The recession has presented a number of challenges to arts groups in Northfield and has made it increasingly clear that the health of the Northfield arts community depends on its ability to market itself as a regional destination.
With that in mind, here are some issues, events and organizations to watch in 2010.
Northfield Arts Guild 50th Anniversary
The arts guild’s 50th anniversary celebration, which began last summer, will spill over into 2010. At the end of February, the guild’s literary wing will commemorate the organization’s anniversary with “Write about 50,” a literary reading and competition. The guild is also planning an art auction in March, which will be the unofficial closing ceremony for the NAG’s celebration.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVERWALK ARTS QUARTER
Now that it has attained Minnesota non-profit status, the Riverwalk Arts Quarter is moving quickly to develop events and deepen its support for local arts and artists.
Currently, the organization is building a comprehensive survey of visual artists in Northfield, and is working on a series of “Art as Business” classes to help artistic entrepreneurs. The Riverwalk Arts Quarter will also serve as the fiscal agent for a group looking to create weekly “Market Faires” in downtown Northfield. The faires, according to arts quarter creator Dean Kjerland, would bring together arts and fine crafts vendors, a farmers’ market and entertainment every Saturday evening along the river.
FUNDING FOR GALLERIES AND ARTS GROUPS
Art organizations statewide continue to suffer from evaporating grant funding and a drop in donations. From changing business models to cutting budgets, expect to see arts organizations and businesses diversify, evolve or trim back in 2010 in order to grapple with the economy.
Nowhere is this more evident than with the Northfield Arts Guild. Although the guild was able to secure a grant from the McKnight Foundation and funding through Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, it still cut its annual budget by roughly $40,000 this year, according to Executive Director Ann Mosey. The guild has also hired a consultant to help the non-profit reassess its programs and restructure in 2010, Mosey said.
ARTS AND CULTURE BOARD FOLLOWS UP ON ARTSPLAN ‘06
Not only is the Arts and Culture Commission aspiring to establish stronger ties with the City Council and other city boards and commissions, it also has some initiatives underway for 2010 that could raise the profile of public art in the community.
The commission is currently pursuing plans to bring sidewalk poetry to Northfield, to create a sculpture program at the Northfield High School and to place plaques on historically significant buildings downtown. The commission would also like to establish a “Living Treasures” designation for artists or individuals who have contributed valuably to art in Northfield.
ARTORG THINKS BIGGER
ArtOrg’s fifth anniversary, according to Executive Director Dave Machacek, was a critical juncture for the organization. Now that the organization has hit its stride, Machacek wants to continue ArtOrg’s tradition of high-impact regional events and large art projects with a reprise of ArtOrg’s Thousand Print Summer project, a 50-by-100 foot “quilt” comprised of Thousand Print Summer prints and a five-sculpture public art project involving local artists.
At the same time, the organization will make efforts in 2010 to strengthen its membership and funding bases.
— David Henke covers city, business and youth issues. He can be reached at dhenke@northfieldnews.com or 645-1100.
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