16 Feb Vail Place Awarded 2018 Partners in Arts Participation Grant
We are pleased to announce that Vail Place has received the Partners in Arts Participation Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. The $23,589 grant will be used for our Vail Place Theater Arts Program.
The Vail Place Theater Arts Program allows members at the Hopkins and Minneapolis clubhouses to work directly with Teaching Artists from St. Paul’s History Theatre to develop performance pieces based on their life experiences. The program spans 15-week workshops. Creative writing and other theatrical exercises help members express themselves in a way that’s been described as illuminating and cathartic. Members then perform their pieces at a special performance at St. Paul’s History Theatre, featuring scenes, monologues, poetry, song and dance.
“Since starting this program we’ve learned that members working with professional theater artists results in a collaboration and exploration that is highly creative and reveals human courage, pain, joy and resilience in a way that directly benefits everyone involved,” said Stefano LoVerso, Director of External Affairs for Vail Place. “We’re fortunate to live in a state that supports important programs like this one. Not only do program participants benefit, but the awareness and understanding this project promotes serve an important function for the broader community. It helps send the message that early, effective mental health treatment saves lives.”
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
