Grow the Vine!

The Vine Arts Center is an art-inspired space. Artist members work cooperatively to unite diverse artists, patrons, and the broader community through our creative presence and events.

In the days and nights after May 25th, 2020 , following the tragic and unjust death of George Floyd at the hands of 4 Minneapolis police officers, civil unrest erupted along the Lake Street corridor. Over 1,000 businesses and buildings were affected by vandalism and fires, causing an upwards of $500-million in damages. Floyd's death and unrest in Minneapolis inspired a global protest movement about racism and police brutality. 

On May 29th, embers from the fire of the Hexagon Bar sparked a fire on the roof of the Ivy Arts Building where the Vine Arts Center is housed.  The building's sprinkler system caused extensive damage to the wood floors, necessitating total replacement of two layers of flooring, as well as replacement of many of the walls in the gallery. Estimates are still pending on other repairs/replacements needed.

While the Center has some insurance and will be applying for grant funding through the Lake Street Council's fund which is set up for victims of the civil unrest, the Center is going to be strapped with the burden of additional expenses needed in order to get the gallery in shape for reopening (for example, items such as lighting equipment, display products, computer systems for our administrative needs).  It is currently unknown when the necessary work will be completed.

The Center's gallery had already been closed and impacted due to the Covid-19 shutdown. As patrons of the Center are already aware, Vine Arts Center shows are always free to the public and the Center exists to make art accessible to all. 

We plan on forging ahead into the future nonetheless; we feel positive that we'll come back better than ever and ready to carry forth our mission!

So help Grow the Vine! Support true community art! Thanks so much for your contribution - every little bit helps. As a member-artist and board member of the Vine Arts Center, I sincerely hope that you will be a part of our rebirth. I will keep you posted frequently on this GoFundMe page with updates. Please share this campaign with your network! ON BEHALF OF THE VAC - THANK YOU! -Patti Walsh