IFP MINNESOTA CENTER FOR MEDIA ARTS

"Through the years and projects, IFP MN has been there lending us unending encouragement and support." - Wyatt McDill/Megan Huber, writer, producer, director of "Four Boxes."

IFP Minnesota is celebrating its 25th year in 2012. We’re proud of our track record of providing programs and services for the media arts community, and excited about continuing our work in the years to come. Despite the ups and downs of the economy, IFP MN has remained consistent and true to its mission to advance a vibrant and diverse community of independent film and media artists through networking, education, funding, and opportunities for showcasing their work.

Independent film and photography enriches the universal language, seeds the global culture with new ideas, kindles awareness and fosters activism. Through our workshops, conferences, seminars, mentorships and grants, IFP MN provides the resources media artists need to master the art, technology and business of independent media. We have championed the early work of pioneering independent filmmakers Ali Selim, (Sweetland), Patrick Coyle, (Into Temptation), Melody Gilbert, (Fritz: The Walter Mondale Story), and Michael Starrbury, (The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, starring Jennifer Hudson).

Photographers have found IFP MN’s Gallery to be a professionally managed exhibition space that draws regional and national recognition. IFP exhibitions build careers by drawing significant audience numbers to each new exhibit. Established artists Dan Dennehy, Ann Marsden, Wing Young Huie, Tom Arndt, and Kristine Heykants have presented new work, and rising stars including Evan Baden, Carrie Thompson, Amy Anderson and Eric Ruby have exhibited at IFP.

Some of our accomplishments over the past 25 years include:

• $2.4 million in grants, license fees and fellowships to individual artists since 1995.

• 12,500 artists and students in classes, workshops and conferences since 2005.

• Over 4000 high school students taught video production in high school residencies and IFP MN’s afterschool program since 2006.

• 350 photographers in exhibitions at IFP MN’s Photography Gallery

• 1000 advance level filmmakers participated in professional development workshops, directors’ roundtables and case studies since 2009.

• Hundreds of films and thousands of photographs have been created using IFP MN’s equipment, computer lab and darkrooms.

• Numerous community groups have used IFP MN’s Center for Media Arts for meetings and activities, and dozens of partnerships have been formed with IFP to create local and national opportunities for artists.

• Over 1 million people have experienced new work through IFP screenings, broadcasts on TPT, SPNN and MTN, and photography openings.

• Independent media artists have raised $1.5 million in production funding through IFP’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program in the past 4 years!

• IFP MN staff met one-on-one with 325 IFP Members in 2011 and consulted on careers, fundraising, production, grant programs, film festivals, marketing and distribution.

We’ve put even more resources into working with high school students in the Youth Media Program to step in for schools that are eliminating their arts education budgets, and we have increased our service to underserved kids with a no-cost after-school program. More focus is being dedicated to further develop professional programs for our emerging and advanced media artists. As IFP steps into the next stage of our life cycle, we are confident that we will continue to serve all ages and skill levels of the media artist community in a meaningful way.

IFP Minnesota exists to provide accessible and affordable programs for film and photography makers and audiences. Our partnerships with public schools and our essential program for media makers of all levels are ongoing priorities for IFP. Your donation–no matter the size–will have a significant impact. We understand that the economy has affected all of us, but please make a gift to support IFP Minnesota. We truly appreciate you and your support of IFP MN.

“What a fantastic conference you and your talented staff put together! My head is swimming with all of the great info and it was also a springboard for creative discussions as we move forward in our next feature. Thank you for the scholarship and support!”

- Jennifer Kramer, Producer/Filmmaker