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With the help of “Legacy” funding through the Minnesota Historical Society, Prairie Skyline Foundation (PSF) was able to work with “Artspace” to create a plan for the reuse of the former Cathedral. The project, called “the Young at Hart Center” combines the benefits of a youth center with a hands-on children’s arts center. The Plan addresses many challenges faced by the Crookston community: A lack of arts opportunities especially on the elementary level, lack of a center for area youth, a dwindling downtown and economic base, and divisions between cultures, incomes, and teenagers.
The purpose of PSF’s proposed “Young at Hart Center” plan is to help our teens express concepts that they may not be able to talk about. The drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and music can help bridge artistic expression into verbal expression. Creating art allows our teens express what is uppermost in their minds. Creating art helps us understand teen’s perceptions and feelings about what has happened in the past - or what is happening in the present. Looking at the artwork and talking about what was created also helps our teens find a way to communicate what may be hard to say in words.
The Center will include “art stations” similar to children’s museums. The stations will be around the perimeter of the interior of the church, and a stage for performances and practices will be available as well. A central commons and display area will be available for all to enjoy. During the day, busloads of kids and parents from various school districts will provide an income stream. The Center will create jobs, and provide a landing point for our kids after school, evenings, and all through the summer. Those are just a few of the benefits. A complete 12 page case statement and vision for future growth starts with the “Young at HArt Center,” and can be found at www.prairieskyline.blogspot.com, and at the Library.
“It is chance for Crookston to maximize the 3-steeple symbol of Crookston and to grow the idea of a 'youth arts district' that can include the downtown, former Methodist church, former Carnegie library and Central Park. Legacy and Brownfields funding are available to rehabilitate the cathedral at an estimated basic cost of 1.1 million. Setting up a “youth arts district” as a special taxing district allows for permanent ongoing source of funding for improvements, programming, and growth,” said Kay Hegge, a local freelance economic developer. Hegge is also Chair of Prairie Skyline Foundation.
With the help of “Legacy” funding through the Minnesota Historical Society, Prairie Skyline Foundation (PSF) was able to work with “Artspace” to create a plan for the reuse of the former Cathedral. The project, called “the Young at Hart Center” combines the benefits of a youth center with a hands-on children’s arts center. The Plan addresses many challenges faced by the Crookston community: A lack of arts opportunities especially on the elementary level, lack of a center for area youth, a dwindling downtown and economic base, and divisions between cultures, incomes, and teenagers.
The purpose of PSF’s proposed “Young at Hart Center” plan is to help our teens express concepts that they may not be able to talk about. The drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and music can help bridge artistic expression into verbal expression. Creating art allows our teens express what is uppermost in their minds. Creating art helps us understand teen’s perceptions and feelings about what has happened in the past - or what is happening in the present. Looking at the artwork and talking about what was created also helps our teens find a way to communicate what may be hard to say in words.
The Center will include “art stations” similar to children’s museums. The stations will be around the perimeter of the interior of the church, and a stage for performances and practices will be available as well. A central commons and display area will be available for all to enjoy. During the day, busloads of kids and parents from various school districts will provide an income stream. The Center will create jobs, and provide a landing point for our kids after school, evenings, and all through the summer. Those are just a few of the benefits. A complete 12 page case statement and vision for future growth starts with the “Young at HArt Center,” and can be found at www.prairieskyline.blogspot.com, and at the Library.
“It is chance for Crookston to maximize the 3-steeple symbol of Crookston and to grow the idea of a 'youth arts district' that can include the downtown, former Methodist church, former Carnegie library and Central Park. Legacy and Brownfields funding are available to rehabilitate the cathedral at an estimated basic cost of 1.1 million. Setting up a “youth arts district” as a special taxing district allows for permanent ongoing source of funding for improvements, programming, and growth,” said Kay Hegge, a local freelance economic developer. Hegge is also Chair of Prairie Skyline Foundation.
“Imagine the spin-off businesses and services that can happen, some we have had before and some will be completely new. For example, an arts supply store, a music store, hobby shop, a camera shop, and what more? We can entice more dance teachers. Imagine Art Therapy and Music Therapy, and maybe Artspace could help develop housing in one of our historic buildings,” Hegge continued.
But the above mentioned ideas are in the future; the problem is right now. Children’s museums and art centers are opening up all around us. We need to be next and we need to be different. The timing also fits with what the Crookston Stewardship Committee is doing: establishing “Destiny Drivers” for Crookston.
Prairie Skyline Foundation seeks to “Make Crookston a Better Place” by finding reuses for historic buildings. “We don’t want to own and operate the Center, just help move the idea forward while preserving the “Jewel on the Prairie” space,” said Ms. Hegge. We feel this project can make Crookston the best place to raise a family, attract professionals, and really put us on the map. Help us transform a historic building into a beacon for youth, the arts, and Crookston. Prairie Skyline Foundation is looking for fresh new board members to help with this project and the thrift shop as well. Call Kay Hegge at 218.289.1246 or email khegge@gmail.com and ask how you can help.
