St. Paul, Minn. – State Representative Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) announced a bipartisan proposal to support the creation of the Minnesota Art Map. Co-authored by Legacy Funding Finance Chair Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont), House File 1808 would provide new funds for a mobile application highlighting the work of artists across the state of Minnesota.
“A new mobile app is one small way we can contribute to economic development and place-making across Minnesota. Good ideas bring Democrats, Republicans, and Minnesotans together, and I am glad to have Rep. Gunther’s support of this good idea.” said Murphy. “Cities and towns, rural and urban, use art to enhance the place they call home. This is the perfect example of a public-private partnership that can empower working families and highlight Minnesota’s great assets.”
The Minnesota Art Map is the brainchild of Amy Demmer, currently the Executive Director of the Grand Marais Art Colony in Cook County.
“We know that Minnesotans in every corner of our state are already enriching their communities with new works of art on a regular basis,” said Demmer. “This app is an innovative way of bringing a market to creative makers in rural areas by allowing more consumers to go directly to artists themselves.”
HF 1808 would appropriate $30,000 in FY 2018 and $20,000 in FY 2019 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota State Arts Board for the design, consultation, creation, and administration of a statewide arts software application. This public-private partnership will allow Minnesotans to locate and access artists, arts organizations, and art education programs throughout the state.
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