ST. PAUL, Minn., April 12, 2011 – The land of 10,000 lakes is also home to more than 10,000 people and organizations engaging in creative expression, according to interim results in MN Arts Count, a statewide census for individuals and businesses/venues/groups engaging in creative expression. As of April 11, 652 organizations/venues/groups and 8,135 individuals had been counted in MN Arts Count being conducted by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the state’s 11 regional arts councils. An additional 1,687 individuals responded to both the personal and organizational surveys.
“The word is getting out about MN Arts Count census,” said Sue Gens, executive director of the Minnesota State Arts Board. “With our broad definition of ‘art,’ there are certainly many, many more people and businesses, venues, bands and the like yet to be counted. It’s important that as many people and groups engaging in creative expression and the organizations that support creative endeavors be counted because the outcome of MN Arts Count could influence future arts grants.”
MN Arts Count will run through April 30, 2011, and can be accessed at www.mnartscount.com. In addition to an online survey, a paper survey is available for those without Internet access or who would prefer to complete the survey offline. It is open to:
– individuals: anyone who, professionally or personally, sings, acts, dances, writes, draws, paints, sculpts, illustrates, photographs, films, knits, weaves, directs, plays an instrument, composes, shares stories, designs or engages in any other form of creative expression.
– Businesses/organizations that support, host, produce or perform creatively: venues, restaurants, coffee houses, taverns, galleries, theaters, groups, troupes, bands, ensembles, companies, local governments, schools, community education departments, churches, arenas, festivals, fairs, programs, businesses, social service agencies, or any other type of organization which displays, hosts, or otherwise supports creative expression in the state of Minnesota.
Be proud. Be counted. Go to www.MNartsCount.com TODAY!
r2arts.org 