC) is planning to use the funds to purchase a Zoom subscription for one year to use it for online classes to reach larger audiences in a safe manner. They also plan to pay Open Voices for one-on-one consultations on taking their arts to digital spaces. The applicant said their organization had volunteers and trainees who who benefit from this training as they are currently unfamiliar with the technology. The GAAC will be purchasing equipment to assist in going virtual, such as a microphone, tripod, stabilizer and lighting to use with their existing tablet and personal phones.

The Marshall Area Stage Company (MASC) was awarded $1,000 to purchase a high quality video camera and related accessories to film rehearsals, promotions, and performances to share with their audience via Facebook, YouTube and other virtual outlets. The applicant explained, “A member of our committee for this project will be writing up a simple instruction guide that can be kept with the camera kit, and can offer instruction and support to those using it. As with other MASC equipment, it may be possible to loan this kit to other arts organizations or to be the videographer for other area productions.”

The Pipestone Performing Arts Center (PPAC) has been awarded $1,000 to purchase data storage and a piano microphone to support their virtual performance series. The applicant said “being able to make quality recordings and filming of community musicians, artists, performers and releasing the finished videos online and on public-access television for the community to view is keeping the lifeline of the PPAC. Continuing with these virtual performances allows us to continue bringing the arts to the people of our community and keeping local artists active while adhering to coronavirus restrictions and safety guidelines.”