Taiko Arts Midwest, based in Saint Paul, is dedicated to the art of taiko, a Japanese style of drumming that combines rhythm, movement, and culture. The group uses drumming to bring people together and build community.
Executive Director Jennifer Weir said, “When you’re drumming, you are connected to your heart, your mind, your spirit, and your body. And doing that within a cultural practice is really meaningful. And it’s a way to connect to yourself and to connect to others, and even to connect to your ancestors.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Taiko Arts Midwest could no longer meet in person. With help from the MN PROMISE Act Grant, they found a way to keep their work going.
“The funding from this program was critical to us because with COVID, we couldn't meet, we couldn't meet in person, like all operations stopped, but the work doesn't stop. And so what we were able to do was pivot and put our resources into making a documentary feature film, and it's called Finding Her Beat,” Jennifer said.
The film aired on PBS and reached 83% of U.S. households. It was shown at more than 80 film festivals around the world.
“The idea is to introduce sort of a love letter to Tyco drumming, but to bring women and non-binary folks forward in the art form,” Jennifer said. “Because traditionally only men were allowed to drum for thousands of years. And in recent decades, that's flipped. And now women are taking center stage.”
Thanks to the MN PROMISE Act Grant, Taiko Arts Midwest was able to share the power of taiko drumming with new audiences and continue their mission to connect, heal, and inspire through rhythm.
📸See photos and behind-the-scenes moments from Finding Her Beat below
