Story Arts of Minnesota

StoryFest! 
Bloomington Center for the Arts
 Saturday, May 4, 2024

Storytelling changes lives and uplifts communities. With your support, Story Arts of Minnesota’s annual StoryFest will expand the joy of storytelling for new audiences of all ages. StoryFest is a day-long celebration of the art of oral storytelling, bringing together experienced and novice tellers to entertain and transfix audiences from throughout the Twin Cities metro.

Think about the stories that have made a difference to you. Perhaps it was  
- your grandmother relating the true adventures of an ancestor you never met
- a teacher re-telling a classic tale of Cinderella or Anansi
- a tribal elder sharing a legend that explains why the turtle’s shell is cracked
- a ghost story whispered next to a dying campfire
- a confession from the stranger seated next to you on the airplane, a story so wild that it might just be true.  

The stories that move us to laughter, tears, or action take many forms.  And all of us have stories to share.

At StoryFest, we offer a full day of performances, workshops, and open mics. Everyone’s invited and it’s free!  But it does cost money to produce the event and to assure that it’s welcoming to all. Your generosity can help us reach our goals for StoryFest:

• In 2024, we aim to produce TWO StoryFests, one in Bloomington in May and one in Austin (still in the early planning phase).
• We want to continue and expand our productive partnerships with organizations like the Bloomington Center for the Arts, Mill City Museum, the American School of Storytelling, and COMPAS.
• We want to keep showcasing the use of storytelling by cultural and media organizations in our communities that amplify diverse voices and reach new audiences in the Twin Cities and beyond.
• We need to make StoryFest accessible to everyone—by keeping it free to attend, by hiring ASL interpreters, by providing printed programs, and more.

Stories have the power to change and inspire not only the audience that hears them, but the artist who creates and is created by them. SAM values creative expression on all levels and provides opportunities for all individuals to grow and develop as artists. StoryFest is our major public event, but it's not all we do. Please visit our website – www.storyartsmn.org – and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out about our other in-person and online programs.

CHOSE HOW MUCH TO GIVE

When you click on DONATE, you'll see some suggested amounts. Underneath is a blank line where you can specify your own amount. The minimum amount for giving via the online form is $5. Every donation, of any size, makes a difference in our ability to present a successful program at StoryFest. Thank you!