This is an exciting moment of change for Minneapolis, with years of uncertainty giving way to opportunities for reinvention. The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Foundation are joining forces to elevate the ongoing community dialogue about what’s next, and to ensure new and inspired voices have a stake in the revitalization of downtown and our city as a whole.
Starting March 15, Abundant Cities will be a three-part monthly series that brings together innovators working in Minneapolis and around the country to define new visions for urban areas. The goal is to inspire and mobilize a cohort of changemakers who will help the best new ideas become reality in Minneapolis.
“Our goal is for this series to spark community discussion and action, building a cohort of change-minded residents who care about the future of Minneapolis,” said R.T. Rybak, President and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation.
“This series invites and challenges our community to redefine what makes cities work,” comments Mary Ceruti, Executive Director of the Walker Art Center. “How can we elevate our thinking to push beyond traditional definitions and reimagine Minneapolis as a place that works for everyone?”
Moderated by Adair Mosley, CEO of the African American Leadership Forum, each talk will feature a panel of community leaders and changemakers with diverse perspectives and expertise in urban planning, economic development, creative placemaking, and more. Immediately following each panel discussion, guests will be invited to stay and continue the conversation informally; a cash bar will be available.
All events will be held at the Walker Art Center Cinema, and are free and open to the public.
Additional panelists will be announced in the coming weeks. Learn more and watch for event updates.
The series includes three events:
Evolving Downtowns
March 15, 6–7 pm
What will it take to reinvigorate downtown Minneapolis as a thriving, forward-leaning civic center? What role should downtown play in relation to our citywide and regional economy? This talk will bring together local leaders with deep knowledge of our community’s history, diverse perspectives on the importance of economic equity as a driver of regional prosperity, and visionary ideas about what downtown could look like in the future.
Panelists:
Tom Fisher, Professor and Director of the Minnesota Design Center, and Dayton Hudson Chair in Urban Design at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design
Gabrielle Grier, Artist and Executive Leader
Oscar Perry Abello, Senior Economic Justice Correspondent at Next City
Inclusive Cities
April 12, 6–7 pm
Many residents agree that Minneapolis should be a place where everyone is valued and seen as essential to our city’s economy and culture. How can our city become a place that fully embodies that spirit of inclusion? In this talk, a panel of community leaders will share their ambitious visions for creative placemaking, plaza design, and other innovative approaches to building urban realms that are accessible and welcoming to everyone.
Building Common Ground
May 17, 6–7 pm
As Minneapolis seeks to write its next chapter after three challenging years, we are not alone. Cities across the country face many of the same obstacles and opportunities—and those communities, like ours, benefit from a variety of changemakers who are stepping forward to meet the moment. This panel discussion will dig into several examples of successful efforts here and in other cities to plan and build towards a stronger future.
ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION
The Minneapolis Foundation drives collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities. The Foundation cultivates generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs—partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and providing services to donors seeking to make a difference in their communities. www.minneapolisfoundation.org
ABOUT THE WALKER ART CENTER
Known for presenting today’s most compelling artists from close to home and around the world, the Walker Art Center features a broad array of contemporary visual arts, music, dance, theater, and moving image works. Ranging from concerts and films to exhibitions and workshops, Walker programs bring us together to examine the questions that shape and inspire us as individuals, cultures, and communities. The adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, one of the first urban sculpture parks of its kind in the United States, holds at its center the beloved Twin Cities landmark Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen as well as some 60 sculptures on the 19-acre Walker campus. Visit walkerart.org for more information on upcoming events and programs