Tony Williams from the Science Museum of Minnesota here, writing to give you some updates on our RACE in Rochester project. Things have been going very well, and we're looking forward to continuing our work over the coming months! More information about the exhibit, as well as some funding opportunities, is below.
We installed the exhibit at Apache Mall, with help from an incredible array of sponsors (listed at the bottom of this email) in early December, just in time for the holiday rush, giving people an opportunity to see the exhibit who may never have come across it otherwise. Special thanks to Rochester Public Library and Diversity Council, who led the charge, and also created some unique displays discussing the indigenous history of Olmstead county, as well as including more information about the Apache tribes of the Southwestern United States. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us ensure that the exhibit at the mall was a success!
RACE at Rochester Public Library
Next week, we'll be moving the exhibit from the mall to the first floor of Rochester Public Library, where it will be displayed through the first week of May. We need your help getting the word out about the exhibit, so please let folks know that it's there! The exhibit is free to attend, and will be open the same hours as the library.
As part of the exhibit being installed at the library, the Science Museum will have some resources available for community groups who want to host events or programs about race and racism in Rochester. Any group or individual can apply for $250, $500, or $1000 in funds! More information, as well as English and Spanish versions of the application, can be found here: https://goo.gl/forms/jiO5ZIZUpDe6biM42. Applications are due by February 22nd, and we'll be working with our advisory council (also listed below) to evaluate the proposals the week of the 25th. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
We've also recently been made aware of a funding opportunity through the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative, who runs the Overcoming Racism conference in St. Paul every year. They're accepting grant applications that aim to deepen conversations around race and racism in Greater Minnesota as well. Applications are open on a rolling basis, and you can find more information here: http://overcomingracism.org/programs/greater-minnesota-partnerships/.
We appreciate all of your help on bringing the exhibit to Rochester so far, and we can't wait to see what lies ahead. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns or ideas for ways we can work together!
Science Museum of Minnesota
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RACE at Apache Mall Sponsors
Science Museum of Minnesota
American Anthropological Association
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Collaborative Leadership Fellows
Minnesota Children's Museum - Rochester
Rochester Community and Technical College
RACE in Rochester Advisory Council
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Impact Lvl1: Best Practice, Caring Relationship, Civic Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, Sustainability