HISTORY

The City of Fridley’s journey into public art began with community input gathered during public engagement meetings in the fall of 2023, which were led by LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation). These discussions sparked renewed enthusiasm for an initiative originally conceived during the development of the Fridley Civic Campus, which opened in 2018. At that time, the vision was to integrate public art into the Civic Campus and eventually expand it to other areas of the City.

This vision took a major step forward thanks to an anonymous donor who generously contributed $100,000. This unexpected gift provided not only the resources to kickstart the Public Art Initiative but also ensured the initiative would have the financial support to move beyond mere discussion and into action.

The community played a vital role in shaping the initiative. Through a series of discussions in late 2023, citizens offered valuable recommendations, culminating in a final report (PDF) presented to the City. This report proposed the formation of a task force or commission to advise the City Council on public art matters. Key responsibilities included vetting artists, selecting artwork, recommending priority locations for art, and partnering with a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This is how the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation (FCAF) began. FCAF was created to serve as the fundraising arm to support public art projects.

Impressed with the task force’s early achievements, the City Council formalized its status as the Public Arts Commission in May 2024. One of the commission’s first successes was collaborating with artist Jessica Turtle to select a feature piece for the revitalized Moore Lake Park: a 6-foot-tall Northern Leopard Frog sculpture perched on a lily pad.

Led by the Chair of FCAF, the Foundation quickly gained momentum as well. Its first fundraising milestone was a $10,000 contribution from Mary T., owner of Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley, and a $6,000 donation from the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). These generous donations are designated for the Northern Leopard Frog sculpture at Moore Lake Park coming in early 2025.

The City and FCAF deeply value the dedication of Fridley’s residents and the hard work that has brought the Public Arts Initiative to life. With growing community support and an exciting vision for the future, Fridley’s public art program promises to be both an economic draw for visitors and a source of pride for residents.

FRIDLEY PUBLIC ART MODEL

The Fridley public art model is a collaborative framework that brings together the City Council, Public Arts Commission, and Fridley Creative Arts Foundation. These three groups work collectively and, at times, independently to achieve the shared vision of enriching Fridley, Minnesota, with dynamic public art.

City Council

  • Establishes Public Art Committee for purposes of advising the City Council on public art.

  • Adopts a Public Art Guide plan upon the recommendation of the Public Art Commission.

  • Final approval of Public Art installations or programs recommended by the Commission.

  • Takes ownership of Public Art gifted to the City.

Public Art Commission

  • Advises City Council on matters pertaining to visual public art within the City.

  • Develops a Public Art Guide plan for inclusion and approval of public art in public places.

  • Educates the public about the importance and need for visual arts integration within public spaces, including parks, green space, City facilities, and other buildings freely accessible to the public.

  • Promotes the acquisition, maintenance, and upkeep of works of art on sites throughout the City.

  • Collaborates with other community groups and agencies who are initiating a public art project concerning the proposed site, selection of a professional artist, and commissioning of a public artwork.

  • Cooperates with foundations in general and specifically the Fridley Art Foundation, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, other governmental agencies, and various civic groups to foster a broad public arts program for the community.

  • Staffed by the Community Development Director.

Creative Arts Foundation

  • An independent nonprofit organization established as a 501(c)(3) charity under IRS rules.

  • Raises and collects funds for public art programs and installations consistent with the Fridley Public Art Guide Plan.

  • Participates on the Public Art Selection Task Force if requested.

  • Use of foundation funds is limited to the acquisition of public art.