People of WeDo

“I'm thrilled about the fact that we host so many vibrant local and national productions in WeDo. There are a lot of places to eat, there are plenty of interesting things to see and do in just a few blocks, and it's easy to get here, park, and experience the area. I don't think people always appreciate that convenience until they go to a different city and find out how rare it can be to experience a home like ours."

“Everybody used to flee the city to go to the Mall of America, but now there’s so much going on in downtown that the number and diversity of visitors to WeDo has certainly grown."

—Caleb McEwen
Artistic Director at Brave New Workshop

“The arts are an important mirror to society — so often it's a reaction or commentary about what's going on today. Right now, I'm really interested in the intersection between arts and social justice, how we perceive and define community, the future of creative placemaking and issues of equity, inclusion and diversity in the arts."

“We have a great arts ecosystem in Minneapolis — everything from individual artists and informal, up-and-coming groups to globally recognized institutions like the Walker Art Center. And there's support for the creative sector from local and state government, individuals and the corporations. "

“As a Made Here panelist, it's really fun to wander WeDo and see all the art projects in storefront windows. I love that they're accessible 24/7. If I'm downtown in the morning or early afternoon, I make a stop at the Bogart's Doughnut Company kiosk in IDS center. My favorite is the lavender cake doughnut … and their coffee is a proprietary blend from Five Watt Coffee — so good. (Full disclosure: I'm their catering and events coordinator.)”

—Masami Kawazato
MRAC Program Director
Made Here Advisory panel member

“Minneapolis is a hidden gem when it comes to the arts scene. A person could explore music, classical ballet, modern sculpture, live-action painting, avant-garde puppetry and contemporary circus arts all in one week. We are truly lucky to have access to all of this. "

“As a community-oriented circus-arts performer, I love all the access to nature within the city. Being able to use nature as a backdrop for stilting helps people to see and engage these spaces differently."

“Zenon Dance Company and School in downtown Minneapolis has been a favorite of mine for years. I love the variety of classes they offer and their welcoming attitude toward the general public. They create a safe learning environment for anyone interested in dance."

“I'm excited to see the arts and culture scene continue to grow and weave together new creations. When art is readily accessible, it encourages people to engage with new people in new ways. It also brings people out of their mundane routine and into the present."

—Star Walker
Aerobatic Stilt Dancer

“People can move to Minneapolis, and they can participate in great sports … they can participate in great theatre … they can have a great fine arts experience at any number of museums. We offer everything you could ever want – that’s why Minneapolis is on the top of every list.”

“I grew up going to City Center every single Sunday. My family would window shop, have lunch and just enjoy downtown. So WeDo has always been a part of me.”

“As a mom with two little kids, finding free and fun things to do with them in the Cultural District is very important. As a family, we love the sculpture garden, the family day at the Walker, seeing shows, going to the river, cheering at a Twins game and eating on the rooftops of downtown restaurants.”

“I’m excited to think about the time when we get to be a part of creating the 'can’t miss' thing. We want to create something you have to see in WeDo or you haven’t truly experienced Minnesota.”

—Kelli Foster Warder
Education Director at Hennepin Theatre Trust

“In general, I think art is a good way to reflect on social issues and to expand your thinking. You can change people’s views without standing on a soapbox — it [art] brings people together, too."

“People have this stigma that art is something that’s not for them, but it’s for everybody. Whether you’re a beginner artist or seasoned artist … there’s something for everyone. I think Minneapolis is very unique in that way. It’s not too big of a city where you’re competing for space — there’s definitely enough here."

“I like the Walker. I like taking walks and biking around — Minneapolis is a very bike-friendly city. Not only that, you get to see a lot of cool things if you take the time and look, especially now that all this stuff is going on Hennepin Avenue. You get to see new things every few months … it revolves, changes, ebbs and flows.”

“Bringing different people together to have different experiences is always a good thing … that makes people really think about other people. It also opens people up to experiencing each other in their celebratory state. I’m excited for 5 to 10 on Hennepin – it’s going to bring out a lot of different people that normally wouldn’t hang out on Hennepin Avenue past a certain time. It gives them a reason to stay downtown instead of going to Uptown or leaving after work.”

—Thisaphone Sothiphakhak
DJ Teace
Made Here installer

“I want to create art that encompasses our community and cultures. I feel that is the large bulk of what art should be. As artists, we have a duty … just like superheroes have duties.”

“West Downtown Minneapolis doesn’t seem like a city that people just go to for sports or to see a Justin Bieber concert. There’s style and culture that’s all over the place — and Hennepin [Avenue] is ground zero for that.”

“[The art scene in Minneapolis] is very diverse compared to anything I’ve ever been a part of — it’s not just the artists themselves, but the different types of skillsets and different ways a lot of artists put things together.”

“This might sound a little selfish, but I’m excited to thrive as a visual artist as opposed to being in Omaha, where I've lived my entire life. Coming to the Twin Cities — Minneapolis specifically — has really helped my creative growth and it's given me a proper outsiders perspective on things. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far I can go as a visual artist in a city like this.”

—Reggie LeFlore
Aerosol Artist and Graphic Designer
Represent, Made Here

"If New York is the ‘Big Apple’ of arts and culture then Minneapolis is the 'Mini Apple.'"

"I loved growing up in a city that really values the arts. There are tons of theaters with amazing productions being created everywhere ... from high school to amateur to professional productions. There’s also great museums like the Walker. And the music scene is wonderful with the orchestra and all the local bands and so many venues for musicians to perform."

"Art and culture give back to the community in a lasting way. People leave the theater and they’re talking about the stories … or maybe it changes the way somebody thinks ... or it has an impact on society in a positive way."

"I can’t imagine a life without arts and culture. It’s truly given me life ... it’s given me the opportunity to express myself ... it’s given me so much!"

—Laura Osnes
Broadway Actress, Spotlight Education Spokesperson

“Everything I experienced [living abroad] is right here in this town. The restaurants. The music. The sports teams. The theatres. I get the same kind of rush watching a game that I get watching great theatre. It’s about getting outside yourself—outside your normal environment."

“I love musicals. Never thought I’d say that."

“The New Century Theatre has this great low-key vibe. I feel like a VIP there because it’s not on the top of everyone’s minds the way the historic theatres in town might be.”

—Stanley Jackson
Coordinator of Target Center suite sales and experiences, Volunteer @ multiple organizations; board member of the Givens Foundation

"When people come into town, I put on my tour guide hat and, within a couple miles radius, they’re able to see everything from nature to the arts to an incredibly vibrant restaurant and night-life scene … and people go, 'Wow I had no idea!'"

"Minneapolis is a city to which artists flock to develop new work because not only is the arts community supportive, the affordable cost of living makes it possible for people to create and have a good quality of life. As a performer I’ve had some exceptional opportunities here, and being able to call myself a working actor — that’s something that I owe to the Twin Cities."

"I just love being able to have a pedestrian life here. The fact that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to get to a favorite hangout, to eat or spend time with friends, is really great."

"I am glad to see the direction that Hennepin Avenue is heading — unifying all these disparate sections of the city into a place where people feel comfortable to congregate."

—Sasha Andreev
Actor

"Minneapolis is amazing. There's always something to do, and good people to do it with. It's a wonderful place to be an artist. I love supporting other dance companies in the community and collaborating with independent photographers, choreographers, dancers and musicians."

—Kelly Vittetoe
Dancer, James Sewell Ballet;
Artist, Model, Actress, Human

“It’s a great city to be in as a person my age. It has the scale of a national city, but I can ride my bike around it in a relatively short period of time. It just feels accessible. The city is deceptively beautiful, if that makes sense. This place has a lot of cool pockets.”

—Jared Hemming
Senior studying journalism and English literature @ University of Minnesota
Production director for Radio K / Communications intern for Hennepin Theatre Trust

"Arts and culture is making our community a richer more diversified place to live. It’s really about the great arts organizations in this city and the education they provide — especially for children and young adults. Without it, some of them might never be exposed to this type of experience. The consequence of seeing a play, dance or an opera … it could be life altering for them."

"An equal motivation for my husband and I [as patrons of the arts] is we love to experience the arts ourselves. We really wish we had done it earlier in life — we love the breadth and depth and exposure it has given us, the ideas that have been created and the joy it’s brought to other people."

"We’ve had such fun, unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences being a part of this city — we’ve made some absolutely wonderful memories. It’s truly broadening our world and making our lives so much richer."

—Mary Ebert, PHD
Patron of Arts and Culture

"I’m excited about how we are broadening the way we look at theater in this city. We’re respecting diversity more and more and recognizing the work of these performers … I’m deeply anticipating this progression."

“There is a lot of opportunity in this city as a performer. Per capita, we are second next to New York City for the number of theater seats. People are going to the shows downtown and really enjoying them —there is a sense of togetherness and community that it creates."

—Adan Verela
Singer and Actor
Manager and server @ Hell’s Kitchen

“I love the Barnes and Noble on Nicollet Avenue—both the Starbucks downstairs and also the couches on the second level by the window. You can observe what’s happening outside and still be completely absorbed with your own thoughts, read, do whatever you want."

“There’s this idea that ‘a city that works is a city people can love.’ Anything we can do to help make that connection, make it easier for people to relate to the city, is worth the effort. This district helps establish an identity.”

—Raya Esmaeili
Urban planner @ Metropolitan Council
in St. Paul, Volunteer at Walker Art Center, Orchestra Hall and Hennepin Theatre Trust

“You can really hear and feel the impact that arts and culture is having downtown. So many people stop and say ‘thank you,’ when I’m working on Made Here art installations. There is a growing expectation to see more of it [art]. It’s truly opening up a new, broader conversation in this city."

“I love collaborating with local artists in this city who push the limits of what they do and have big plans. Bringing an artist’s vision to fruition is my bread and butter!"

“I really enjoy being on Hennepin Avenue in downtown. It’s the busiest street in the city — I thrive off the energy and hustle and bustle. I also enjoy being surrounded by and interacting with the diversity of people.”

—Rosemary (Rosie) Kimball
Founder of Night Owl Farm
Advisory panel member and exhibition specialist for Made Here