Supporting the Scene and Unseen

Arts funding boosts economy, mental health and social connections

 
It doesn’t take much effort to feel the expansive presence of the arts in Mankato.

Look up near the river, and you’ll see a 135-foot tall mural of children painted on silos by internationally-renowned artist Guido van Helten.

Walk along the streets downtown, and you’ll see awe-inspiring sculptures on every corner, teasing your senses and admittedly leaving you feeling a bit unsatisfied until you complete the entire CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour every year.

Open the doors of Centenary United Methodist Church, and you’ll hear the voices of actors with disabilities sharing their stories on stage through Aktion Club Theatre, a disability justice group dedicated to providing theatrical experiences to those who have never had the opportunity to perform.

“The arts are a powerful way to tell stories,” said Wilbur Neushwander-Frink, founder of Aktion Club Theatre and its umbrella nonprofit Open Arts Minnesota. “It brings us into relationship with one another through the shared experience of the soul. It taps into something deeper than the intellectual. And that’s why the arts are not just a nice thing for a community to have; they are essential.”

The initial funding for Aktion Club Theatre came from the Kristine Lindvahl Donor Advised Fund of Mankato Area Foundation (MAF), and Neushwander-Frink will be the first to share how critical such funding was to getting their organization off the ground.

“There is so much that goes on behind-the-scenes, quite literally, when it comes to running a nonprofit arts organization,” Neushwander-Frink said. “When you have appropriate funding and foundational support, it makes all the difference in the world.”

And when it comes to investing in local arts, Nancy Zallek, President and CEO of MAF, said the Foundation plans to continue their long history of support.

“Music, theatre, dance, literature and visual arts enhance our community, increase social connections and boost mental health and well-being,” Zallek said. “I know the impact the arts have, and we are incredibly fortunate to have donors who prioritize giving in this area.”

Brighter together:
Shining a light on the power of partnerships

When the Twin Rivers Council for the Arts and CityArt hoped to have Guido van Helten realize their dream of turning the Ardent Mills grain silos into a work of art in 2018, they knew early on to involve the Mankato Area Foundation (MAF).

“This was the biggest project we had ever taken on, and we knew partnering with MAF would be crucial to making it a success,” said Antje Meisner, former board member at Twin Rivers. “And look at what came of it. I don’t think anything else could ever capture the heart and soul of this community so well.”

Shannon Sinning, a former board chair of Twin Rivers, said the silo mural is now synonymous with Mankato, and vice versa.

“People now come here just to see the silos, and they learn about the meaning of it and the culture of our community in the process,” Sinning said. “It’s incredible.”

Ashley Eimer, Vice President of Philanthropy at MAF, said artistic initiatives like the silos not only draw attention and add to the vibrancy of the region, but bring economic impact.

“An abundance of arts opportunities not only brings people to our area, but it makes them want to stay—to plant roots, to raise a family, and to continue to live and thrive in such a dynamic environment,” Eimer said. “When we invest in the arts, we are investing in the future of our community.”