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

6715 Minnetonka Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55426 952.928.6422 info@slpfota.org

Reach for Resources

The adaptive recreation program is a cooperative effort of Reach for Resources and the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Chanhassen, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. Reach is an agency that serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in western Hennepin County and eastern Carver County. Services include adaptive recreation, independent living support, case management and counseling.

NOTE: People not living in one of the above cities are considered “non-residents” and should add $8 to select registration fees. For more information and registration procedures, call 952.393.5880 or visit www.reachforresources.org.

Inclusion support

Reach for Resources provides inclusion support to children and adults with disabilities who would like to participate in their city park and recreation programs. Registration for these programs is done through your parks and recreation division. Inclusion support through Reach is offered in the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Chanhassen, Chaska, Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, Robbinsdale and St. Louis Park. After registering, contact Reach for Resources to discuss the needs/accommodations for yourself or your child. Allow a minimum of two weeks’ notice for a successful inclusion.

Virtual Fantasy Football Draft

AGES 18+ WebEx Fantasy Football is such a fun way to get through the colder months! Join us for this online virtual draft. You have the option of video conferencing with us as we go through the draft together, or just following the draft on your computer/tablet/phone and making choices when it’s your turn. Keep up with your team throughout the season and the top two teams will receive awesome prizes! We will be using ESPN for our draft. DAY DATE+TIME

Th Sept. 2, 5 – 8 p.m. FEE $5 per person

Non-Competitive Soccer League

AGES 14+ Park Center High School, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park Come learn some ball skills and scrimmage with friends! All abilities are welcome. DAY DATES+TIME

M Sept. 13 – Oct. 4, 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. FEE $44 per person (resident) / $52 (non-resident)

Singles Night Out: Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center

AGES 18+ 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis Looking to meet your special someone? Join the Reach group to mix and mingle with other singles. Browse works of sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings and prints. Meet at the ticketing office. DAY DATE+TIME

Th Sept. 16, 6:30 – 8 p.m. FEE $6 per person

Art Abilities

AGES 15+ Adler Graduate School, 10225 Yellow Circle Drive, Minnetonka Art Abilities is a series of workshops that offers the opportunity to explore a variety of art media. The workshops will invite the participating artists to explore their creative interests beginning with warm-up exercises at each session, painting, drawing, journaling, creating masks and other abstract creations to help participants learn a different method of communication. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. DAY DATES+TIME

Th Oct. 7 – Nov. 11, 4:30 – 6 p.m. FEE Free

Fall Formal

AGES 16+ Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC), 3700 Monterey Drive It's time to get all dressed up and dance the night away with your friends! We'll have a photo booth, delicious dessert and festive decor. DAY DATE+TIME

F Sept. 17, 6:30 – 8 p.m. FEE $10 per person

Adaptive Bowling League

AGES 5+ Park Tavern, 3401 Louisiana Ave. S., St. Louis Park Join us for fun, noncompetitive bowling. You will bowl two games each week. Bring $4.25 cash/check each week. DAY DATEs+TIME

Sa Sept. 18 – Nov. 6, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. FEE $44 per person (resident) / $52 (non-resident)