Friends of the Arts

St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts, established in 1997, has dedicated the last 19 years to promoting art and culture in the city, according to former board member Susan Schneck.

“I was actually one of the founding members,” Schneck said. “It was an exciting experience because the people I was working with and I were very passionate about bringing art and creativity to the community.”

Schneck said the organization helps other arts organizations and individuals in St. Louis Park by acting as a fiscal agent.

“What’s really unique about our arts organization is we have programs to serve individuals,” Schneck said. “We serve as an umbrella organization for other art groups so they don’t have to create their own non-profit, like Maggie’s Farm Theater, the SLP Community Band and others that exist under our umbrella structure.”

According to Schneck, the organization also helps to provide scholarships for people who would like to take art classes and buy instruments for Park schools.

“We have provided over $25,000 worth of scholarships over the last eight years for individuals so that they can be active in art classes or art activities,” Schneck said. “Last year we donated approximately forty instruments to Park students.”

Sophomore Tanaya Fanning said she appreciates Friends of the Arts for providing scholarships to students.

“I think it’s great that they offer scholarships in the arts,” Fanning said. “I love to write so if they had a writing class I would consider applying.”
The next Friends of the Arts meeting will take place at 7 p.m. March 23 at City Hall.