Community Planning & Economic Development

Minneapolis Arts Commission
105 5th Avenue South, Room 200
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-673-3242

Minneapolis Arts Commission

Who We Are

The Minneapolis Arts Commission was chartered in 1974 with the missionto strengthen the arts and enrich cultural life in Minneapolis. The goals of the Commission are to:

Foster development of the arts;
Stimulate participation in and appreciation of the arts by all city residents;
Encourage cooperation and coordination between artists and the various arts;
Seek financial support for the arts;
Act as an advocate for the arts before private and public agencies;
Advise the city council with respect to arts related matters;
Strive for high standards of quality in the arts; and
Represent the arts whenever possible.

The Minneapolis Arts Commission works closely with the staff of the Department of Community Planning & Economic Development-Planning Division, and shares their goal of developing a strong and vital arts community throughout Minneapolis. In 2005, the City of Minneapolis approved the City of Minneapolis Plan for Arts a ten-year strategic plan that defines the role of the City of Minneapolis in supporting the arts.

Commission Members

View the current Commission Members.

The Mayor and City Council's Role

Mayor Betsy Hodges and the Minneapolis City Council are the appointing authorities for the Commission's membership. The Mayor and the City Council made a renewed commitment to the Arts Commission in 2003. They appointed 10 new members from a pool of 50 applicants. In September, of 2002, the City Council passed a resolution directing all City Departments and strongly encouraging the City’s independent boards to bring all public art projects before the Minneapolis Arts Commission for approval. Since then, the Council has approved a range of Commission recommendations, including public art policies for the City and the establishment of the Northeast Arts District.

Commission Meeting Schedule

The Minneapolis Arts Commission meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m., Room 319, City Hall. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. The Executive Committee of the Commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month. View the full Commission meeting schedule.

Our History

The Minneapolis Arts Commission was established by City ordinance on December 20, 1974. Since then the Commission has initiated a wide variety of programs and projects, and has been an active advocate for the arts in continuing and innovative ways. See examples of the activities and accomplishments of the Commission in approximate chronological order.