Operating Support

Minnesotans believe the arts are vital to who we are. The Regional Artist and Community Engagement Initiative builds programmatic collaborations through outreach and celebrates some of our region's most talented artists. In 2012, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum is organizing a related curatorial initiative called the 2012 Minnesota Photographer Series. Both of these initiatives aim to bring Minnesota art and artists to communities in ways that are relevant and meaningful. Operating support helps ensure a high quality and ambitious exhibition program at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum by helping to pay for professional staff and exhibition related expenses. In fiscal year 2013, the Museum facilitated 12 temporary exhibitions, four of which had the work of Minnesota artists and more that had Minnesota content. Evaluating the success of temporary exhibitions is qualitative and quantitative. In fiscal year 2013, the Museum utilized its qualitative evaluation form which includes social, educational, artistic, and economic benefit categories. An example of this evaluation is that the Minnesota photography exhibition Craig Blacklock's Lake Superior had noted artistic quality, it had raised awareness of a social issue (caring for environment), and furthered artistic training through a master's workshop offered at low cost. The primary quantitative indicator is attendance. In 2012, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum reached record attendance, in large part due to the success of exhibitions during fiscal year 2013. 2: People of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities participate in the arts. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum has high accessibility standards. The facilities meet or exceed accessibility standards and the Museum operates an access program called SPARK!, which is for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The Museum resides in a college town, and, in an effort to meet the needs of area students, maintains Free Students Tuesdays. Further accessibility goals have been defined in the Museum's Strategic Plan and will continue to be sought. Museum Visitor Experience staff at the Museum regularly communicate to the Executive Director the increase in student visits, as well as the regular usage of the Museum's wheelchairs, which get utilized 4 - 5 times per week. The Museum has over 90 volunteers that gather feedback from museum visitors during all hours of operation- both good comments and criticisms - that are also communicated with the Executive Director and staff. These comments are used for decision making purposes and to ensure the continuation of meeting community needs. To evaluate the continued success of its Free Student Tuesday policy, the Museum tracks these visitors and serves over 1,000 admission free students annually.