Like many people in Minnesota and around the country, we’re still coming to terms with the events of the past few months, but if we’ve learned anything, it’s that artists are at the epicenter of societal change and community-building movements. Going forward, we will continue inspiring Minnesotans to heal and connect with one another through the power of creativity. Here’s our update on what we’ve been up to and what you can expect in the near future.

A portrait of George Floyd by Minnesota artist Andres Guzman

Our Commitment to Equity and Justice

We believe any discussion of the past few months should begin with an acknowledgement of the murder of George Floyd and the resulting demonstrations in Minnesota and around the globe. At COMPAS, we are committed to participating in solutions to systemic racism and using creativity as a catalyst to build a more just future for everyone. You can read our full statement here or brush up on the equity framework that drives our work.

Virtual Residencies and Programs

Educators across the state reimagined their classrooms this spring, and we were excited to pilot a number of virtual residencies to bring creativity to students in their own homes. Over the past few months, COMPAS Teaching Artists led remote residencies in Peace Poetry, Personal Narrative Through Visual Art, Spoken Word, and more! Read through our Virtual Classroom page for more information on the programs we’ll be offering in the future.

Home Studio Continues

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Travelers Insurance, we have been able to continue producing regular COMPAS Home Studio programming to bring free, fun arts activities to our community in short videos from COMPAS Teaching Artists. Check out this new round of Home Studio videos to learn how to make your own Camera Obscurae, Salerno Plates, Puppet Characters, and more! Plus, our Virtual Community page has even more resources for engaging with COMPAS remotely.

Welcoming Our New Teaching Artists

Every two years, COMPAS has the honor of bringing a group of new Teaching Artists onto our roster, and this summer, we’re welcoming 12 new artists and ensembles from around Minnesota into the COMPAS community. This new cohort is full of amazing educators including muralists, puppetry artists, choral singers, and more. We’ll be introducing our 2020 Teaching Artists to the world in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for some new faces!

COMPAS brings creativity to every corner of Minnesota in order to unleash the potential within all of us. Our work is made possible by the ongoing support from our generous donors, including individuals like you. You can help us continue reaching thousands of Minnesotans every year by donating today or by reaching out to learn about other ways you can support us.