THE GARAGE

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THE GARAGE is a non-profit youth center and all-ages music venue[1] in Burnsville, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis.[2] It receives a portion of its funding and operating budget from the City of Burnsville.

It is a launching point for local musicians and artists due to its high youth attendance[1] and music industry collaboration.[3] Bands such as Down and Above, Dropping Daylight, Escape From Earth, Four-Letter Lie and Quietdrive built followings there. In 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, THE GARAGE was declared "Best All Ages Venue" by local magazine City Pages.[4]


Contents

[edit] History

In 1995, the Burnsville Youth Center Project began with the Youth for Tomorrow Council to analyze and evaluate the direction of Burnsville's youth. In 1996, recommendations for a central youth gathering facility established the Burnsville Youth Center Foundation, an on-going non-profit separate of THE GARAGE[5], to identify and establish a teen center in the city. City Hall offered the Municipal Garage, maintenance garages built in a semi-circle, to become the future home.[6] Grant funding was acquired and at that time, the city decided to lend the facility on a handshake that the debt for renovation would be forgiven. THE GARAGE opened on July 17, 1999. It has recently been approved to implement Phase 2, a large project that involves using the 3 adjoining garages for several new areas, including a recording studio and a gym.[6]

In 2000, THE GARAGE's sustained operation went into question. Factors suggested though not documented included a year of low attendance and high expenses.[7] Area students gathered in December of 2000 and responded by launching the Minnesota Teen Music Association (MTMA). They put teenage musicians at the forefront of organizing and implementing THE GARAGE as a night club venue. Since then THE GARAGE has been attended by hundreds of thousands of youth in the midwest. It has since attracted national and international acts.[8][4] On January 12, 2002, a story closely followed by local newspapers, THE GARAGE won a reprieve and funding was restored for the facility.[9]

It was honored with Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Award of Excellence 2000 and Burnsville Community Builder 2001.[10][11]

The Minnesota Music Academy hosted it's 2001 Icebreaker show at THE GARAGE after announcing it was adding a teen-band category to the ballot. The Minnesota Music Awards maintains a teen-band category to this day due to THE GARAGE's influence. [12]

In April of 2003 potential funding cuts came during Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty's budget balancing which drew political support for THE GARAGE.[13] A documentary of the center was also produced to raise attention to addressing teenage needs.[14]

From 2002-2003, programming consisted of music production/booking, a female empowerment group, volunteer training, street team, diversity (metro-area cultural opportunities), teen GLBT support, and an elementary-aged games group[15].

[edit] THE GARAGE Advisory Board (GAB)

THE GARAGE Advisory Board was created at the inception of the Burnsville Youth Center Project with nearly all youth serving. It represents and makes decisions on behalf of THE GARAGE.

[edit] Links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Peter S. Scholtes (Nov 24, 2004). "Sonic Youth.". City Pages.
  2. ^ City of Burnsville. http://www.thegarage.net/
  3. ^ Chuck Terhark. ""Kid Rock."", City Pages, Oct 22, 2003. 
  4. ^ a b "Best of the Twin Cities 2006.". City Pages (May 2006).
  5. ^ City of Burnsville. "Burnsville Youth Center Foundation." 2007. [1]
  6. ^ a b John Gessner (Nov 27, 2006). "Maintenance center addition to free up space for youth.".
  7. ^ Hannah Allam. "Teen bands' hangout faces crisis." Pioneer Press, December 9, 2000.
  8. ^ Andrea. "The Garage." MinneapolitanMusic, Jan 4, 2006. [2]
  9. ^ Mark Brunswick. "Burnsville youth music center wins reprieve." Star Tribune, Jan 12, 2002.
  10. ^ "The Garage wins state award." Burnsville.org, Jul 31, 2000.
  11. ^ "Teens named as community builders." Sun Current, Nov 14, 2001.
  12. ^ John Gessner. ""Kid rockers take ownership of teen music scene through MTMA."", This Week, Apr 27, 2001. 
  13. ^ Doug Grow. "Minnesota today still cold, especially in the shoulders." Star Tribune, Apr 27, 2003.
  14. ^ "BURNSVILLE: Keeping The Garage open on weekdays is a top teen priority." Pioneer Press, Apr 28, 2003.
  15. ^ McKnight Foundation. [3]