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Referring to the Legacy Amendment monies as a "bright spot for our region," Mary Minnick-Daniels, of the East Central Regional Arts Council, says she has spread good news lately about the revenues generated through a voter-approved sales tax. Saturday she was at Franconia Sculpture Park for the honor of presenting the first east central round of monies made possible by the citizens of Minnesota.

Minnick-Daniels coordinates arts programs in the multi-county territory administered by the East Central Regional Development Commission and shared that a total of 11 individuals and organizations received this first-ever distribution of funding in this granting cycle.

There's another application deadline in August. Non-profits, community groups, units of government, public schools and individual artists may apply for these arts and cultural heritage fund grants.

Guidelines to help qualify for this round of funding will become available July 1.

Details at www.ecrdc.org/ECAC apps 2010.htm

The referendum amended the state constitution to provide a dedicated source of funding to environmental and arts initiatives for 25 years.

Minnick-Daniels said it is a pleasure to be able to provide support for efforts like Pine Center for the Arts, the Kanabec County History Center, Braham Pie Day Public Art Program and the East Central Minnesota Chorale's new high school honors choir program. The single artists receiving funding include: Valorie Arrowsmith, Stanchfield, $2,500; Shelley Bragelman, Mora $2,500; Ian Dudley of Lindstrom $2,500; Terri Huro, Mora, $2,500; Dee Kotaska, Brook Park $2,500 and Kelli Maag, Ogilvie $2,447.

The sculpture park will use its $8,750 to install a public address system.

Sheila Smith, representing MN Citizens for the Arts, applauded the Franconia Sculpture Park for "...the great work you are doing to pump up the careers of artists."

Representative Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, said the amendment monies will help to strengthen the quality of life in Minnesota over the next 25 years. Kalin said exposure to the arts "sparks creative thinking" which is a vital skill of successful leaders in all walks of life; be they politicians, accountants or school principals.

FYI...

The Franconia Sculpture Park is open from dawn to dusk. Located at the corner of Hwys. 95 and 8, south of Taylors Falls, the park is a great place where people of all ages can be outdoors and up close and personal with the three dimensional art.

On Saturday many visitors stopped by earlier in the day before a summer storm rolled across the area. Photos show visitors posing for a snapshot atop the sculpture "Skinscape" by Trever Nicholas.

It's a 2007 piece made of earth and stained concrete.

A young girl also enjoyed clambering on an "Untitled" installation of random chairs and couches. Created in 2009 by an arts intern from Scotland, Rosalind Thomson, it is a magnet for the curious.

Admission to Franconia Sculpture Park is a freewill donation. See the FSP website for a calendar of events like this summer's children's sculpture daycamps and outdoor stage happenings.

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