Monday, April 17, 2017

9:30 – 10:30 PUBLIC POLICY

A Path to Racial Justice in Minneapolis

Speaker: Vivian Jenkins Nelson, Co-founder of INTER- RACE, a diversity think tank at Augsburg College, Diversity Trainer, Researcher

Because our speaker has lived on the north side of Minneapolis for many years, Jenkins Nelson will discuss some of the racial issues facing people living there. She will outline some of the steps she believes are necessary to bring about racial justice. She hopes to challenge us in the ways we can work to improve the racial climate in our city, state, and nation.

10:45 – 11:45 THE ARTS

Public Art:
Courting Controversy, Enhancing Cityscapes

Speaker: Lara Roy, Director, Continuing Education,
Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Public art can enhance a cityscape, revitalize an urban area, and pay tribute to important events. However, public art projects can invite controversy regarding the artist selection and commission process, the form of the project, and the funding involved. This talk will examine some of the most controversial public art projects, reasons for the controversies, stakeholder reactions, and the resulting fallout.

11:45 – Noon ANNOUNCEMENTS

12:00 – 1:15 Luncheon

1:15 – 2:15 LITERATURE

Kathleen Novak Has Her Way with Words

Speaker: Kathleen Novak, Poet and Novelist

Born and raised on the Iron Range of Minnesota, Novak is the granddaughter of Italian and Croatian immigrants. Her poems have been published in small literary magazines nationally, and she has won recognition in contests as diverse as AAUW and New York Public Radio. Novak will read selections of her poems and novels and tell us about her writing style.