Friends of the Arts
St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts (FotA)
Friends of the Arts is a nonprofit community organization that has been building the community through the arts since 1995, with a mission to support, promote and enhance the arts in St. Louis Park to bring people together. Friends of the Arts connects people and organizations around the arts, shares arts-related information and resources, supports local artists and coordinates community arts programs.
Local arts events
Friends of the Arts organizes, supports and promotes high-quality arts and culture events and creative activities in St. Louis Park. Events range from interactive art-making sessions, to educational artist talks, concerts and theater productions with a focus on themes and topics relevant to St. Louis Park and featuring artists connected to our community. Get involved and participate or sit back and enjoy. Find out what events are coming up and how to attend at www.slpfota.org/events.
Public art in St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park has an abundance of public artworks throughout the city that help create a unique sense of place and local identity. Recent additions to the city include a large mural that explores our past, present and future in Historic Walker Lake, multiple nature-inspired installations in the new interpretive center at Westwood Hills Nature Center and an abstract sculpture at the new Bridgewater Bank headquarters on Excelsior Boulevard. Find a St. Louis Park public art map with photos and background of the artwork at www.stlouispark.org/our-city/arts-culture/public-art and enjoy exploring the city to see every piece in person!
Artist opportunities
If you are an artist, maker or creative who lives, works or has a meaningful connection to St. Louis Park, Friends of the Arts has opportunities for you. Opportunities include public art commissions, teaching opportunities, photo contests, calls for artwork for exhibits and art fairs, and more. View a current list of St. Louis Park artist opportunities and sign up for the local artist email list at www.slpfota.org/opportunities.
Arts for Life scholarships
Funding is available to St. Louis Park residents with financial need to participate in arts and creative activities like music lessons, art class registration fees and necessary art materials. This program is rooted in the belief that creativity is inherent in all people, and that the arts should be affordable and accessible. Scholarships are awarded quarterly in March, June, September and December. Learn more and apply at www.slpfota.org/artsforlife.
Gift of Music
The Gift of Music program, in partnership with the St. Louis Park Community Band, provides musical instruments to students in St. Louis Park schools to participate in band or orchestra. We collect donated instruments, clean and repair them, and place them into the hands of students in need. To date, more than 750 students have received their very own instrument through this program. Visit www.slpfota.org/giftofmusic to learn more.
Arts & Culture Grants
Each year, grants are awarded to individuals or organizations for arts and culture projects that support community pride, connect artists and the community, and engage people in creative learning. Artists, arts organizations, students, community and neighborhood groups, and cultural and religious organizations are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is in September for projects to occur the following year. Learn more and apply at www.slpfota.org/artsandculture.
Fiscal sponsorship
Friends of the Arts provides fiscal sponsorship and support for informal and unincorporated arts groups and projects so they can receive grants and tax-deductible donations, and focus their time and energy on the art. If you have a creative idea you’d like to bring to St. Louis Park, visit www.slpfota.org/fiscalsponsorship to schedule a consultation. Friends of the Arts is currently the fiscal sponsor of the Community Band, Maggie’s Farm Theater, St. Louis Park Art Fair, Community Storytelling Forum and Historic Walker Lake Placemaking Committee.
www.slpfota.org
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www.slpfota.org • 952.928.6422
6715 Minnetonka Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55426 952.928.6422 info@slpfota.org
