About Arts Midwest World Fest
Arts Midwest World Fest presents international musical ensembles in intensive week-long residencies in smaller Midwest communities. Its purpose is to foster an understanding of and appreciation for global uniqueness and differences.
Arts Midwest World Fest’s objectives are to:
- present high-caliber, accessible international artists to small- or mid-sized Midwest communities;
- provide a multifaceted experience to community residents, particularly young people;
- integrate the artists and their music into a broader social, cultural, political, and historical framework;
- encourage young people to explore issues and understand concerns of diverse cultures; and
- create a lasting musical and cultural impact on participants.
Each cycle of Arts Midwest World Fest occurs over a two year period in which four global musical ensembles conduct week-long intensive residencies in selected communities throughout the Midwest. The residencies consist of school concerts, workshops, and outreach activities, and culminate in a public concert.
To extend the cultural experience to the classroom, Arts Midwest provides participating communities with a curriculum that helps students and teachers better understand and appreciate the customs and traditions of the visiting ensembles. We hope that studying other cultures will spark a lasting curiosity in both teachers and students that will result in further exploration of the diverse and fascinating cultures of the world.
An Arts Midwest initiative, the 2011-13 Arts Midwest World Fest is generously sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, 3M Foundation, and MetLife Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China for Tarim, and the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest for Yamma Ensemble. Additional funding is provided by the Chinese Heritage Foundation Grants Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
Arts Midwest World Fest is also generously supported by Illinois Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission, Iowa Arts Council, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Minnesota State Arts Board, North Dakota Council on the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, South Dakota Arts Council, and Wisconsin Arts Board.
