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Arts and Cultural Heritage Project

From the Minnesota State Legislature homepage: "In 2008, Minnesota voters passed a constitutional amendment, often referred to as the 'Legacy Amendment,' that increased the state’s sales tax by 3/8ths of 1 percent for 25 years . The funds raised by this tax are dedicated to four separate funds that each receive a specific percentage of the revenues: Outdoor Heritage Fund (33 percent), Clean Water Fund (33 percent), the Parks and Trails Fund (14.25 percent), and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (19.75 percent). The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) is a state fund that 'may be spent only for arts, arts education, and arts access and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage.'"

As a member of the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations (AMPERS), KMSU Radio is one of several organizations in Minnesota that is able to use this funding to support a wide variety of events to create broadcast content for the community. Many of these events and projects would not be possible without Arts & Cultural Heritage Funding, so we'd like to say thank you to the voters of Minnesota for supporting the Legacy Amendment. Your decision has made Minnesota an even more vibrant place to live.

2023 Arts & Cultural Heritage Funding

MINNESOTA MUSIC CHANNEL
KMSU embarked on an ambitious initiative to launch the Minnesota Music Channel, an online streaming and Hybrid Digital (HD) radio platform meticulously curated to spotlight the rich tapestry of Minnesota’s musical landscape. This dedicated channel serves as a comprehensive showcase, not only amplifying the melodies of Minnesota musicians but also incorporating insightful interviews and programming that delve deep into the intricacies of their craft. To realize this vision, KMSU made strategic investments in Hybrid Digital (HD) equipment, enhancing its broadcast transmitter capabilities to allow for a digital signal, essentially a second radio station, dedicated exclusively to Minnesota music and musicians. A quote taken from KMSU media coverage by Mankato Free Press, Shelley Pierce, a KMSU radio co-host, aptly noted, “While its current rendition is captivating, the potential for further enrichment is palpable.”

LARGE OUTDOOR MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
KMSU played an instrumental role in amplifying Southern Minnesota’s vibrant music and arts culture by actively supporting multiple Large Outdoor Music and Arts Festival Performances throughout the year. The project included a notable collaboration with the Rock Bend Folk Festival, an annual musical event that follows Labor Day weekend, drawing an impressive crowd of around 10,000 attendees. Additionally, KMSU’s Large Outdoor Music and Arts Festival Performances project extended to promoting and enhancing the reach of community events such as Alive After Five and Songs on the Lawn. These free outdoor concerts, held at the Civic Center Plaza in downtown Mankato, showcased a blend of local and regional talent, curated in partnership with Greater Mankato Growth and the City Center Partnership. Further expanding its cultural footprint for the Large Outdoor Music and Arts Festival Performances, KMSU collaborated with the Austin Artworks Festival, a two-day celebration spotlighting local artists, and spotlighted events at Wheeler Park in North Mankato and Minnesota Square Park in St. Peter. A pivotal moment in this lineup was the Ambassador’s Bluesfest, often held as the inaugural event ushering in Southern Minnesota’s lively summer of arts and music festivities.

The station’s programming spectrum was enriched with tailored segments such as the 59-minute Minnesota Original Music Festival review and live broadcasts spanning three hours of the Rock Bend Folk Festival. Additional content included a 30-minute review for Blues on Belgrade, comprehensive previews for Songs on the Lawn, Austin Artworks, The Ambassador’s Bluesfest, and a succinct 10-minute preview for Music in the Park. With an estimated reach of 5,000 listeners per segment, KMSU’s strategic initiatives not only showcased a diverse array of arts, crafts, and musical genres but also fostered a sense of community engagement.

COLLABORATION WITH THE ARTS CENTER OF ST. PETER
KMSU enhanced a dynamic partnership with the Art Center of St. Peter, orchestrating a compelling series of music events as part of the Collaboration with the Arts Center of St. Peter initiative. Functioning as an intersection of promotional, financial, and hosting support, KMSU amplified local jazz talent through five well-curated events at the Pavilion in Minnesota Square Park in St. Peter. The lineup showcased artists such as Masa Ishikawa, Liz Draper and Friends, Steely Ann, EZ Jazz Trio, and Joe Tougas and Associates, drawing an enthusiastic audience totaling approximately 820 attendees. Beyond live performances, this collaboration extended its creative reach with a captivating radio drama production of Plan 9 From Outer Space, enlisting community members to lend their voices to this 59-minute broadcast. Further enriching the project’s tapestry was the Pageant and Singalong Nation Midlife Recital, a poignant live music performance where community members rendered songs that resonated with them during the challenging pandemic period.

In alignment with the project’s objectives, KMSU amplified these collaborations through three one-hour programs, reaching an estimated on-air audience of about 5,000 listeners. This expansive platform not only showcased live recordings from these events but also spotlighted local residents who contributed their creative prowess to the radio drama production. The collective resonance of these endeavors was noticeable, as evidenced by the enthusiastic reception from listeners and participants alike.

COLLABORATION WITH MSU DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE SERIES
KMSU collaborated closely with the Music Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) to curate a distinctive concert series under the banner Collaboration with MSU Department of Music Performance Series. This ambitious project showcased a diverse lineup of Minnesota-based artists, including notable names such as Cactus Blossoms, Scott Miller, John Wright, Erik Koskinen, Molly Dean Anderson, City Mouse, and Sarah Morris. Integral to this initiative was the invaluable hands-on experience provided to MSU’s Music Department students, allowing them to immerse themselves in the practical aspects of concert production and audio technology. Over the course of the yearlong project, the series culminated in five live events, each drawing an impressive audience of approximately 500 attendees.

To amplify the project’s reach and impact, KMSU crafted a 59-minute broadcast segment encapsulating the sound of these live events. This segment, which attracted about 5,000 on-air listeners, was shared with a broader audience through Public Radio Exchange (PRX).

MANKATO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RECORDINGS
KMSU spearheaded the Mankato Symphony Orchestra Recordings project, a comprehensive endeavor encompassing the production, recording, editing, and broadcast of four meticulously crafted stereo recordings of Mankato Symphony Orchestra (MSO) concerts. With the primary goal of enhancing accessibility to local classical music, the project aimed to bring the richness of orchestral performances to the airwaves for Southern Minnesota residents. The live concerts were captured with professional precision, utilizing multiple microphones and state-of-theart digital equipment. These recordings were then expertly edited into four distinct 60 to 90-minute shows, featuring compelling works by renowned composers such as Nikolai RimskyKorsakov, Howard Blake, Michael Abels, Joan Tower, and Dimitri Shostakovich. The broadcast of each performance typically occurred the Sunday following the live event, marking the culmination of this ten-month project.

The impact of KMSU’s Mankato Symphony Orchestra Recordings was substantial, reaching an estimated audience of 5,000 listeners per segment. Expanding the project’s reach, the station made these recordings accessible on the Public Radio Exchange (PRX), and concerted efforts were undertaken to share them with various broadcast partners. The project garnered commendation from the MSO, with Executive Director Dr. Bethel Balge, and Ernesto Estibarribia, Music Director and Conductor, expressing appreciation for being interviewed before each recorded performance was featured.

MAHKATO WACIPI (POW WOW)
KMSU played a role in amplifying the 50th Annual Mahkato Traditional Wacipi, an esteemed Indian Pow Wow held at Dakota Wokiksuye Makoce, through its Legacy project Mahkato Wacipi (Pow Wow). In alignment with the event’s profound vision statement, which underscores the Mahkato Mdewakanton Association’s commitment to reconciliation and cultural preservation, KMSU produced a compelling 20-minute interview. This segment not only promoted the Mahkato Wacipi (Pow Wow) but also enlightened listeners about its historical significance. Mahkato Traditional Wacipi vision statement reads that “in the spirit of reconciliation, Mahkato Mdewakanton Association is committed to healing and enriching the experiences of Dakota and non-Dakota communities through the preservation and sharing of Dakota history, traditions, and culture.” The Pow Wow took place at the Land of Memories Park in Mankato and honored the 38 Dakota members who were killed in the largest mass execution in the United States. This gathering of nations celebrated and honored traditions and ancestors, with the goal of reconciliation and bridge-building between all nations through education, storytelling, and the sharing of Dakota Indian culture. Mahkato Wacipi (Pow Wow) was a three-month project.

SMALL VENUE MUSIC & ARTS PERFORMANCES
KMSU played an important role in enhancing and promoting Southern Minnesota’s vibrant music and arts scene by actively publicizing and contributing to a diverse array of Small Venue Music and Arts Performances in the Mankato and St. Peter area. This multifaceted project saw KMSU collaborate with local venues and businesses, showcasing 27 live events that collectively drew a lively audience of approximately 2,500 attendees. The station also curated and aired five on-air shows, each showcasing hour-long performances that captured the essence of the region’s diverse musical tapestry as part of this yearlong project.

Among the standout events was the Golden Hour series, a melodious journey that brought local music acts to the outdoor patio of the Wine Café in downtown Mankato. KMSU produced a one-hour review of Golden Hour featuring selected performances recorded live at the event. The Music Events at Mankato Makerspace series, hosted at the nonprofit creative studio Mankato Makerspace, provided a platform for local musicians to captivate audiences while introducing newcomers to this vibrant artistic community. The impactful Juneteenth celebration in Civic Center Plaza honored African American independence, fostering a space for cultural appreciation, empowerment, and the support of Black-owned businesses.

The station also produced Free Form Freaktout Presents, two 30- to 60-minute performances recorded and featured on Free Form Freaktout, an hour-long review show of Keeping it Local Presents, a showcase of local singer-songwriters at The Enchanted Muse in Mankato, and an hour-long show entitled KMSU Presents, which featured selected performances recorded during the various live events associated with the project. The expansive KMSU Presents series featured 11 music performances at various small venues, enriching the local cultural landscape. These on-air elements gave listeners increased exposure to professional performing arts and the work of professional Minnesota artists.