Rosy Simas is a transdisciplinary and dance artist who works primarily with movement of the body, image, objects and sound. Think: “installation in which performance happens.” Simas, an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation Heron clan, whose artistic career spans decades, recently received the Doris Duke award of $550,000. This peer-nominated award is for individual artists in the categories of dance, jazz and theater. It is meant to be an infusion of funds to give the artist security in life, rather than being tied to a particular project.
“I wasn’t even aware they were looking at my work,” Simas said, commenting that a lot of national awards go to artists on the coasts. Only four other Minnesotans have received the award in its history.
Simas has lived in Minneapolis most of her life, and she has been in the Northrup King Building since 2021. Originally, she was looking for a small space for just herself, but then a colleague from Public Functionary told her about an available large space. It includes its own restroom, a kitchen and is a place where artists-in-residence can create work without worrying about being around others, which was critical during the pandemic. Rosy saw the potential to create a safe space where Native and BIPOC communities could gather and share ideas and work. Since 2021, more than a dozen artists have had residencies in this space.
Simas’ studio and Public Functionary bring new audiences to the Northrup King Building and the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, as well as new patrons, and a heightened value to the surrounding community, but Rosy is careful to note that this work is not just transactional. “If that’s the only way we are thinking about it, we are lacking.”
Simas said it is very important that people share information about finding grant and funding opportunities. She feels there is a historical secrecy and lack of transparency which has contributed to a “scarcity model.” Private foundations don’t have to disclose their processes, although she noted that this is changing over time. In Rosy’s eyes, competition is not something to be feared. She feels that the more people that are applying for grants and opportunities, the more visibility and opportunity will arise. Doing this will help build value for all. “Share your knowledge and mentor others; When artists thrive, we all thrive,” she said.
In the first 20 years of her career, Simas received two Minnesota State Arts Board grants of under $2,000. Ten years ago, she received significant support from outside of Minnesota, and once she broke into the national spotlight, funders noticed her here.
Her favorite piece she’s put together so far is “We Wait In The Darkness,” the first major piece she had made with French composer François Richomme, with whom she has worked on several projects over the last decade. “That show was deeply personal and inspired by my grandmother.” Simas said. It featured Rosy’s mother reading experiences from Rosy’s grandmother’s letters about her experiences as a Seneca child.
Another favorite piece, “she who lives on the road to war,” just wrapped up at the Weisman and All My Relations Arts in Minneapolis and will be touring in 2024. This piece dealt with creating spaces for grieving, condoling and rest. The piece started before the pandemic, but really became inspired by the need for people to come together and condole so much of the loss we have had over the last few years.
The Doris Duke award will offer the security many artists don’t have, especially if they are self-employed. It will allow Rosy Simas the security to keep creating these impactful works, and through her space, help other artists in Northeast Minneapolis thrive.
Written by Lisa Roy