Panel sets a vision for Minnesota's arts and culture

An advisory panel appointed by the Legislature has outlined a 25-year vision for using Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The report stresses making arts and culture and history available to all Minnesotans.

Panel member Andrea Kajer of the Minnesota Historical Society says creating a plan to cover a quarter century wasn't easy, and the recommendations are quite broad.

"Across the United States, people will be watching how this unique opportunity that we have in order to shape all the funds -- how it will all play out," said Kajer. "We are very conscious of being transparent and accountable, and fulfilling our obligation that the voters really intended when they voted for this in November."

Voters approved a sales tax increase in 2008 which is expected to generate $1.2 billion for the arts over the next 25 years.

Panel members who worked on the arts vision were drawn from non-profit organizations, including Minnesota Public Radio, which have already received money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The planning committee has no authority for distributing money or identifying specific recipients for funding.

The report was developed with input gathered from citizens statewide at six public meetings and through more than 3,000 comments collected online.

Its vision is rooted in the principle that programs developed with the funding guarantee the greatest positive benefit to all Minnesotans.