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Arts and Culture Commission
Mission
The City of Northfield's Arts and Culture Commission supports the arts, culture and creative experiences as ways for us to connect with one another, with ideas, and with ourselves.
Vision
We envision Northfield as a community which values, integrates and engages in arts and cultural experiences - in all our diversity - into the fabric of civic life.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
We stand on the homelands of the Wahpekute Band of the Dakota Nation. We honor with gratitude the people who have stewarded the land throughout the generations and their ongoing contributions to this region. We acknowledge the ongoing injustices that we have committed against the Dakota Nation, and we wish to interrupt this legacy, beginning with acts of healing and honest storytelling about this place.
Meetings
Second Monday of the month
4:30 p.m.
Northfield Public Library
Library Meeting Room
210 Washington St.
Important documents and links
Ordinance 855- Established the Arts and Culture Commission
Agendas and minutes
Members
Name | Title | Term expiration |
---|---|---|
Todd Edwards | Member | December 31, 2022 |
Cynthia Gilbertson | Secretary | December 31, 2021 |
Paula Granquist | Member | December 31, 2023 |
Karna Hauck | Member | December 31, 2022 |
Teresa Jensen | Member | December 31, 2021 |
Matthew Klooster | Member | December 31, 2022 |
Heather Lawrenz | Chair | December 31, 2023 |
Bob Thacker | Member | December 31, 2021 |
Juliane Shibata | Member | December 31, 2021 |
Kamalie Nieves | Youth Representative (non-voting) | 2020-2021 school year |
Madeline McDermott | Youth Representative (voting) | 2020-2021 school year |
Edie Meehan | Youth Representative (non-voting) | 2020-2021 school year |
Sam Nelson | Youth Representative (non-voting) | 2020-2021 school year |
Staff liaisons
Name | Title | Phone number |
---|---|---|
Natalie Draper | Library Director | 507-645-1801 |
Kathy Rush Vizina | Administrative liaison | 507-645-1800 |
Overview
The Arts and Culture Commission advises the City Council about the development of arts and cultural activities, organizations, and facilities in Northfield. The Arts and Culture Commission was created by City Council in January 2007 following a recommendation from ArtsPlan06 which identified its mission. Its purpose is to assist Northfield in becoming a community in which arts and cultural activities:
- Are recognized as vital components of community life worthy of investment and support from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors
- Are valued and promoted for their economic benefits and development potential, especially in the downtown
- Include new ethnic groups in Northfield’s identity and sense of community
- Represent an integral part of Northfield’s educational mission and programs for young people
- Engage the talents and involvement of retirees and senior citizens
- Develop a wider array of opportunities for collaboration between faculty and student artists at the two colleges and community artists
- Cooperate to enhance the public perception of Northfield’s identity and quality of life in the community itself, the surrounding region, and beyond
Meetings are called by the chair. For transaction of business at any meeting, a majority of members shall constitute a quorum.
2019 accomplishments
- Passed the Cultural Plan in March and formed implementation subcommittees
- Funded the first public art project through the 1% for the Arts initiative facilitated through the Public Art Review Process (PARC), an information kiosk located that the corner of Division Street and 6th created by Rick Swearer, Keeney Swearer and Howard Ostrue
- Worked with the Public Works Department to recommend approval of the Banner Policy
- Accepted and awarded first ever Spanish poems in the Sidewalk Poetry Program
- Installed new “Welcome” banners on Division Street, funded by the NDDC, created by artist Steve Maus
- Awarded 2019 Living Treasure Award to musician and educator Donna Paulsen
2020 major projects
- Partnering with the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation on the Artists on Main Street Initiative (AOMS)
- Implementing the Public Art Review Process for five separate projects (kiosk, AOMS, bench, banners, and roundabout)
Ongoing projects
The Arts and Culture Commission has initiated a number of special projects, including:
Membership requirements
Members are appointed by the mayor with the approval of the City Council.
Members, based on their willingness to serve and background, are appointed from various sectors of the community, including arts and cultural organizations, Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges, local schools, business community, independent artists, and the community at large.
Applying
-
Apply for a board, commission, or task force
Applications are also available at:
City Hall
801 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057Northfield Public Library
210 Washington Street
Northfield, MN 55057