September 2024
30 August 2024
Congratulations to all the artists who were selected to be a part of the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts show this year.
30 August 2024
Graffiti walks a fine line between vandalism and art. The Graffiti Jam puts art on train cars by youth in a safe environment.
30 August 2024
Writer Mary Barghout found a common theme of cultural self-acceptance in two exhibits, one of which is still on view through Sept. 14.
30 August 2024
Seeking for the Lost, Christopher Harrison's exhibition at the Weisman Art Museum, will have its opening reception Oct. 16. Learn more about Harrison's journey as an artist, here.
30 August 2024
Construction on the long-awaited development of the Northrup King Building campus is imminent. Work was to begin by the end of August.
30 August 2024
Monthly roundup of shows at galleries in the Arts District.
August 2024
01 August 2024
Artist Bradley Scott Davis, based in the California Building, has embarked on an artistic journey known as the Daily Frog Project.
01 August 2024
Northeast Calendar art submissions are due September 1, 2024 for 2025. Rules and submission procedures are the same as the last couple of years. The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District coordinates the calendar and awards $200 per image ($400 for the cover) to the chosen artists.
01 August 2024
The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District is raising funds for a new initiative to capture the stories of many generations who have been part of establishing the local arts ecosystem.
01 August 2024
Weisman Art Museum (WAM), presents Seeking for the Lost, portraits by Christopher E. Harrison of those sold or “lost” during slavery, as described in local Black newspaper classified ads from the period.
01 August 2024
On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District will welcome the grand reopening of Midway Contemporary Art at 1509 Marshall St. NE.
01 August 2024
Twenty-three local Art to Change the World artists were selected by a jury process to create new or sell existing artwork for Emma Norton's Restoring Waters.
01 August 2024
Artist Silent Fox, who works out of the Public Functionary spaces in the Northrup King Building in Northeast, answers questions about their perseverance through the “ups and downs” of an artistic life, the meaning (or meaninglessness) of “success” and the power of art to tell stories.
Thinking about the course of your creative life, were there ever moments where you felt discouraged or unsure about moving forward as an artist? Who were the people around you who encouraged you and supported...
01 August 2024
Here's what's going on at several of the galleries in Northeast.
July 2024
30 June 2024
MacArthur Foundation award winner Dyani White Hawk (Casket Arts Building) recently joined forces with Mercury Mosaics (Thorp Building) to create a breathtaking mosaic installation at the Whitney Museum of American Arts
30 June 2024
Over the past eight years Northeast Minneapolis Arts District (AD) board members have visited other arts communities and arts districts to compare and contrast as well as learn about how they operate and organize themselves. Others visit us here; the most recent from Eugene, Ore. We ask about what is working for them and what are their challenges.
In a recent exchange I was in Kansas City in the Crossroads Arts District. I have been going there occasionally for more than 20 years talking with different...
30 June 2024
“They, too, wanted to love but did not know how to say it
…What a wild dilemma,
How to make it to the stars on a highway slick with fear.”
~Joy Harjo in her memoir Poet Warrior
30 June 2024
The morning of May 1, artist Iya Nacuua spoke to his computer, challenging chat.openai.com to respond to music lyrics. Between him and the platform, the exchange generated more than 410 lines of dialog, about 4,000 words before Nacuua signed off to get breakfast.
Nacuua said he uses artificial intelligence (AI) “as a sounding board. For art, for work, for diagnosing skin blemishes, writing content, all of it. No. 1 work and productivity tool.” He is both promoter and critic, saying the most important...
30 June 2024
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District Board Members Margo Ashmore and Josh Blanc convened a meeting with Ben Johnson, Addy Gonzalez and Mary Altman from the Minneapolis Arts and Cultural Affairs department along with Minneapolis Arts Commission member Lana Aylesworth, who heads the commission’s policy group.
30 June 2024
The Minneapolis visual arts community is a diverse, enterprising, and vital part of the local economy and culture—but it consistently flies under the radar. Vibrant art communities are spread throughout the cities, but disconnected from each other’s storytelling. Meanwhile, decades of rich oral history and context are disappearing as generations age.
Over the past few months, members of the Northeast MInneapolis Arts District Board and others have been convening in the new Timber & Tie space...
June 2024
01 June 2024
The vibrant mural “Flor de Piña” made by Solar Arts Building muralist and painter Gustavo Lira Arts with artists Xilam Balam and Tierra Diaz on Central Ave was painted over and destroyed on Wednesday, May 8. The mural was on the building at 1851 Central.
01 June 2024
Another successful Art-A-Whirl®! Congratulations to Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association, member artists, organizations, businesses, supporters and sponsors for their roles in the May 17-19 event.
01 June 2024
In the coming days, watch your inboxes for an invitation to be part of a bold new project the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District is initiating. The Roundtable Project is an effort to create a...
01 June 2024
In this scene from a VIP visit, Michael Helsinger of Hewn Guitars showed the small dust-free space where he meets customers; guitar building takes place in the basement. Helsinger was one of the first to rent in the Holland Arts West building.
May 2024
01 May 2024
Dyani White Hawk is among 188 honored as a fellow by the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation.
01 May 2024
Northeast Minneapolis is a community long shaped by immigrants and more recently by art. Now artists of Latin descent are stepping forward, asserting not only their heritage but their place as Minnesotans.
01 May 2024
Zoran’s Surrealist Sculptures: Dry Neck of the Pig and Other Curios is on view in the Main Gallery through May 26, 2024 at the Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave. in south Minneapolis.
A gallery celebration, Zoran’s Fest on the 4th will feature live music by Soul Trouvère with opener Red Thread, food by Gardens of Salonica – all amidst the surrealist sculptures of Zoran Mojsilov in the Main Gallery of TMORA sponsored by Moores Insurance Management, Inc. Tickets are: $15 General Admission...
01 May 2024
Howard Christopherson is busy inside his ICEBOX Gallery space preparing a show of fellow photographer Marc Norberg’s work. Christopherson is curating the exhibit with evident admiration for Norberg’s photography—but also the peculiar ache of knowing that Norberg himself may not recognize any of the images. Norberg is living in Saint Paul with moderate dementia, which has progressed enough that his mind is now opaque to his long-time friend.
Photo by Katherine Boyce
Christopherson says the...
01 May 2024
May 3 is the deadline for input via a Meet Minneapolis survey. Help shape a master plan to increase the appeal of our city as a destination.
01 May 2024
ChatGPT opinions wanted, along with writers, interviewers and volunteers; and drop by the Arts District Welcome Center.
April 2024
31 March 2024
There was good energy in the room at the first potluck gathering of the “Friends of the Arts District Welcome Center.” With over a dozen people around the table, the discussion felt like a preview of the kind of roundtable magic the project is all about.
31 March 2024
In Making Climate Change Visible, Carolyn Halliday accomplished her goal with loosely knitted wire and installation space telling the stories behind the pieces to visitors as she readied the explanatory tags for the show at Kolman and Reeb Gallery, #395 Northrup King Building.
31 March 2024
Whether this is asked in jest, critique or true curiosity, “what does the Arts District do?” is a question that bears answering. Regular readers of this monthly e-newsletter know that the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District is more than a place on a map.
31 March 2024
In the blocks north of Broadway, Quincy Street’s occupants like how its bumpy patchwork of asphalt and puddle-gathering ancient pavement depressions makes drivers slow down. And they like the original pavers’ look.
31 March 2024
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District welcomed two new board members in the last two months, Andrew MacGuffie and Sarah Bogenreif. And, with the March 13 annual meeting, we thanked Sue Sjoselius
18 March 2024
- Writers, event helpers needed
- The Great Northeast Scavenger Hunt
- Doors Open is same weekend as Art-A-Whirl
- Welcome Michael Fallon to ACC
- Cobblestone streets may be no more
- Art to Change the World to expand...
March 2024
01 March 2024
The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District is embarking on a bold new project to delve into the history of the visual arts in Minneapolis. But far from an exercise in nostalgia, the goal of this endeavor is to glean insights from the past that empower current and future generations to advocate for a thriving and resilient ecosystem for the arts in our city.
The key components of the project are:
Roundtable discussions that convene past and present leaders of the arts in Minneapolis for critical dialogue;
A...
01 March 2024
The 2024 USA Today poll results for the Best Arts District are in, and Northeast Minneapolis Arts District ranked #3. Although we couldn’t maintain our title as #1 for three consecutive years, we’d like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all who supported us throughout the voting process. It is our firm belief that being one of the nation’s premier arts districts stems from the unwavering support of the talented artists who create here and the community that supports them.
Amidst the...
01 March 2024
Katherine Boyce has amplified environmentalist work by writing in these forums about artists exploring climate change and water. A painter herself, she earned a different kind of notice in February’s Plastic-Free Challenge, posting frequently about her discoveries. Ranking 7th among 1757 individuals who pledged a variety of actions to reduce single-use plastic, she also helped her Art to Change the World (ACW) Climate Team come in 10th place.
01 March 2024
To the clanging of church bells with bicyclists riding by, tile artist Josh Blanc and Layl McDill (behind the camera) documented their recent Paris tile tour in videos posted on YouTube and Facebook. Guided by a book from Friends of Terra Cotta, Paris and the Legacy of French Architectural Ceramics, they followed its map to early 20th Century installations that still amaze today.
Blanc tells of first getting invited in to, and then getting kicked out of, one building full of murals, on their first...
01 March 2024
Volunteers needed for Speakeasy
Art-A-Whirl ® needs “all hands on deck” – with building owners and artists tied to their buildings and studios, Northeast Minneapolis Arts District relies on family, friends, and board members who are not exhibiting artists, to staff the fundraising Speakeasy that we will hold again in the basement of Casket Arts. Shout out to 45th Parallel Distillery for the cocktail spirits and Central Avenue Liquors for the beers that will be sold to raise operating expenses and...
February 2024
31 January 2024
Ben Johnson in March, and Addy Gonzalez in November, arrived from Los Angeles in 2023 bringing fresh energy to Minneapolis’ new Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs. Johnson became the first director of the department, which is focused on ensuring the growth and sustainability of arts, cultural expression, and creativity throughout the city. Gonzalez is Executive Manager of Arts.
Ben Johnson
For a city of its size, Minneapolis is packed with a surprisingly diverse array of art and culture. It...
31 January 2024
As we are reigning champions for the past two years (2022, 2023) and came in second in 2021. Knoxville, Cleveland and Dallas have been our top rivals for the distinction. Currently we are in 2nd place. We expect they will be trying hard to unseat us. Let’s defend our title! Download this poster and hang it in your studio or place of work. It’s a chance to hype up your Arts District.
Being able to promote you are part of the Best Arts District in the country at events like Art-A-Whirl®...
31 January 2024
The last weekend in January, I attended a few offerings in a Climate Solutions Series during the Great Northern Festival. Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Architect Omar Gandhi presented some of his work and discussed sustainable architecture, indigenous input into design and architecture specific to northern climates. An example: a beach house with roof that follows the topography so as to offer little resistance to the sweeping winds.
Architect Omar Gandhhi
An aside that caught my attention: He was saddened...
31 January 2024
With our current campaign to win the Best Arts District in the country we wanted to re-highlight the 2022 mural at the East Side Coop that is being featured in the campaign for the vote.
Rich beautiful colors and engaging faces now introduce you to the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District at the corner of 26th and Central avenues NE. The works of Creatives After Curfew and Four Story Collective muralists are transforming the Eastside Food Co-op’s north wall.
Luna with veggies
Lisa Marie Brimmer with...
31 January 2024
When was the last time you immersed yourself in an art class? If you're drawing a blank, perhaps it's time to ignite your creative spark. The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District stands as a vibrant haven for creativity, providing the ideal backdrop for embarking on a journey of learning and self-discovery.
31 January 2024
Eat My Words 10th Anniversary!
Saturday, February 3rd, All Day - Come join the celebration!
There will be music, poetry, local art, special new commemorative merchandise, and of course... books!
Music from: Gabe Barnett, The Daily Norm ...and more to come
January 2024
29 December 2023
Nick Heille passed away on Christmas Eve. That news is a reflection point. I have known Nick for over a quarter century. Northeast Minneapolis has changed and Nick was a big part of that movement. He wanted to reinvigorate his community from down-and-out to shining beacon of arts and culture and he succeeded. While Nick is not the first to pass from the movers and shakers of the start of the Northeast art movement he was one of the biggest and most persistent voices of that Northeast arts generation.
Nick...
29 December 2023
The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District commissioned Nat Case of INCase, LLC to design a series of maps to help define the Arts District both for people to find the Arts District and understand what is in it. We wanted to showcase the 18 arts buildings and how to find public art throughout the Arts District.
The whole shebang — Arts District Map
INCase, LLC was able to create a series of maps to help visitors find the AD from the Airport and from Downtown. InCase, LLC was able to include multiple...
29 December 2023
The Visual Arts Fund of Midway Contemporary Art awards grants to artist-organized projects in the Twin Cities region with support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Midway Contemporary Art has awarded Kieran Tverbakk and Northeast Minneapolis resident Witt Siasoco for their project PAIR (Pilot Artist in Residence). @midwayart PAIR
Visual arts fund
The Visual Arts Fund is a grant program established in 2016 by Midway Contemporary Art (which recently moved into the Northeast Minneapolis...
29 December 2023
Art to Change the World has received an Arts Education Grant of $34,600 from the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB). Executive Director of ACW Barbara Bridges said "This will take care of the basic needs for our educational programming in 2024. These monies will support the training and stipends for our four major projects below.
29 December 2023
News from and about board members and offerings/activities of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District.