While the Land of 10,000 Lakes is rife with outdoor pursuits for active groups, the arts and cultural options throughout Minnesota give its bodies of water a run for their money.
Ranging from art centers showcasing inspirational works to unique venues that capture Broadway and other magical performances, the state’s meetings-friendly destinations provide a variety of ways for planners to incorporate artsy offerings into the itinerary.
Following are five great ways for groups to get creative in Minnesota.
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
The Walker Art Center is a multidisciplinary institution focusing on current-day visual, performing and media arts with a global perspective, according to Meredith Kessler, the center’s spokeswoman.
“Formally established back in 1927, today the Walker ranks among the five most-visited modern/contemporary art museums in the U.S., and together with the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden attracts more than 600,000 visitors per year,” she says.
A fine example of what groups will see at the Walker is one of its current shows, running through Sept. 22, called Abraham Cruzvillegas: The Autoconstruccion Suites, which showcases the conceptual works of the Mexico City native.
The Walker also hosts concerts, dance and theater performances, film screenings, readings, lectures and interactive educational events.
“In addition to a robust offering of facility rentals and D’Amico catering, the Walker houses two D’Amico dining experiences,” Kessler adds, citing the Walker Cafe, which is available for casual get-togethers, and Gather by D’Amico, a restaurant with a full bar.
On-site facilities for group events include the Skyline Room, with views of downtown Minneapolis; the Garden Terrace Room, with views of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden; and the main floor, well-suited for intimate or midsize events.PageBreak
Minnesota Centennial Showboat, St. Paul
This summer the Minnesota Centennial Showboat, docked on Harriet Island in St. Paul, celebrates its 55th season and is available to entertain groups with the action- packed tale, Sweet Revenge, a New York City-based story The New York Times called a “brave tale of death, seduction, deceit, betrayal and poetic justice.”
Carrie Van Hallgren, producing director, says the production elicits emotion from the audience, including booing and hissing at its villains and cheering for its heroes.
Docked on the Mississippi River, the showboat’s decks offer picturesque views of the city skyline and sunsets. Every year it hosts corporate and other groups, and last year, Van Hallgren says, nearly 11,000 visitors enjoyed a lively summer evening aboard showboat.
Special rates for groups of 15 people or more are available, and for groups of 25 people or more, dinner on the boat may be arranged in advance. A full-service bar is available, and beverages may be brought into the fully air-conditioned theater.
Aside from its success as a venue for live theater with seating for up to 225 people, the showboat is also available for corporate outings and other special events.
Brush Studio, St. Louis Park
Brush Studio is an instructional art studio with a focus on fun and entertainment. According to Jean Forbes, owner of the studio, team-building and corporate events are held either at Brush Studio at the Shops at West End in St. Louis Park, or off-site at the customer’s host hotel around Greater Minneapolis.
“Our local artists provide an exciting way to bring out the inner artist in everyone,” she says, explaining that the featured paintings participants work on range from well-known classics to original local creations. “No experience is necessary. The atmosphere in the studio is upbeat, with great music and an excellent choice of wines, local beers and savory appetizers and desserts.”
Classes are held weekday and weekend evenings, as well as during the day on weekends. Large groups can be seated together during public classes, and private parties can also be booked.
“Brush Studio excels at team-building events,” Forbes says. “Events can include custom artwork created by our local artists to complement the event or highlight the company.”
Brush Studio offers a large wine and beer selection as well as featured local brews on tap. A limited menu for smaller groups, prepared in an on-site kitchen, is available, or planners can check out partner restaurants for catering larger group events.
“Brush Studio can be a perfect complement to large group meetings and conventions,” Forbes says. “Events can be tailored for groups of any size at our West End location or the group’s meeting venue.”PageBreak
Paramount Theatre/Visual Arts Center/Gallery, St. Cloud
Paramount Theatre is a popular three-in-one arts venue.
Group ticket sales are available for shows including Les Miserables, which will run in September, and the annual performance of the Nutcracker at Christmastime.
The Visual Arts Center offers classes ranging from ceramics to jewelry design, as well as rotating exhibits. And the Gallery is a terrific place for those art lovers in the group who like to browse and shop for items created by local artists.
The facility has many venues for rent, including party rooms, studios, the theater and stage, and exhibition and gallery space. The facility accommodates events such as private parties, meetings, presentations and ceremonies.
Rochester Art Center, Rochester
“Just as Rochester is unique, we are too,” says Shannon Fitzgerald, executive director at the 66-year-old Rochester Art Center, explaining that it’s the only institution in southeastern Minnesota with the mission of presenting the highest caliber of contemporary art. “It is exciting to contribute to art history as it happens.”
Rochester Art Center’s education and curatorial staff is available to offer tours to visiting groups of all sizes, and may include a hands-on art activity if desired, Fitzgerald adds.
One upcoming exhibit, running from mid-September through mid-January, 2014, features works by Minneapolis-based artist David Rathman, who uses ink, oil paint and watercolor in pieces generally “associated with notions of masculinity—the American West, rock and roll, boxing, football and the automobile.”
The Rochester Art Center is composed of two distinct structures, one covered in copper and the other in zinc, linked by a glass atrium. The design works with nature and showcases outdoor light especially well.
The grand lobby, according to Fitzgerald, accommodates 50 to 500 people and sports great views unlike anywhere in Rochester. There is also an executive conference room, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and views of Mayo Memorial Park to the east and downtown Rochester to the west, for intimate groups of up to 16 people.
Frequent contributor Carolyn Blackburn looks forward to another stop at the Walker Art Center the next time she visits family in Minneapolis.
