News Release: Suburban arts report encourages continued dialogue, new partnerships
June 1, 2005 - Essays offer insights on expanding arts opportunities beyond urban core.
Today's tight budgets, changing demographics and frequent lack of public policy consensus haven't dissuaded the Twin Cities suburbs from continuing their growing love affair with the arts. A new report about the seven-county metro area reflects how the arts are an important part of the vitality of both mature and emerging suburban communities. Among the findings: Suburban arts venues aren't just local attractions, but increasingly contribute to the overall robustness of Minnesota's arts scene.
The report, You Are Here: Exploring Art in the Suburbs, is published by The McKnight Foundation and was developed in partnership with FORECAST Public Artworks in St. Paul. It follows the Foundation's 2002 report, A New Angle: Arts Development in the Suburbs, which spurred local community discussions, new arts activity, and nationwide interest.
"The enormous feedback we received after the first report told us that we had broken new ground. We uncovered something that was happening right under everyone's noses," said Erika Binger, board chair at The McKnight Foundation. "As time has passed, it's become clear that the suburban cultural development is not a short-lived fad, but something very real and powerful. The fact that communities are supporting the arts during these tight economic times is a testament of public willpeople are looking for opportunities to bring a unique identity to their communities through the arts."
"We tend to think of arts as the product of the large, well-known institutions in Minneapolis and St. Paul," said Neal Cuthbert, McKnight's arts program director. "That's especially true as many of the best-known venues are making big investments in their physical facilities. But it's also important to recognize and support the thousands of smaller investments that have been made throughout our region."
You Are Here is a collection of essays written by several local authors. They tell the stories of individuals, groups, and communities that have enhanced their public spaces with creative projects such as sculpture and performance venues, and have developed long-range plans to maintain these treasures. The essays also reflect the different ways in which arts have influenced suburban communities, including the following examples:
The report also includes a map with a sample of the many art places and happenings in the Twin Cities suburbs. It is hoped that You Are Here will be a catalyst for communities and traditional arts organizations to engage with new audiences.
"A generation of suburban youth are growing up with limited access to the arts, and very little exposure to public art," said Jack Becker, executive director of FORECAST Public Art Works and lead project coordinator of You Are Here. "The suburbs, however, offer unlimited potential to artists seeking to develop new public spaces, give identity to suburban communities, and reach audiences who otherwise would be unaware of their talents. As the suburbs grow and make public improvements, so too will the number of art centers, arts councils, and public art activities."
Several major arts organizations are creating new strategies to reach suburban audiences, especially younger audiences, hoping to engage them as ticket-buyers, donors, and volunteers. Some, like the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, which has performed at venues throughout the Twin Cities for years, have longtime suburban connections.
Other organizations, spurred by discussions like those in You Are Here and A New Angle, are creating new strategies. One of those is The MacPhail Center for the Arts. Its move from its longtime downtown location became an opportunity to build a new, smaller facility in downtown while expanding programming at several suburban sites.
"Making the arts more accessible by encouraging partnerships and supporting opportunities in all communities is crucial for our regional arts ecology," said Rip Rapson, president of The McKnight Foundation. "Some have expressed concerns about supporting cultural development outside the core cities, saying it erodes the concentration of great art and artists in a metro area. However, that thinking is the beginning of the end for both culture and great cities. The arts play an important role in allowing all communities to grow and prosper, as well as form their own unique identities, and You Are Here reminds us of that.
"In fact," said Rapson, "suburban arts are just chapters of a larger story. The Arts are an important part of community and economic life throughout Minnesota, often in unexpected ways and places."
You Are Here is the first of several reports coming this year that will examine arts in Minnesota from different perspectives. McKnight will publish a report that examines arts in rural Minnesota communities. McKnight also is sponsoring a study of the impact of artist centers in Minnesota communities. Ann Markusen, professor at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, is the author of the study. Both reports are expected to be published in the fall.
To receive a copy of You Are Here: Exploring Art in the Suburbs, please call the Foundation at 612-333-4220. The book also can be downloaded from www.mcknight.org.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
Founded in 1953 and endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, the Foundation has assets of approximately $2 billion and granted about $85 million in 2004. Mr. McKnight was one of the early leaders of the 3M Company, although the Foundation is independent of 3M. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.mcknight.org.
Contact
Gayle Thorsen, The McKnight Foundation, 612-333-4220
Kristin Fischer, Himle Horner, Inc., 952-897-8208
Related links
A New Angle, online report