Community Engagement Artists
We asked nine artists to reinterpret the Imagine 2050 planning process and their vision for the future of the region in their chosen artistic medium. We received a wide range of incredible projects from sound gardens to posters to projections to youth workshops to community murals and other displays.
Upcoming Events
Abundant Cities: Climate, Environment, and Connection
Thursday, March 20, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Walker Art Center - Walker Cinema
The biennial series Abundant Cities returns to the Walker to continue an exploration of civic life and our region at the intersections of art, culture, and climate. This free talk brings together both national and local thought leaders working across government, civics, and art spaces in relation to the environment. Featuring moderator Deborah Cullinan and panelists Katy Lackey, Amanda Lovelee, Roopali Phadke, and Benny Starr, the group convenes at a time when cross-sector conversations and collaborative solutions are especially needed.
Join us before the panel discussion for a reception, where you can play a round of a policy card game and win a free drink.
This event requires a free ticket. Registration is available online. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Gallery admission is free on Thursday nights, 5–9 pm.
Co-presented with the Walker Art Center.
Earth Day Water Party
Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Malcolm Yards
Join the Metropolitan Council, Towerside Innovation District, and the Freshwater Society for an evening celebrating Earth Day. Water connects us all – it is important to be good stewards of water, in our region and beyond, to ensure clean and plentiful water for future generations. Enjoy tasty snacks and refreshments while connecting with artists, engaged residents, and industry professionals.
Immerse yourself in the world of water through:
- a panel discussion about the ways in which water weaves connection through government, recreation, arts, and culture – and where you fit in!
- interactive art-creation
- relaxing sound bath experiences
- vast projections on the United Crushers building including footage from water treatment processes and water-related graphics and animations
- tabling displays by organizations from around our region
Past Events
Caponi Art Park Sound Garden, 1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
James Everest
Saturday, September 14, noon - 4:00 p.m.
Caponi Art Park Sound Garden, 1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
James Everest
Sunday, September 15, noon - 4:00 p.m.
Chromazone Mural & Art Festival, 2171 University Ave W Suite 100, St Paul, MN 55114
Thomasina Top Bear and Angela Casselton
Friday, September 20, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Parks After Dark Sound Garden, 2595 Crosby Farm RoadSaint Paul, MN, 55116United States
James Everest
Friday, September 20, 8:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Art, Policy, Pizza & Ping Pong at Lebanon Hills, 860 Cliff Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
James Everest, Melodee Strong, Peter Haakon Thompson
Sunday, September 22, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Youth City Planning Workshop at the MN History Museum, 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102
Corrin Wendell
Saturday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Meet the artists
James will create and install interactive sound gardens at multiple regional parks to showcase the connection between parks and water — and invite people to share their thoughts on the future of these systems.
Peter will create multiple pop-up events at regional parks. Each event will feature a flag-making workshop where participants visually represent their hopes for the future of Met Council systems. The finished flags will hang in a public space.
Racquel will create and host several community events, each focused on a different theme connected to land use, the environment, or indigenous education. The engagement will culminate in a visual translation of feedback from the events that will be shared with the Met Council.
Witt will host a series of community conversations and individual interviews focused on people not traditionally engaged in future housing policy. Witt will create up to 10 portraits of the participants, turning the portraits and quotes into art that can be used as public policy displays.
Con's focus is on hidden water systems and environmental justice by highlighting water infrastructure. Con will create and present artistic projection events across multiple sites to celebrate the future of water.
Luis designed a poster series featuring the goals or policy areas of Imagine 2050. Luis collaborated with the Art + Policy team to display the poster series at bus stops across the region, in addition to public infrastructure and buildings.
Corrin will host a series of seven hands-on workshops with youth from each of the seven counties, exploring housing, land use, and transit themes. Corrin will capture participant feedback and share it with the Met Council for public comment.
Melodee will help students in North Minneapolis learn more about policy through youth-focused, art-based engagement pop-ups featuring sidewalk stamps, murals, and more.