Minnesota's appreciation for the arts is more than just a cultural nice-to-have, it's a thriving sector imbued with tangible benefits, and the University of Minnesota is gearing up to prove just that to its Board of Regents. Later this week, on February 13, campus leaders will present to the board a review of the arts and experiential learning programs from their various campuses, including the Tweed Museum of Art at Duluth and the Weisman Art Museum in the Twin Cities, according to a statement obtained by the University of Minnesota.
The Board of Regents is set to take a magnified look at these programs which aren't just academic decorations but core components of student life and learning, given the evidence showing how integrated they are in supporting the arts across the state with over 70% engagement by Minnesotans, Executive Vice President, and Provost Rachel Croson highlighted the multifaceted roles these programs play, from arts education and outreach to the objects and collabs that have earned them national and international street cred, they are, in her words, "immeasurable," but let's face it, they will try to measure it anyway because numbers talk, especially when it comes to institutional review.
It's not just about putting on a show, either. The University's art programs get their hands dirty in the community, empowering students like those in John O'Neill's graphic design class, who are pushing the envelope with accessible design for the visually impaired, among numerous other programs that allow for expression beyond the confines of a traditional classroom setting. The University of Minnesota reports that they also put a particular emphasis on physical, emotional, and economic well-being, with programs that even dovetail into the health sciences, hinting at an understanding that creativity might just be good for your health.
Alongside these showcases, though are more consequential topics on the board's agenda, such as a partnership proposition between the University and Essentia Health that could redefine healthcare in Minnesota, and updates on the University's goals for sophisticated agricultural research, because while the arts are on the marquee this week, let's not forget that the healthcare and ag-tech fields might not be as sexy, but they're just as critical, if not more, to the state's bottom line and well-being. And because engagement isn't just a buzzword tossed around in boardrooms, the public can chip in their two cents via the Board's Virtual Forum, a digital suggestion box for the 21st century, as the University of Minnesota demonstrates, it's all about being heard, in person, or on the screen. the University of Minnesota reports.
