Arts and Cultural Programs The American Swedish Institute offers a wide variety of cultural programming opportunities for all ages, including language courses, Nordic Handcraft and Nordic Table workshops, author events, Svenska Skolan, the Lucia Choir and heritage festivals like Midsommar. These programs help make ASI a vibrant cultural center that connects locally and engages globally with offerings that promote a greater understanding of culture, migration, heritage and identity. Star Tribune’s Taste 50 Birthday Feast October 2019 The Star Tribune celebrated 50 years of the Taste section with a sold-out, seven-course feast hosted by ASI. Six James Beard award-winners for Best Chef Midwest, joined by executive chef Blake Meier of Fika at ASI, cooked together for the first time: Tim McKee, Isaac Becker, Alex Roberts, Paul Berglund, Gavin Kaysen and Ann Kim. Danish String Quartet, November 2019 The Danish String Quartet performed a Schubert Club Mix concert, which included songs from their albums of Scandinavian folk music, Woodworks and Last Leaf, to a packed audience in Larson Hall. The Jack & the Ghost book celebration November 10–11, 2019 Featuring author/musician Chan Poling and artist Lucy Mitchell, this special and unique performance in the ASI ballroom featured the renowned artists showcasing their new illustrated book. Holidays at the American Swedish Institute December 2019 FY2020 encompassed in-person public programs that would prove to be among the
last to welcome crowds before COVID measures would dramatically change social behavior. Among ASI’s many holiday highlights was the December 7–8, 2019 Julmarknad Christmas Market and festival, the Julglädje (Christmas Joy) performances, ASI’s popular Glögg Tours led by the Theater of Public Policy, the Winter Solstice Celebration and the Neighborhood Open House.
extra/ordinary First Look: Preview Party and Family Day February 28 – March 1, 2021 The First Look Preview Party for extra/ordinary and Family Day during the exhibition’s opening weekend, introduced the public to the new exhibition, as well as Tara Sweeney and Nate Christopherson, the artists behind the A to Zåäö book, in an evening full of hands-on activities, games and live music. Virtual Programming To continue to serve as a gathering place for all after March 2020, when in-person programming was not possible during the pandemic, ASI switched to online programming. Language classes enjoyed a jump in registrations with students from all over the world. New virtual experiences included exhibition tours, a DIY-athome Midsommar celebration. One highlight on April 17, was A Drop of Midnight — A Memoir, a virtual book talk with author/hip-hop artist Jason “Timbuktu” Diakité in conversation with translator/ASI language instructor Rachel Willson-Broyles about his search for self. • More than 2,100 students attended virtual classes including 120 new students from locations outside of Minnesota. • Language students came from 27 states (including Minnesota).
Report to the Community FY2020
15
