The Arts District’s Mission Statement: To catalyze the innovative spirit of artists through generative community arts development.
The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District is the Minneapolis-designated arts district. As an arts District everyone wants the area to look the part. With your interest in Northeast to either preserve through redevelopment or build new, there is opportunity to make a signature building utilizing art and distinctive architecture. Working with the Arts District is a way to engage the community and build buy-in to your project. Budgets small and large can achieve wonderful results while keeping within your constraints.
Looking to build in or near the Arts District? Here are some tips and resources.
1.) New to working with artists?
- Start with the small items and build relationships by allocating your budget for fencing, entryway, signage, benches, trash receptacles and bike racks toward custom functional art that melds the vibe of your building with its surroundings.
- Interior décor budget translates into murals, art-making experiences for your residents, and original art for the walls. Lighting, furniture, metalworks, tile, glass, and fabrics are all abundant, available and affordable. We have many experienced sources for you to contact who will not break your bank.
- Site-specific sculpture, artistic architectural elements and surface/carpentry finishing planned from the beginning can help with tenant retention and need not cost more than standard-issue or import (without shipping delays).
- Consider allocating a minimum of 1-3% of the overall budget to art. The City of Minneapolis allocates 1% in its municipal projects.
2.) Be unique while honoring the realm.
Buildings and art installations should not look “formula.” With 1,200+ artists in the neighborhood there is no better time to go local. Get to know the neighbors: From formal neighborhood groups to one-on-one conversations and digging into newspaper archives, there are many sources of historical and current cultural inspiration as well as helpful feedback on your project.
3.) Consult the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District leadership and let us help you.
We have decades of experience as building owners, business owners, and artists. We keep up on the ever-evolving scene and can refer you to arts consultants and architects who are also artists or public-art knowledgeable.
Contact info:
- Jennifer Young, President of the Art District 612-788-5551
- Josh Blanc, Board Chair of the Arts District 612-781-6409
Here are three successful local examples of site-integrated art:
Schafer Richardson’s affordable Timber and Tie Apartments, 900 14th Ave. NE, leased up in three months last fall, but with COVID uncertainties, the company put off its grand opening celebration to May 19, 2022. In attendance: Dignitaries, funders, and most of the artists whose work appears in the common areas and is being installed outdoors. …read more.
For many art is essential to place and identity. Art provokes conversation and social media posts. However, art for many real estate developments tends to be an afterthought. Within the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District we want to change that process and invite all developers to integrate arts in the original budgeting process. …read more.
Minneapolis city government set transparency and one-stop-shop goals for its new Public Service Center. Several Northeast Minneapolis-based artists helped create the environment in which 1,100 city employees will work and interact with the public toward those goals. …read more.
More public art in the District
Examples of Public Art in developments all around Northeast Minneapolis are prevelant. Here is a sample of some you have most likely seen as you walk, bike or drive around the community.
