Art for All
Art for All: The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion at the University of Minnesota Institute for Community Integration connects artists with disabilities with organizations throughout the Twin Cities area. In the exhibition, 16 artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin will showcase their work in various media, including 3D installations, fiber, watercolor and photographs. The exhibit is Feb. 2 to March 30. at the Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis. It is the largest art complex in Minnesota. Gallery hours: Thu 3–7 p.m. and Sat 12–4 p.m.
Art for All features three events. At 6 p.m. Thu, Feb. 16, Alison Bergblom Johnson will speak on the topic of Disability Justice Through the Lens of Art and Supporting Non-disability-focused Galleries Curating Art by Artists with Disabilities. At 7-9 p.m. Sat, March 2, Cow Tipping Press will host a neurodiverse book release and author reading. At 4-7 p.m. Sat, March 30, there will be a closing reception and art market. Through exhibits and events, ICI’s Art for All creates inclusive spaces for discussing, promoting, and selling the artists’ work. FFI: https://art.ici.umn.edu/
Gala is Feb. 25
Can Do Canines hosts its annual Fetching Ball Gala on Sat, Feb. 25. This year’s event will be held at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, with KARE 11 Reporter/Anchor Rena Sarigianopoulos serving as emcee. Enjoy an evening that celebrates the amazing human-assistance dog teams of Can Do Canines. Enjoy dinner, inspiring stories, games, and silent and live auctions–all benefitting the organization. Tickets now available. FFI: candocanines.org/fetchingball
Open Flow Forum
The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates are Feb. 2 and March 7. Virtually join artists with disabilities and supporters to share visual art, writing, music, theater and artistic efforts or disability concerns. Facilitators are Tara Innmon, Kip Shane and Springboard for the Arts. The gatherings are fully accessible. Anyone needing special accommodations should contact Andy Sturdevant at host organization Springboard for the Arts. Funding is available for access needs. FFI: 651-294-0907, resources@springboardforthearts.org
Resources to Enjoy!
The Enjoy listings are for arts events as well as banquets, fundraisers and fun events by and for disability services organizations. Schedules may be subject to change. Some venues still may have mask and vaccine requirements. Please check with a venue or organization before making plans.
The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides an Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for arts patrons who use accessibility accommodations such as audio description, captioning, ASL interpreting and sensory-friendly accommodations. Link to more details at https://calendar.mnaccess.org. Be sure to check the listing or venue to find out its COVID-19 protocol and if an advance reservation is needed for the accessibility service.
Accessible events can be submitted to the MNAA Calendar (and MinnesotaPlaylist.com). A list of other venues follows the event listings.
To receive a free monthly events calendar: email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org. Ask for the entire events list or specific lists for ASL interpreting, captioning, audio description, sensory-friendly accommodations or disability-related topics.
For other accessibility resources or upcoming webinars presented by MNAA, sign up for emails at https://mnaccess.org
