​Executive Director's Report

Executive Director’s Report
February 2019
 
Finances
  • Cash flow: Barring any major surprises, our cash flow situation is fine through the end of the fiscal year, and relatively unchanged since last month. In the next month or so, I will be working on the cash flow chart through early FY20 – in conjunction with early drafts of the FY20 budget – so that we can be prepared for what has typically been a lean time in previous years (August/September).


Fundraising
  • Grants:
    • MSAB Arts Access: As you know, Cantus secured a grant to work with Voices of Hope, a choir of inmates at the Shakopee correctional facility – but staff changes at the facility led to our plan being rejected. Over last the month, Jeff reached through his network to the prison warden, which set the stage for Jake and I to have a call with the warden for operations. It became clear that the prison misunderstood the scope of our request, and they have tentatively given us permission to proceed. We are going through the background-check process now, and they have scheduled a prison orientation session for the ensemble next month. I am cautiously optimistic that we will be able to do most – if not all – of our originally proposed work with Voices of Hope.
    • MSAB Arts Learning: Cantus applied for a project grant to continue its work with the Minnesota Boychoir. Sam and I structured the proposal to allow Cantus to work with the Boychoir’s Allegro ensemble, which includes boys whose voices have just changed. Over the course of the 2019-20 school year, Cantus would work with the students as they adapt to new roles as tenors and basses, and offer an introduction to the chamber music process. We will be notified of the proposal’s outcome in July.
    • New Music USA: Cantus applied for a grant to commission a piece by Catherine Dalton for next year’s fall/touring program, “One Giant Leap.”
    • NEA: Shortly after the government reopened, Cantus received its payment of $12,500 from the NEA. I will submit the paperwork for the remaining $12,500 of our grant in June/July.
    • Grants received:
      • Surdna Foundation: $5,000 for general operating (not budgeted)
 
General and Admin
  • Focus groups: Thank you to Beth Anne for leading a second compelling focus group on Feb. 9. This group also included 11 individuals, approximately evenly split between subscribers and single-ticket buyers.   
  • Lakewood Cemetery: As mentioned briefly at last board meeting, I am discussing with Lakewood Cemetery the opportunity to perform on their music series. We have tentatively settled on two one-hour performances in the Lakewood Chapel on Sunday, July 14, and are currently contracting this.