Renowned Local Artist Aldo Moroni Presents “Forty Years” Exhibition and Events

Solo exhibition “Forty Years” features works created by Aldo Moroni

Renowned local artist, Aldo Moroni, is celebrating his 40th year as professional fine artist by presenting a collection of 40 works of art. Most are ceramic wall sculpture sconces that light up (a sample of which is pictured above). There will also be a collection of free standing ceramic garden sculptures. Moroni’s images are architectural, and reflect his lifelong love affair with the city history and architecture.

The featured work is a very large 10 foot long, 4 foot tall, ceramic mountain scape populated with hundreds of small scale buildings. This work will be under construction throughout the show run, with Moroni on site between 11:00am and 2:00pm Monday through Friday as he creates this massive work. The mountain scape is titled “The Wrath of Vanity”. The piece shows bold, threatening skyscrapers surrounding and looking down on a ghetto of dilapidated burned out buildings. It is about the haves and the have-nots. It is about power and the abuse of power. Some of the skyscrapers have names emblazoned across them, such as Frump Tower, Chump Tower and Grump Tower. Per Moroni, "Yes, this is political!" 

The opening reception is Wednesday, January 25, 4:00pm - 9:00pm at ChinDian, 1500 East Hennepin Avenue, with courtesy appetizers and a cash bar.

Exhibition dates: January 25 -­ February 15
Hours: Monday ­ Thursday 11:00am ­ 2:30pm
            Friday 11:00am ­ 2:30pm
            Saturday 5:00pm ­ 9:00pm
            Sunday CLOSED

Associated events at ChinDian include:

Gallery Artist Talk
February 8, 2:00pm - 3:00pm Tea service
Moroni will present a 1 hour discussion with images of his 40-year experience in the art world. Names will be named and stories will be told.

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Valentine Singles Night (Couples can sneak in!)
February 14, 5:00pm -­ 9:00pm
This one is a party. It’s about meeting and greeting new people. Attendees who would like to have dinner should call ahead and reserve a table, 612-676-1818.
Parking: Free lot, metered on-street

Moroni's first museum exhibition, "Scale and Environment, ten sculptors", was curated by Martin Friedman and was presented at The Walker Art Center in 1979. Moroni has an international following, but has always been based in Minneapolis. He is a fellow of Arts Midwest, The National Endowment for The Arts, The Minnesota State Arts Board, The McKnight Foundation, The Bush Foundation and others. His works are included in more than 50 public collections and thousands of private collections, and has had more than 100 exhibitions across the country. He can be reached at artdadio@icloud.com or 612-806-7719.

Demetrius Young - a People Serving People Success Story

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

I was honored to be in the audience on a night when Demetrius Young, a former guest of People Serving People, gave a speech about his experiences there. If you have ever wondered about the experience of being homeless as a child, or about the impact People Serving People has on the guests who stay there, please read these words from Demetrius:

"My family and I came here to Minnesota to start a new life, my mom had previously lived up here many years ago and knew that she wanted to come back. We came here with no money and on perhaps the coldest day of the entire month of November. As children my two sisters and I were cold, frightened, and completely oblivious to the fact that my mom felt all these emotions as well. We were lost and wandering around downtown Minneapolis looking for century plaza carrying heavy luggage. Now it’s bad enough to carry heavy luggage but to do it on a freezing cold day was even worse. We sat down to rest in front of the fountain on 10th and Nicollet and my mom had admitted to me later that at that moment she wanted to give up because we had been wandering for hours. At that moment a lady who I consider an angel came up to my mom and said “you look lost where are you headed?” my mom told her and she said well you are in luck if you keep walking that way a couple of more blocks you will run right into it.

It was through Century plaza that we found People Serving People and the wonderful people who worked there. It was there that even in the chaos of us being displaced that I felt as a family we were safe. While my mom had a goal for us not to spend Christmas there, I feel had it not been for the case managers and other supportive staff we would have not completed that goal. While we did leave and get our own place, my mom applied for the transitional housing program that was offered where at the end of the program you get to move into a town house.

While in the program my sisters and I got to participate in a mentorship program where college students would come and hang out with us and just spend time. It was here that I first thought about going to college.

It had been a while since I had been back to visit People Serving People, as my family moved back to Chicago to help take care of my grandma when she got sick. I reconnected with People Serving People through my summer internship that I had working with Mayor Hodges and her talking is teaching initiative. I had kept in touch with Margo who was one of the angels that really helped my family with school supplies and just caring about where we went in life.

I don’t like to think of an alternative for myself and my life because I feel that everything happens the way it’s supposed to happen but I know that my mom, my sisters and myself would not be the people we are today without People Serving People.

I am a senior graduating in the spring from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota with a degree in human services because I want to help people the way I was helped.

I want you to know that what you do no matter how little matters, because it mattered to me. 

Thank you."

Demetrius is one of thousands of people who have benefited from the help they received at People Serving People. Located in the Mill District at 614 3^rd Street South, it is designed to help homeless and at-risk children and their families manage crisis situations and build a strong foundation for their long-term success. It is the largest and most comprehensive, family-focused homeless shelter in Minnesota. The 10-story building has 99 emergency housing units and 10 two-bedroom supportive housing apartments. According to the recent “Homelessness in Minnesota” study by Wilder Research, children with parents continue to make up over one-third of the state’s homeless population. The 99 emergency housing units are consistently at or near capacity.

People Serving People statistics for 2015:

• Served 3,086 individuals in 1,125 families experiencing homelessness
• Served, on average, 348 guests each day  
• Served families 41 days as an average length of stay
• 16 years old was the average age of all guests
• 59% of guests were children, 6 years old was the average age of the children
• 415 children enrolled in the early childhood development classrooms
• 790 children learned, enjoyed, and connected with peers in after-school enrichment and activities
• 238 parents found employment
• 305 parents learned and supported each other in parent engagement
• 271 guests participated in mental health skills and support groups
• 10 low-income adults graduated from our Culinary Arts Training program
• 5,000 volunteers donated 30,009 volunteer hours
• 235,669 meals were served
• 35-40 school buses arrived daily to transport children to schools in Hennepin County

People Serving People fills a vital niche in our community. Without them, families would have few resources.  They manage to serve the entire family and provide resources and support for each member of each family during their stay. People Serving People takes a comprehensive approach to helping families experiencing homelessness. They begin with the basics, providing families with a safe place to stay, access to basic toiletries, and three nutritious meals a day in their kitchen/dining hall. When immediate basic needs are met, families can begin to address the barriers they face to achieving stability.

As a part of their efforts to increase the stability of children in the community, People Serving People is embarking on a new external initiative, the Center of Excellence. This initiative not only expands their physical presence to two sites, it also marks a shift in their service population to include children and families at-risk of becoming homeless. Operating upstream of the shelter system will help stabilize families to prevent them from becoming homeless. The Center is located in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, within the Lutheran Social Services Center for Changing Lives building. It will feature early education, school-age support, and parental engagement services to homeless and at-risk children and their families. In addition to building on their strength providing direct care services, the Center will feature research, development, and training to improve the field of family resilience and trauma-informed education and service. People Serving People plans to scale up the Center, beginning with early childhood classrooms opening this spring.

How can you help? People Serving People’s work is fueled by the generosity of volunteers and donors. Check out the many ways of getting involved at their website, www.PeopleServingPeople.org.

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

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Editor's note:

People Serving People has two upcoming Chefs for Change events during which you have the opportunity to tour the facility prior to enjoying a fabulous multi-course meal. Click on the link to learn more!

16th Annual Kite Festival Announced

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board present’s the 16th Annual Kite Festival.  Kites of all shapes, sizes, colors and themes will fly over frozen Lake Harriet! Fun family festival activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing and ice fishing on the lake, and a marshmallow roast. Minnesota Kite Society experts will demonstrate maneuvering spectacular kites throughout the day, offer their expertise to kite flying enthusiasts and to those who are new to the pastime. Bring your own kite, or buy an inexpensive one at the lake.

The Kite Festival is a FREE family oriented, outdoor event which takes place on Saturday, January 28th, 2017 from noon to 4 pm.  The Kite Festival is great for all ages and abilities.  Held at the north end of Lake Harriet near the Bandshell (4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway).  Free lot parking is available on site, please keep in mind lots fill quickly, however free, on-street parking is available throughout the neighborhood.  West Lake Harriet Parkway delays are expected. Allow ample time to find a spot and walk to the venue.

Draft of Downtown Service Area Master Plan Available for Public Review and Comment

Review and comment on long-term plan for Downtown Minneapolis parks!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking comments on a draft of the Downtown Service Area Master Plan (DSAMP). This document will guide outdoor improvements at all non-riverfront downtown parks (Elliot Park, Franklin Steele Square, Gateway Park, Loring Park, Park Avenue Triangle) for the next 20-30 years, as well as the potential acquisition and development of new parkland within downtown Minneapolis.

The draft DSAMP is the result of more than two years of community-based planning and design. Public comments will be accepted until March 4, 2017.

At the conclusion of the open comment period, MPRB staff will compile all comments, modify the plan and present the revised plan to the Board of Commissioners for possible adoption. A public hearing will take place at that time.

Review and Comment

The plan is available online on the DSAMP project page. Printed copies are available at Elliot Recreation Center, Loring Community Arts Center and MPRB headquarters. Community members may comment by filling out a brief online survey, filling out a printed survey at one of the locations listed above or by emailing or phoning the contact listed below.

Take Online Survey

View Plan on Project Page

The Commons 2017 Debut Event: Midwinter Light

The Commons is pleased to announce its 2017 debut event Midwinter Light: creating art with ice and light, an installation by artist Jennifer Hedberg of Wintercraft. The five-day event is free and open to the public.

Midwinter Light: creating art with ice and light

January 27 - 31
Dusk - 10pm
Stroll through The Commons and view artistic luminary creations. The candlelit and LED ice installations make for a magical midwinter night. Sculptures by Jennifer Hedberg of Wintercraft. Weather permitting.

January 29
4 - 8pm
A family-friendly event!
Warm up by a fire, enjoy some light music, and sip on free hot chocolate provided by Radisson RED Minneapolis.

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents Minnesota 13

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents Minnesota 13

Minnesota craft brewing is not just a 21st century story of taprooms and food trucks. During Prohibition one of the best and most popular moonshines in the country, known as Minnesota 13, came from Stearns County, Minnesota. Local directors Norah Shapiro and Kelly Nathe pull the curtain back on this little-known story in Minnesota history. Widely regarded as the only branded moonshine of its day, Minnesota 13 was created by church-going farmers with the support of everyone in their community. Double-distilled and aged in oak barrels, Minnesota 13 was far from the bathtub booze the era was famous for.

More info

A Deal From The Guthrie to Help Melt Away the Winter Doldrums

See 4 plays for as little as $80!

Enjoy huge savings on tickets and the most flexibility for your busy schedule. Choose the plays you want to see, put the dates on your calendar and exchange your tickets into another performance if something pops up. It's that easy!

PICK FOUR PLAYS:

The Royal Family
A comedic valentine to the theater
January 28 – March 19

King Lear
Shakespeare’s epic tragedy
February 11 – April 2

The Bluest Eye
A moving adaptation of a powerful novel
April 15 – May 21

Refugia
A relevant and evocative world premiere
May 13 – June 11

Sunday in the Park with George
Stephen Sondheim’s artistic masterpiece
June 17 – August 20

Native Gardens
A hilarious hot button comedy
July 15 – August 20

Buy online or call the Season Ticket Office at 612.225.6238, Mon - Sat: 11am - 5pm for info.

NOTE: Must order by January 31!

Free Admission to National Parks on These Dates in 2017

The National Park Foundation invites you to kick off the National Park Service's second century by exploring your national inheritance! For these ten days in 2017, all national parks across the country will waive admission fees, so grab your calendar and start making plans.

The 2017 free entrance days will fall on:

January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 20: Presidents Day

April 15-16 and 22-23: Weekends of National Park Week

August 25: National Park Service Birthday

September 30: National Public Lands Day

November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend

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There are more than 400 natural, cultural, and historical gems across the National Park System. No matter what your passions or interests are, there’s a park that will speak to you! Just get out there , explore as many as possible, and find your park. 

Sign up for Citizens Academy, a behind-the-scenes look at Hennepin County

Via a January 11 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Sign up for Citizens Academy, a behind-the-scenes look at Hennepin County

Learn how county government works to serve its residents by enrolling in Hennepin County Citizens Academy, a free, eight-week series that takes you up close to the people, places and processes that make our county a great place to live.

Participants visit various county facilities, meet county leaders and get a peek behind the scenes. Find out how many miles a snowplow operator plows during an average winter, who answers 911 calls and what a typical day looks like for a county commissioner.

Session schedule

The series will run from March 16 to May 17. Sessions will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Brooklyn Center, Medina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka and Plymouth.

• Week 1, March 16: Hennepin County Board, budget, property assessing 
• Week 2, March 22: Community works, environment and energy 
• Week 3, March 29: Health and medical services 
• No session April 5 or April 12
• Week 4, April 19: Public Defender’s Office, County Attorney's Office, 4th Judicial District Court 
• Week 5, April 26: Human services 
• Week 6, May 3: Corrections and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office 
• Week 7, May 10: Transportation and emergency management 
• Week 8, May 17: Information technology, facility services, elections, workforce development, volunteering 

Learn more and register

Find registration information, session topics, materials, locations and more by visiting http://www.hennepin.us/your-government/get-involved/citizens-academy

2019 NCAA Final Four Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee Officially Launches

Via a January 10 Press Release from Meet Minneapolis:

The 2019 NCAA Final Four Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee (MLOC) officially “tipped off” the 28-month planning period in their specially designed office space at U.S. Bank Plaza today. MLOC President and CEO Kate Mortenson was joined by NCAA Managing Director of Men’s Basketball Championships JoAn Scott, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Minnesota Lynx star Lindsay Whalen to share more information about the committee’s plans and community impact focus for the April 2019 event.

Preparation for one of the largest events in sports will take place in a 2,200 square-foot space in the specially designed space built by donations from more than 30 local vendors and businesses featuring NCAA and Final Four branding, actual court flooring, a full-sized backboard, HD screens, commissioned art elements, offices, conference and breakout areas. Rent has been waived as a donation to support the local organizing committee. Additionally, leading local companies, plus some national corporate champions and partners of the NCAA contributed their products and services to the office buildout, preserving resources for the committee’s impact initiatives.

“Our office buildout project really demonstrates our excitement to have one of the biggest events in sports back in Minneapolis,” said Mortenson. “We want our NCAA partners to know that ‘winning happens here.’ Our community will put on a great event, be highly inclusive and also have a positive impact on our youth, who are uniquely inspired by the student-athletes who make it to the Final Four.”                                                

The MLOC sees an opportunity via the Final Four to have a lasting, positive impact in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region. The vision for this impact includes a yearlong outreach to students in the region and leveraging the unique excitement of a Final Four to inspire students around the health, wellness and achievement objectives that are the priorities of school partners. In addition to providing programming that supports educational goals, the MLOC will celebrate student achievements with special access to Final Four-related events during the championship weekend, making Final Four events inclusive and accessible for youth. Additionally, the MLOC’s operations will reflect the increasing diversity that is a strength in our region.

“I’m truly pleased that the Final Four in Minneapolis will leave a lasting legacy focused on youth and inclusion,” said Mayor Hodges. “Showcasing our growing diversity and the talented professionals of color in our region are big opportunities this event affords us.”

Many events during Final Four, which will be held April 5 – 8, 2019, are family friendly and free or low cost.  

“On behalf of the NCAA, Dan Gavitt and the Division I men’s basketball committee, we are thrilled to stage our 81st championship in this beautiful city in 2019,” said Scott. “Minneapolis is a three-time Final Four host, but obviously this will be the first time we will crown our national champion in U.S. Bank Stadium. We are excited to bring the NCAA’s premier event to this great facility located in a vibrant downtown that our teams and fans will love. We can’t thank enough our hosts from the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee, as well as our host institution, the University of Minnesota, for the work they’ve already done, and everything they will do over the course of the next two years.

“The Final Four is so much bigger than three basketball games. There are a number of activities that will take place leading up to and during the Final Four, and the NCAA is committed to leaving a legacy of community engagement in each host city that extends far beyond championship weekend. For that reason, the planning is underway to make this the best event it can be.”

2019 NCAA Final Four Event Overview

In 2014, Minneapolis was named by the NCAA to host the 2019 Men’s Final Four. Millions of fans from around the globe will track this signature celebration of collegiate athletic competition by following “the road to Minneapolis™.” Events that comprise the Final Four include:

· Semifinal and Championship games played in U.S. Bank Stadium

· A three-day Music Festival with national acts that is free and open to the public

· A family-friendly Fan Fest, which celebrates all things college basketball 

· A special lunch celebration welcoming player families

· Myriad other events and activities during the year leading up to the event to engage youth, promote student athletic competition and build excitement throughout the host region

About the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee

The Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee (MLOC) was formed to plan and deliver the Men’s Final Four in Minneapolis as a local partner to the NCAA. The committee includes the University of Minnesota as the host institution, Sports Minneapolis and Meet Minneapolis as liaisons to the city and hospitality community and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, representing the game venue, U.S. Bank Stadium.

Statement from the Minneapolis Downtown Council Re: Macy's

January 4, 2017

The Minneapolis Downtown Council has released the following Statement regarding the sale of the Macy’s building in Downtown Minneapolis and the store closing by Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council:

The news that Macy’s is closing its Minneapolis store is not surprising in the light of changes affecting downtown retailing across the nation. For many years the former Dayton’s building has been an underutilized asset at the center of our business district, with hundreds of thousands of vacant square feet. With the sale of the building to an experienced, well capitalized developer with urban retail experience – 601 W Companies – we have an opportunity to revitalize this iconic structure in the heart of downtown. Combined with the soon to be completed new Nicollet Mall, continued growth of our residential population, and the in-migration of businesses from across the region, a revitalized Dayton’s building will add to the positive momentum downtown is experiencing. I look forward to meeting with 601 W Companies and City officials early next week to begin discussing plans for a new future for an old building that holds a warm spot in the hearts of people throughout Minnesota.

Leah Wong, Vice President of External Relations
Minneapolis Downtown Council
81 S. 9th Street, Suite 260, Minneapolis, MN 55402
leahw@downtownminneapolis.com
Cell: 612.269.7986
Direct: 612.656.3816

Streets Closures Around US Bank Stadium for Sunday’s Vikings Game w/ Da Bears

Several streets will close near US Bank Stadium for the Sunday, January 1, Noon Vikings game.

Beginning at 5:00am Sunday:
· Chicago Avenue, from Fourth Street to Sixth Street will close.

Beginning at 9:00am Sunday:
· Fourth Street from Park Avenue to Interstate 35W.
· Norm McGrew Place from Third Street to Fourth Street.

These street closings are for traffic safety and security needs related to a large stadium event. All streets will reopen about one hour after the completion of the game.

Spoonriver Has Something Special for You During the Month of January

Fresh food for a fresh start in 2017!

Through the month of January, Spoonriver has a special offer just for their neighbors:  mention "Mill City Times" and receive a complimentary Appetizer & Dessert with the purchase of Dinner for Two.

Happy New Year from the staff at Spoonriver!

Spoon Dips appetizer

Mediteranean Croquette Special

Dessert tray

Ride Metro Transit for Free on New Years Eve

Celebrate New Year’s Eve responsibly and get a free ride!

On December 31, customers can ride free from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on all Metro Transit routes – buses, METRO lines and Northstar. No fare, no coupons – simply hop on and take a seat for free!

Whether you’ll be out celebrating or you’re not interested in driving alongside those who are, riding Metro Transit is an easy, safe alternative.

Free rides will also be available on Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and Anoka Transit routes.

Miller Lite Free Rides is a community service program in partnership with Metro Transit and Miller Lite.

Get more details and a list of late-night routes here!

Wishing You a Vintage Betty Crocker Christmas

Recipe for Christmas fun: 3D cookie ornaments - made with Gold Medal Flour, of course! 

Now Showing & Coming Soon to the Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

Here's what's showing now and coming soon to The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul’s St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 SE Main Street.

​December 23 - January 5- THE EAGLE HUNTRESS​ 

​December 30- January 5- EVOLUTION

January 6 - January 12- I AM NOT MADAME BOVARY​

January 6 - January 12- RAILROAD TIGERS

January 9 at 7pm + January 14 at 1pm - NTL: NO MAN'S LAND

January 21 at 1pm + January 23 at 7pm - NTL: ANA KARENINA ​

February 20 at 7pm + February 25 at 1pm - NTL: AMADEUS ​​

March 6 at 7pm + March 11 at 1pm - NTL: SAINT JOAN 

March 27 at 7pm + April 1 at 1pm - NTL: HEDDA GABLER​​

Scherer Site 'Parcel D' Developer Feedback and Next Steps

Via a December 21 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

MPRB evaluating potential adjustments to strategy for developing Parcel D of Scherer site

Background

On Nov. 17, 2016, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from private development teams interested in working with MPRB and the community to create a concept plan that would lead to development of the “Parcel D” portion of the former Scherer Brothers site. Development of the site, as contemplated in the RiverFirst Initiative and Above the Falls Master Plans, is intended to aid in activating and financially supporting the future park site.

The RFQ followed a 2015 Request for Proposals (RFP) that was issued exclusively to Graco and Ryan Corporation, which was ultimately rejected by the Board of Commissioners due to a lack of alignment with Performance Standards that have been established for the site. The updated RFQ was intended to provide for a more qualitative review of respondents and ideas. The selected team would be awarded an Exclusive Rights Period to create a concept plan for the site. Development of the plan would include community engagement through an appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Project Advisory Committee (PAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Upon Board approval of the recommended concept plan MPRB would then enter into a Contract for Private Development with the developer for final design and construction of the improvements on Parcel D.
 
Prior to releasing the RFQ, MPRB staff met with community stakeholders as well as development teams that expressed potential interest in developing the site. The final RFQ included feedback received from the PAC, TAC, CAC and attendees of a public meeting regarding the process and site.
 
Responses

Responses to the RFQ were due no later than 4:00 PM on Dec. 16, 2016. No responses were received.

At least three development teams had expressed initial interest in developing the site. MPRB staff followed up with members of those teams to better understand why they chose not to submit a response at this time. A summary of that feedback follows:

1. Several teams expressed concern over the idea of a land lease as contemplated in the performance standards for the site. While the RFQ gave development teams an opportunity to suggest alternate financial structures, projections of significant future park operating and maintenance costs (created by MPRB consultants during the Riverfirst Initiative) coupled with the land lease structure proved a barrier to some possible teams.
2. The proposed community engagement process was also a deterrent to potential development teams. Developers expressed concern over being selected based on their strengths and then having a community process drive a concept plan that their team may or may not be best suited to implement. This was perceived as having too significant an upfront investment by the development team for a process that was not completely within their control.
3. Challenges of the site, including neighboring industrial uses, the small amount of land available for development, the geography of the site in proximity to streets, a high water table, and high tension electrical lines on the site were also cited as reasons developers did not respond.
4. Developers also pointed to the Performance Standards emphasis on structured parking and a mixture of intended uses as a challenge to creating a financially successful development on the site.
5. Finally, more than one developer stated that their offices are very busy right now and they are being very selective in new work. Therefore they had to weigh the strengths and challenges of this project against other, more straightforward, opportunities.
 
Next Steps

1. Inform the CAC and confirm the date for the next meeting.
2. Reinforce the notion that this approach is intended to deliver a superior project. The MPRB is not intending to back away from that goal.
3. Evaluate assumptions of the Performance Standards, ground lease strategy, and operations cost thresholds to determine necessary adjustments.
4. Strategize other methods of creating a relationship with developers for the site, including holding the land until the concerns noted above are no longer a concern.

R.T. Rybak: I Hope I Never Take This for Granted

From R.T. Ryback of The Minneapolis Foundation:

In just a few minutes last week, I got the best present anyone could possibly give me this year: Coming around a corner in our Minneapolis Foundation offices, I saw five members of our team surrounding a table piled high with checks they were stuffing into envelopes. They had to form this ad hoc assembly line because so many checks are going out before the end of the year to good causes in the community. Those checks go to organizations that make schools better, put people to work and families into homes, protect the environment, cure diseases, nurture the arts… the list goes on.

This is probably old hat to a lot of people who have been at The Minneapolis Foundation for a while—and on some scale this has been going on for the entire 100 years the Foundation has been around. But in this, my first December on the job, it was an awesome moment. This is when it sinks in that we have 1,200 charitable funds that put $60-80 million into the community every year.

I knew all this before I started the job, but being on the inside for my first year-end really brings it to life:

For months, we have been meeting with people who already have a fund, people who want to start one and people who just want to find some way to do something good for the community. Some of them are people with enormous wealth, but the big surprise is how many people of relatively modest means have put together a few thousand dollars because it means a lot to be able to give it away.

This time of year, many of our donors are on the phone with our Philanthropic Advisors, finalizing how much they will put into their funds to give away. Every time someone opens another charitable fund, we play music on the loudspeaker. (It’s usually a really cheesy song, but it sounds great because we know it means more money to give away.)

For months, we have been meeting with people doing some amazing things in the community. On a lot of levels, everything sounds worthy, so much of the work is trying to make really tough choices between very good groups. So for the past few weeks, our Community Impact team has been working late to finish their recommendations for our competitive grants in education, economic vitality and civic engagement. With their help, in January, we’ll send $5 million more out the door.

While our Philanthropic Advisors and Community Impact team work with our donors and the groups that receive grants, a large part of our operation spends most of the time working in less visible ways to get money in and out the door. They do everything from developing marketing campaigns to processing those stacks of checks to managing all the data to developing smart strategies for investing the nearly $700 million in assets that we manage.

This brings it back to those five people sitting around the table as I walk in the door: Colleen, Andrea, Rush, Joyce and Nancy. They are the glue of the office, running the front of the office, as well as managing the systems that get the money from donors to grantees. They are the people closest to my desk, so I see them throughout the day, and it’s really inspirational to watch how much passion they bring to the work.

I don't want to overdo my point. While the Foundation is filled with people doing good every day, this isn't Santa's workshop. This is a sophisticated, complex operation dealing with many millions of dollars and deeply consequential choices about community impact.

But here in my first year-end at the Foundation, seeing it all come together, I'm in awe as I see what it really takes to make Minneapolis the most generous community in the country. And I've already gotten a better present than anyone could give me.

Best,

R.T. Rybak
President and CEO
The Minneapolis Foundation

Call for Artists: "Glitch Art Is Dead: Minneapolis"

Via a December 20 e-newsletter from Gamut Gallery:

Hosted by Gamut Gallery, the Minneapolis iteration of this project will feature around 30 national and international artists and will run from March 11 until April 1, 2017. It will also include a two-day convention of workshops, presentations and debates about Glitch Art. The run will be capped off with a night of performances by local noise musicians curated by Alex Kmett, with additional performances from local video jockeys.

Glitch Art is an artistic phenomenon of internet culture. Although its roots go back into the 20th century, it is a nascent artistic movement with a far flung, but significantly sized community. The Glitch Art is Dead: Minneapolis exhibition aims to deny its title, introducing the viewer to a wide spectrum of artwork that shows the vitality of the medium.

A glitch (in a visual and graphic sense) is a malfunction of a digital system, a computer error which can turn images into bizarre and colorful compositions. Images can be turned into sound or opened as word documents. You can change bytes in the code of a file to twist and distort it or you can strap magnets to a VCR and see what happens when you press play.

The Glitch community is centered around the Glitch Collective with a Facebook following of about 53,000 people. It is the initiative's goal to foster a deep sense of community by bringing these digital denizens into the real world by exhibiting emerging artists with established ones and to connect local artists with those based nationally and internationally. To this end, the curators are arranging for several artists from the UK, France, Poland, Croatia and across the U.S. to attend the exhibition and present at the convention.

Curated and organized by Aleksandra Pieńkosz (Krakow), Zoe Stawska (Warsaw) and Miles Taylor (Minneapolis), the initiative began in 2015 with the Glitch Art is Deadexhibition in Kraków. The exhibit was hosted by Teatr Barakah in Krakow, Poland and ran from September until mid-October. It featured a day of workshops run by Aleksandra Pieńkosz and Tomasz Sulej, a respected and knowledgeable  authority in the Glitch community, who will be reprising his role for the Minneapolis convention. An exhibition book, edited by Pienkosz and published by Hub Wydawniczy Rozdzielczość Chleba, features artists from the first exhibition as well as discourse on glitch art and is set to be released on December 17th.

An open call for artists will run from December 17 until January 19 with submission details here.

ADDITIONAL DATES
Opening Reception // Friday, March 11th, 7-11pm
Featuring live musical and VJ performances
$5

Glitch Art Convention // Saturday, March 18 - Sunday, March 19

Closing Reception // Friday, March 31

A night of noise music curated by Alex Kmett

HOSTED BY
Gamut Gallery
717 S 10th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404 

SPONSORED BY
Springboard for the Arts
308 Prince Street, Suite 270
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101

CONTACT
https://www.facebook.com/glitchartisdeadpl
glitch.art.is.dead@gmail.com
Local organizer: Miles Taylor, 507.829.3196

MORE INFORMATION

Glitch Artists Collective: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Glitchcollective/

Curated Glitch Artists Collective Page: https://www.facebook.com/glitchartistscollective

Tutorials: http://www.glitchet.com/resources

Hear Sherman Associates' 205 Park Ave S Redevelopment Update Dec 22 at Open Book

 

Via a December 20 e-newsletter from the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA):

There will be a Special Land Use Committee meeting on Thursday, December 22, at 5:30pm at Open Book - 2nd floor conference room, to hear an update from Shane LaFave at Sherman Associates regarding the 205 Park Avenue South redevelopment project.