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Contact: Noel James
Office of Office of Cultural Affairs
Phone: 612.673.5442
Minneapolis Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence in the Arts
MINNEAPOLIS (November 13, 2000) - City of Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles
Belton, City Council President Jackie Cherryhomes join the Office of
Cultural Affairs Director, Noel James in acknowledging 25 years of the
Minneapolis Arts Commission. The 25th Anniversary Celebration will be held
Wednesday, November 15, at the Grand Hotel at Café della Vita at 615 2nd
Avenue South, in downtown Minneapolis.
Twenty-five years ago, artists, educators, businesspersons and community
leaders advocated for the City of Minneapolis to recognize the positive
impact of the arts in our city.
Due to the dedication and commitment by a number of individuals, the
Minneapolis City Council approved the Minneapolis Arts Commission on
December 23, 1974. At this time, City Council President, Lou DeMars, and
first term, 7th Ward City Council Member, Lee Munnich guided this concept
through the City Council process. The city ordinance declared:
"A Minneapolis Arts Commission is hereby established as a commission of
government of the City of Minneapolis with responsibility to foster
development of the arts; to stimulate participation in and appreciation of
the arts by all city residents; to encourage cooperation and coordination
between artists and the various arts; to seek financial support for the
arts; to act as an advocate for the arts before private and public agencies;
to advise the Minneapolis City Council with respect to arts related matters;
to strive for high standards of quality in the arts whenever possible."
Throughout the years, a number of programs and events developed as a result
of the Minneapolis Arts Commission. These include FORECAST - a Twin
Cities-based organization that supports the development and appreciation of
public art and ARTSPACE whose mission is to create and manage space where
artist can live, work, exhibit, perform and conduct business.
Since 1975, the programs and activities of the Commission have impacted
countless residents. The programs established by the Commission have
contributed aesthetically to our communities and nurtured community
relationships through the arts.
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