Southern Theater Announces Call For Artists!

The Southern Theater has opened its call for artist for those interested in presenting work now through the summer of 2020. Proposals will be accepted until February 22, 2019 with more presenting options available than in previous years.

New this year is a program that will allow 3-4 artists to be part of a cohort series thanks to an Arts Access Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. AMPLIFY: to make larger, greater, stronger: to increase in strength. The AMPLIFY series will give voice and a platform to underrepresented stories that need to be heard. Through different performance genres and artistic styles, cohort members will share their message, experiences and process, culminating in public performances of their work. Artists will also participate in panel discussions and student performance, something The Southern programming has not offered recently.

Other presenting options include a more traditional rental. The Southern has been almost exclusively a shared revenue presenter since the launch of the ARTshare program in 2015. While some of these partnership slots are available, other groups and organizations find an upfront cost fits better with their operating model. More choices broaden the opportunity for a wider range of artists to present their work.

The expansion comes in response to a number of challenges impacting many of the nonprofit arts organizations today. Two of the most pressing issues facing The Southern are artists' need for space and the costs associated with operating a venue.

"We are responding to the challenges that many are facing, finding the balance between rising cost, fewer foundation and grant funds, increased competition for limited dollars, donor giving trends decreasing, audience engagement shifting; all of this makes it necessary for us to adapt and be responsive," says acting Executive Director Janette Davis.

With more and more performance spaces closing, artists need more options to be able to share their work. Davis says by staying nimble, The Southern will be able to better serve the community as a whole.

The Southern is also exploring special Monday night mini-programs that educate, inform and broaden the Southern's reach to artist, audience and community. This includes showcase evenings, new works in progress and various outreach and community engagement programs.

In addition to revised programming, The Southern has some new faces under the arch.

Program Associate, Kaleena Miller (Kaleena Miller Dance, Twin Cities Tap Festival), Production Coordinator and Front of House Manager, Kelly Turpin (Arbeit Opera Theater) Production Supervisor, Mark Ruark (Rhythmic Circus), and Media Intern, Andy Glischinski (Winona State University) join acting Executive Director, Janette Davis, Graphic Artist Galen Higgins (Schubert Club), and Sequoia Hauck (Administrative Services, on sabbatical until spring) to round out the staff.

Those interested in submitting proposals can find more information at www.southerntheater.org. Accepted submissions will be announcements after March 15, 2019.

The Southern Theater opened its doors on March 1, 1910 and remains one of the Twin Cities most active historic theater venues. Each year The Southern Theater is host to an outstanding season of programing including dance, theater, music, live concert performances, film, spoken word and mixed media, all highlighting a celebration of local artistry under the historic arch. Follow us @SouthernTheater on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Those interested in presenting at The Southern can send inquiries to info@southerntheater.org. Tickets can be purchased at www.southerntheater.org

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