Help Us Create the Riverwalk Arts Quarter!
Do you have an idea for a project that will support local art entrepreneurs and help make Northfield a regional arts destination? Then mark your calendar for April 21st to attend our "Building Bridges" Town Meeting that will bring Northfielder's best ideas to light and make them a reality! Join other arts supporters at the Grand, 6:30-9:30, Tuesday evening.
In September 2008, the River Arts Quarter advocates secured a grant to partner with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation which will provide $15,000 plus training and support funds for a total of $20,000. SMIF's Town Meeting Initiative approach uses community input and collaboration to create local success.
Located near the Cannon River, our concentrated neighborhood of entrepreneurial artists and art service providers represent diverse sectors of the community. We seek to support the economic well-being of the River Arts Quarter by leveraging our collective resources.
For more information, contact RAQ and SMIF Community Coordinators Dean Kjerland / dean@artonwater.com or Felicia Peters ; felicia@northfieldartsguild.org
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Thanks to all
Thank you Jane for the post. This event is the culmination of hundreds of hours spent by volunteers, including Jane, many of whom also represent many different organizations and interests in the community. It began with an informal get together in July 2008 with a half dozen arts-connected people who felt our neighborhood might be able to light one small fire in the 'arts town' commitment of the community. We focused our efforts and earned a grant award.
Beginning in October we began working with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation through their grant process of developing and training us and a wider group of community interests to concentrate on building on the assets in the riverwalk neighborhood. At least 20 people have actively participated. The grant conditions include a process involving training in asset based community development and in building community connections.
This Tuesday's Town Meeting is the main event. It is not the dreams of the original group which get the grant, but the real ideas presented by and at this community-wide meeting of people in Northfield. The grant team has worked to keep you informed (and have now invited you) through lots of personal connections plus public information through The Northfield News, KYMN, locallygrownnorthfield.org, northfield.org, flyers, posters, etc.
Come share your ideas. We will work through the asset-based community development process and hear your specific ideas which will support the goals of the grant. That is to encourage and support the entrepreneur artists and arts services providers and exploit the assets of the riverwalk neighborhood.
Together as a community we all have the potential to make this neighborhood a vital part of the economic development of Northfield. You get to present and choose the ideas which will be funded! And we hope you will be part of the work to make them happen!
See you at The Grand...Dean Kjerland, Co-Community Coordinator, with Felicia Peters, of the Riverwalk Arts Quarter and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.