Franconia Sculpture Park
Coordinates: 45°22′57″N 92°42′20″W / 45.3825°N 92.7056°W
| Franconia Sculpture Park | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1996 |
| Location | 29836 St. Croix Trail, Franconia, Minnesota, USA 55074 |
| Type | Sculpture garden |
| Director | John Hock |
| Website | Franconia Sculpture Park |
Franconia Sculpture Park is an outdoor sculpture park in Franconia, Minnesota that offers a unique combination of work, residence, and exhibition space for emerging and established artists.[1] The 43-acre (170,000 m2) park, with a rotating collection of over 105 contemporary sculptures, reflecting the creative talents of local, national, and international artists and is free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. It draws over 60,000 visitors annually.[2]
Franconia Sculpture Park is located at the intersection of Highways 8 and 95, near Taylors Falls, in the St. Croix River Valley region of Minnesota.
Mission and Vision
To provide physically and intellectually wide-open spaces where all are inspired to participate in the creative process. A place unlike any other; where artists may get fresh perspective on their work during informal conversation; where a visitor may learn the context for an artwork directly from its creator; and where there are numerous opportunities for these kinds of spontaneous connections to happen in a welcoming and wide-open environment. The spark of these connections fosters deep engagement in our programs by artists and audiences alike - and adds to the vibrancy and quality of life of surrounding communities. Interactions among artist, artwork, and audience transform into a greater awareness of the world we live in, build an understanding for diverse perspectives, and inspire creativity.[2]
History
Franconia Sculpture Park was founded in 1996 by a small group of visionary artists led by sculptor and educator John Hock. The group shared a vision for an arts community where artists would be given the physical space, technical assistance, and funding they needed to create and exhibit new work. The original 16-acre (65,000 m2) park was two miles (3 km) east of the current location and in 2006 the park moved from its original location to the current 43-acre (170,000 m2) site. Since 1996, Franconia has established a reputation as one of the country's most innovative sculpture parks.[2] In 2011, Franconia established Franconia in the City, a 1,700 square foot gallery and education space at the Casket Arts Community Complex in Northeast, Minneapolis. The park is governed by a dynamic Board of Directors that in 2014 include: Josine Peters, Gar Hargens, Dorothy Goldie, Erik Janssen, Amy McKinney, John Joachim, Davis Klaila, Ronald Kopeska, John Kremer, Diane Mullin, Tamsie Ringler.[2]
In 2009, Franconia was the only Minnesota arts organization outside of the Twin Cities to receive National Endowment for the Arts/American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.[3] In 2010, the park was among the selected grantees to receive part of the $20 million allocation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund in the State of Minnesota.[4]
Artist Development
Franconia offers fellowship, internship and workshop programs that support visual artists at all levels of their career as they create new sculpture to be sited specifically at the park. Artists are selected to work and show at Franconia because of their determination, the way they challenge themselves, and the positive effect their new work will have on their career. Artists are encouraged to work on a physical and intellectual scale not generally available to them, enabling them to realize the potential of their individual ambition, talents and vision. Artists are creating new work at the park from April through November. In addition to development of creative skill, residencies at Franconia enable artists to acquire a network among their peers while creating a worldwide community of artists. With an emphasis on artistic excellence, ambition and diversity, the program is publicized by actively soliciting artists’ proposals locally, nationally, and internationally. Between the Park and Franconia @ Casket, each year Franconia supports up to 125 artists as they create and exhibit new work. In their first 18 years, 775 artists have received direct support from Franconia.[2]
Arts learning
Since its beginning in 1996, Franconia has maintained a commitment to arts education and providing accessibility to a broad audience supported by its partnerships with schools and at-risk youth organizations that allow students to experience contemporary sculpture in a rural setting, talk with working artists, and explore the creative process through hands-on sculpture workshops. In 2013, Franconia launched the Rural Arts Program, with support provided by a Minnesota State Arts Board Arts Access grant, which in its first year served 1,213 rural youth, encouraging deep interaction and engagement with art and artists. In addition, Franconia has a lively schedule of programs for art lovers of all ages including Kids Make Sculpture workshops, artist-led tours, twice monthly 3D Symposiums, and the Music At Franconia summer concert series. At the core of Franconia’s programming is a commitment to making visual arts accessible to both artists and audience.[2]
Arts Access
Every day, Franconia provides the community free access to a growing, expansive, and ever-changing exhibition of over 100 sculptures and the opportunity to engage directly with artists-in-residence. Franconia in the City @ Casket gallery and satellite sculpture park furthers their mission by engaging people from the Twin Cities closer to home.[2]
Special Events
Each year Franconia hosts an annual Valentine's Day Iron Pour in February, an annual Community Collaboration Hot Metal Pour in August, the Art & Artists Celebration in September, and a Pie & Wine Potluck Soiree in November.[5][6]