13.6.114.068 Application
Aequalis, Inc.

Proposal Information

Item	Response
Application #	13.6.114.068
Program	General Program Support
Proposal Type	Discipline-Based
Funding Category	Level 1
Discipline	Multidisciplinary
Applicant is requesting REDI waiver	N/A
Residency Contact Hours	N/A
Proposal Synopsis	The Core Ensemble will tour five multicultural music theatre works in Florida and around the U.S The ensemble will offer a residency program for rural audiences in Palm Beach County, resulting in the creation and performance of a new music theatre work based on oral histories. A community project, celebrating African American music and poetry, will provide educational programs to schools and organizations in South Florida.

Applicant Information

Item	Response
Corporate Name	Aequalis, Inc.
Department	N.A.
DBA Name	The Core Ensemble
Federal Employer ID	11-2798348
Principal Address	1320 N. Palmway Lake Worth, FL 33460-1902
County	Palm Beach
Applicant Email Address	margot@core-ensemble.cc
Grant Contact	Margot Emery, Managing Director
Authorized Official	Michael Parola, Executive Director
Website	www.coreensemble.com

Mission Statement

The mission of The Core Ensemble is to produce and perform chamber music theatre programs for diverse audiences exploring multicultural and humanistic topics, with the goals of:

1) promoting intercultural understanding,
2) exploring issues of human rights,
3) providing arts education programs that support educational standards,
4)improving the cultural life of our community.

Proposal Description

Goals:

The primary goal of the Core Ensemble is to provide touring chamber music theatre for a diverse audience of youth and adults. The ensemble will bring programs around the state of Florida and around the U.S., emphasizing multicultural and humanistic themes.

The secondary goal is to provide arts education, including school residencies, seminars for colleges and universities and community participation residencies, resulting in the creation of new artistic works and the enhancement of arts and culture in communities.

Measurable objectives:

1. To reach 24,389 individuals through local and national touring.

2. To provide educational programs for 5,000 youth in Palm Beach, Broward, and Glades Counties.

3. To produce a community-specific music theatre work, "Harvest of Voices", involving 250 individuals in rural Florida communities.

4. To increase appreciation of the diverse cultures living in Florida through our South Florida residency.

Activities:

Touring of the Core Ensemble’s music theatre works will take place in Florida and around the U.S. including,

1)“Of Ebony Embers-Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance” (touring since 1998) is a joyful exploration of African American music and poetry of the 1920’s and 30’s. The show features actor Chris White, portraying three of the great poets of the period: Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Claude McKay, as well as the renowned painter and muralist Aaron Douglas. The music is by great composers of the Jazz Age (Ellington, Strayhorn, Jelly Roll Morton) and African American composers of classical music.

2)“Tres Vidas” (“Three Lives”- touring since 2002) is based on the lives of three legendary Latin American women: Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni and Salvadoran peasant-activist Rufina Amaya. The music includes traditional Mexican folk and Argentine tango songs sung in Spanish and instrumental works by composers such as Astor Piazzolla.

3)“Ain’t I a Woman!” (touring since 2005) is based on the lives of four powerful African-American women: novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, ex-slave and abolitionist Sojourner Truth, folk artist Clementine Hunter, and civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer. The music includes spirituals and blues of the Deep South, songs from the Jazz Age, and contemporary concert music by African Americans.

4)“Mona Lisa Speaks: Bemused by the Folly of Men” (touring since spring 2011), scored for the Core Ensemble with actress Dara Seitzman, is an illuminating exploration of one of the world’s greatest works of art. Set in 1911 at the time of the theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre Museum, the show examines the men who have been obsessed by the Mona Lisa: Leonardo Da Vinci, King Francois I, Napoleon Bonaparte, Pablo Picasso, and the unknown Italian laborer who stole the painting. The music features works from 1911 Paris, from Renaissance Italy and new works written for the Core Ensemble.

5)“Los Valientes” (“The Courageous Ones- new work) will be the centerpiece for residency programming in Florida followed by national touring. “Los Valientes”, scored for the Core Ensemble trio with actor Paolo Quiros, features three renowned Latin American figures: muralist Diego Rivera, slain human rights activist Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador and Mexican-American outlaw Joaquin Murrieta on whom the Zorro legend is based. The music includes concert repertoire by Latin American composers as well as popular and folk music representative of Latino cultures.

Educational Programming will include:

1)The “Harvest of Voices” Project, a collaboration with the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County. The Core Ensemble with playwright Jose Cruz Gonzalez will undertake a four-week residency with farm workers and their families in western Palm Beach County. The residency process will result in the creation and performance of a new music theatre work, “Harvest of Voices”, based on oral histories from rural farmworker families. Students, elders, and community members will be involved in the gathering of oral histories. Community members will perform in the culminating music theatre piece for the public side by side with the professional artists.

2) The Core Ensemble South Florida Residency. The ensemble, with actors Chris White and Paulo Quiros, will offer a two-part residency. The first part, during fall 2012 will feature the music theatre piece “Los Valientes”. Actor Paulo Quiros will offer mini-performances and educational programs in West Palm Beach (Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts) and in eight Broward County Public Schools under the auspices of the Broward Student Enrichment Trust Fund. Fall programming will extend to schools in Glades County. The second residency period will be in January, 2013, and will feature actor Chris White and the music theatre piece “Of Ebony Embers-Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance”. This portion of the residency celebrates music and poetry by great African American composers and writers. Working with the Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce, the residency will provide performances, lecture-demonstrations and participatory workshops for youth, the elderly, and patrons of Lake Worth’s downtown businesses and organizations. Activities will take place in art galleries, coffee shops, afterschool programs, the Compass Youth Drop-In Center, and houses of worship under the aegis of the Lake Worth Interfaith Network. Programming in January will also take place in Glades County.

Timeline:

July – Farmworker Coordinating Council “Harvest of Voices” Project

September,October:
Hispanic Heritage Month Tour - “Tres Vidas”
Hispanic Heritage Month Tour - “Los Valientes”

November:
Residency programming in South Florida

January
Residency programming in South Florida

February
Black History Month Tour - “Of Ebony Embers-Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance”
Black History Month Tour – “Ain’t I a Woman!”

March
Women’s History Month Tour – “Ain’t I a Woman! “
Women’s History Month Tour – “Tres Vidas”

April
Florida/National Tour – “Mona Lisa Speaks”

May, June
Booking for next season
Planning educational programs and materials for next season

Culture Builds Florida's Future

1. Strengthening the Economy

   One of the main goals of the ensemble’s community residency project in Lake Worth is to bring people into the downtown area to patronize businesses in our city. The Core Ensemble will work with the Chamber of Commerce to forge relationships for cross-marketing with local restaurants, galleries, and other businesses. A strong marketing plan will enable us to reach communities beyond Lake Worth. The events will attract an educated, affluent clientele into our city and provide free and low-cost cultural programs for economically challenged populations. The project will also bring revenue to the artists involved in the programming. The presence of the Core Ensemble artists in Florida for the three residency periods (summer, fall, winter) will bring business to hotels, restaurants, and rental car companies. Core Ensemble national tours (50+ venues per season) also support the airlines.

2. Learning and Wellness

   Participants in Core Ensemble educational programs will grow academically through the planned activities in music, writing, and speaking. Youth and adults will grow in their knowledge of the arts through activities in music, visual art, and theater. The “Harvest of Voices” process will empower individuals to tell their undocumented stories and to acknowledge the value of their own personal history and the narratives of their community. The South Florida residency and touring in Florida and beyond, will encourage lifelong learning by giving students, adults, and elders the opportunity to participate in musical and literary activities. Core Ensemble touring will reach thousands of youth with programs that are educational and informative as well as entertaining. Study Guides for educators, created by an arts education consultant, are available for all Core Ensemble chamber music theatre works.

3. Building Leadership

   Participants in Core Ensemble collaborative “Harvest of Voices” program will gain leadership skills through the artistic and personal challenges of the creative process. The "Harvest of Voices" and South Florida residencies will communicate the public value of arts and culture, as community audiences and youth come to understand the power of the arts by experiencing musical and theatrical works that are highly relevant to themselves and their communities.

4. Design and Development

   N.A.

Proposal Estimates

Estimated Number of	Response	Instructions to the Applicant
school based youth benefiting	5,000	Enter the number of individuals under the age of 18 that are expected to be participating in organized school based cultural events. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
non-school based youth benefiting	250	Enter the number of individuals under the age of 18 that are expected to be participating in non-school based cultural events. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
elders benefiting	475	Enter the number of individuals over the age of 65 that are expected to benefit from the proposal activities. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
artists participating	11	Enter the estimated number of professional artists that will be directly involved in providing artistic services specifically identified with the proposal. Include living artists whose work is represented in an exhibition regardless of whether the work was provided by the artist or by an institution. This figure should reflect a portion of the total individuals benefiting.
individuals benefiting	30,614	Give the total number of individuals that are expected to be involved in proposal activities as artists, non-artists, participants, or audience members. This number should include the values listed for youth, elders and artists.
proposal events	7	How many different events will be produced or presented within the grant period as a part of this proposal? Be sure to list different events, not performances. For example, a musical performed 10 times is only one event, but a musical performed 10 times and workshop done once are two events.
opportunities for public participation	200	Each event will have one or more opportunities for public participation. For example a musical performed 10 times is one event with 10 opportunities for public participation.

Project/Program Location

• Broward
• Glades
• Marion
• Palm Beach

Proposal Impact

Over the coming season the Core Ensemble will employ three musicians, five actors, one director, one playwright, and two administrators. During our season, the ensemble will travel to over 50 venues, many of which will gain revenue as a result of ticket sales. The Core Ensemble’s extensive traveling generates revenue for the airline, car rental and hotel industries. During the summer, fall, and spring residency periods, Core Ensemble artists will patronize Palm Beach County hotels and restaurants for up to ten weeks. The residency program in Lake Worth will generate income for businesses in the area as the project attracts people to the restaurants, shops, and galleries in the downtown area.

For the past sixteen years, the Core Ensemble has toured to performing arts venues, community cultural centers and colleges and universities nation-wide. As a member of the Florida State Touring Roster the ensemble has performed around the state for the past ten years and has developed long term relationships with public schools in underserved counties. International tours have brought the ensemble to Russia, Ukraine, the British and American Virgin Islands, Australia, and England. Educational programming in South Florida has encompassed Palm Beach, Broward, Hendry and Glades Counties. Core Ensemble audiences encompass patrons of performing arts venues such as the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and the Boston Center for the Arts, college and university students, and public school students, reaching over 30,000 individuals annually. Core Ensemble CD recordings are distributed internationally on an ongoing basis to libraries and radio stations through the New World Records marketing department.

The Lake Worth Residency Program will serve a multicultural Florida community including African Americans, Hispanics, Haitians, a large gay and lesbian population, one of the largest Guatemalan populations in the U.S., and, with neighboring Lantana, the largest Finnish diaspora community in the U.S. Programming in collaboration with the Lake Worth Interfaith Network will reach individuals active in Ba'hai, Buddhism,Islam, Judaism and many Christian denominations.

The “Harvest of Voices” Project will serve 250 culturally isolated individuals in rural Palm Beach County.

The Core Ensemble-Farmworker Coordinating Council collaboration “Harvest of Voices” project will bring music, theatre, and educational services to a culturally isolated and economically challenged population. Working with an award-winning playwright, the ensemble will collect oral histories from farm workers; the stories will be woven into a dramatic narrative with music. Members of the community will perform in a culminating performance with the artists. The project will help solidify relationships between the ensemble and an important social service agency in our region.
The Lake Worth/South Florida Residency’ s offerings for young people will include mini-performances and interactive workshops, based on the music theatre works "Los Valientes" and "Of Ebony Embers", with the following benefits: 1) Young people will gain specific tools for enhancing skills required by the Sunshine State Educational Standards through the Core Ensemble’s Study Guide and curriculum materials. 2) A fresh way of approaching Language Arts, Social Studies, Music and Visual Arts will be offered to students and teachers. 3) New curriculum materials will be created for this project which will be used in the future in other educational settings. 4) Participants will gain a cultural background in an important period in American History (the Harlem Renaissance) and an appreciation of Latino culture and history . 5) Young people will be provided with excellent arts programs in their own neighborhoods. Our local outreach and educational programming allow us to work directly in residence in our home region. This will considerably increase local awareness and visibility of the Core Ensemble and its art form. The participation of a curriculum consultant will insure the integration of the arts across non-arts disciplines.

Operating Budget

	Operating Expenses	Completed Fiscal Year ending 8/31/10
1.	Personnel: Administrative	40,150
2.	Personnel: Programmatic
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	91,898
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	6,586
6.	Space Rental, Rent or Mortgage	4,000
7.	Travel	65,922
8.	Marketing
9.	Remaining Operating Expenses	19,768
A.	Total Cash Expenses	$228,324
B.	In-kind Contributions	$0
C.	Total Operating Expenses	$228,324
	Operating Income	Completed Fiscal Year ending 8/31/10
10.	Revenue: Admissions
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services	202,139
12.	Revenue: Other
13.	Private Support: Corporate	4,500
14.	Private Support: Foundation
15.	Private Support: Other	2,000
16.	Government Support: Federal	10,000
17.	Government Support: State/Regional
18.	Government Support: Local/County	9,685
19.	Applicant Cash
D.	Total Cash Income	$228,324
B.	In-kind Contributions	$0
E.	Total Operating Income	$228,324

Additional Operating Budget Information

No answer provided.

Proposal Budget: Summary

	Proposal Expenses	A. Request	B. Cash Expenses	C. In-kind	Total
1.	Personnel: Administrative	0	35,235	0	$35,235
2.	Personnel: Programmatic	0	0	0	$0
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production	0	0	0	$0
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	22,774	69,124	0	$91,898
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	0	6,586	0	$6,586
6.	Space Rental	0	0	4,000	$4,000
7.	Travel	0	55,690	0	$55,690
8.	Marketing	0	13,320	0	$13,320
9.	Remaining Proposal Expenses	0	5,407	0	$5,407
D.	Total Proposal Expenses	22,774	185,362	4,000	$212,136
	Proposal Income	A. Request	B. Cash Income	C. In-Kind	Total
10.	Revenue: Admissions		0		$0
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services		167,362		167,362
12.	Revenue: Other		0		$0
13.	Private Support: Corporate		1,000		1,000
14.	Private Support: Foundation		0		$0
15.	Private Support: Other		2,000		2,000
16.	Government Support: Federal		10,000		10,000
17.	Government Support: Regional		0		$0
18.	Government Support: Local/County		5,000		5,000
19.	Applicant Cash		0		$0
E.	Total Proposal Income	22,774	185,362	4,000	$212,136

Proposal Budget: Detail

	Proposal Expenses	A. Request	B. Cash Expenses	C. In-Kind	Total
1.	Personnel: Administrative	0	35,235	0	$35,235
1.1. Executive Director		0	20,000	0	20,000
1.2. Managing Director		0	15,235	0	15,235
2.	Personnel: Programmatic	0	0	0	$0
3.	Personnel: Technical/Production	0	0	0	$0
4.	Outside Fees and Services: Programmatic	22,774	69,124	0	$91,898
4.1. Pianist		22,774	7	0	22,781
4.2. Cellist		0	22,781	0	22,781
4.3. Percussionist		0	22,781	0	22,781
4.4. Actors		0	23,555	0	23,555
5.	Outside Fees and Services: Other	0	6,586	0	$6,586
5.1. Casting/Stage Director		0	2,386	0	2,386
5.2. Operations Manager		0	3,200	0	3,200
5.3. Curriculum Consultant		0	1,000	0	1,000
6.	Space Rental	0	0	4,000	$4,000
6.1. Harid Conservatory (rehearsal space)		0	0	4,000	4,000
7.	Travel	0	55,690	0	$55,690
7.1. Airfare		0	52,042	0	52,042
7.2. Ground Transportation		0	3,648	0	3,648
8.	Marketing	0	13,320	0	$13,320
8.1. Postage		0	2,854	0	2,854
8.2. Printing		0	1,877	0	1,877
8.3. Telephone		0	2,765	0	2,765
8.4. video production		0	3,824	0	3,824
8.5. Web Site Design & Maintenance		0	2,000	0	2,000
9.	Remaining Proposal Expenses	0	5,407	0	$5,407
9.1. Supplies		0	1,186	0	1,186
9.2. Memberships, Subscriptions		0	1,935	0	1,935
9.3. Accounting		0	2,025	0	2,025
9.4. Cartage		0	261	0	261
D.	Total Proposal Expenses	22,774	185,362	4,000	$212,136

	Proposal Income	A. Request	B. Cash Income	C. In-Kind	Total
10.	Revenue: Admissions		0		$0
11.	Revenue: Contracted Services		167,362		$167,362
11-1 Concert Fees			152,467		152,467
11-2 Educational Services			14,895		14,895
12.	Revenue: Other		0		$0
13.	Private Support: Corporate		1,000		$1,000
13-1 Bank Atlantic			1,000		1,000
14.	Private Support: Foundation		0		$0
15.	Private Support: Other		2,000		$2,000
15-1 Individuals			2,000		2,000
16.	Government Support: Federal		10,000		$10,000
16-1 National Endowment for the Arts			10,000		10,000
17.	Government Support: Regional		0		$0
18.	Government Support: Local/County		5,000		$5,000
18-1 Palm Beach County Cultural Council			5,000		5,000
19.	Applicant Cash		0		$0
E.	Total Proposal Income	22,774	185,362	4,000	$212,136

Additional Proposal Budget Information

No answer provided.

Fiscal Condition and Sustainability

The Core Ensemble had a balanced budget in the 2009-10 year and looks forward to a balanced budget during the current year. The special circumstance which exists at this time is the downturn in contributed income which impacts our ability to offer educational and outreach programming. To counteract the loss of contributed income, the Ensemble has produced two new chamber music theatre works this year: "Los Valientes" and "Mona Lisa Speaks: Bemused by the Folly of Men" in order to have more artistic products to offer presenters. The ensemble’s management is engaged in a vigorous booking campaign with a goal of increasing paying venues by 20%. This will entail seeking new markets and offering special incentives to presenters such as the added value of educational residency programs tied to the performances and “en route” fees.

The ensemble has a six-year history of receiving funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, and many years’ funding from state and local sources. During the coming year, Core Ensemble staff will approach local foundations to support our programming and will seek in-kind support from Lake Worth businesses and organizations (rental space, advertising). Funding for the “Harvest of Voices” will be sought from the Florida Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, both of which have supported Core Ensemble oral history/music theatre projects in the past.

We will work aggressively on contracted service revenue over the coming year to continue this trend which we feel is the best protection against the vagaries of funding downturns. However, we will continue to seek private donations, foundation, corporate and government support. In recent years the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Arts have become generous sources of funding for outreach and educational programming.

Evaluation Plan

Performances of our music theatre works are evaluated by 1) audience reaction, 2) follow up interviews with presenters, 3) summative meetings among artists, 4) invitations for return performances. Educational programs are evaluated as follows:
Early in the project, formative evaluations, both oral and written, take place to help the artists understand the participants, and find out how to stimulate maximum participation. A process evaluation takes place mid-project among the artists to determine what has been accomplished, and whether the project is on schedule. Final evaluations include self-administered questionnaires of the participants. Surveys are often distributed to audiences at community programs requesting their comments on the project and soliciting suggestions for future projects.

Applicant Accessibility

Question	Response
Does the applicant have policies and procedures (including a complaint process) that address non-discrimination on the basis of disability?	Yes
Does the applicant have a staff person that is responsible for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida Statutes 553?	Yes (Margot Emery)
Has the applicant completed the Section 504 Self Evaluation Workbook from the National Endowment for the Arts (linked) in the last 5 years?	Yes

Accessibility

Programming in our underserved partner schools in Glades County is supported by funding from the State Touring Program. These services reach some of the most under populated and culturally isolated areas of our state. Our "Harvest of Voices"/Farmworker program will serve individuals in western Palm Beach County who are economically and culturally disadvantaged. Programs for the Lake Worth Interfaith Network, Compass, and downtown Lake Worth serve elderly and LGBT populations. Because of the multicultural subject matter of our chamber music theatre pieces, presenters have a powerful marketing vehicle to reach minority audiences. Core Ensemble educational programs provide students and educators with programs and services illuminating African American and Latino history and culture. All facilities where the Core Ensemble performs are in compliance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

1. IRS Letter
2. Letters of Endorsement
3. Brochures
4. Demo DVD