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General Information

Mission

The mission of Fine Arts Programming at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University is to foster an artistic environment of creativity that provides transformational experiences connecting our community to the world around us.

History

Prior to the 1998-99 season, the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John's University (SJU) presented two separate seasons of performing and visual arts events. Each institution had a long history of presenting quality performances and exhibitions in their venues. In 1998-1999 the first joint CSB/SJU "Partners in the Arts" season was presented by the newly organized Fine Arts Programming department. For the first time all performances and exhibitions were marketed as one season. This was met with a very enthusiastic response from the community.

Fine Arts Programming at CSB/SJU makes these mission commitments to the communities we serve:

• We curate a series of arts events that bring the finest regional and national artists to our community.
• We support and enhance the academic mission of CSB/SJU through our programming, resources, and personnel.
• We create institutional visibility and recognition through active leadership in local, state, and national arts organizations.
• We provide responsible fiscal management of resources and generate revenue through grants, sponsorships, and ticket sales.
• We create lifelong learning initiatives to encourage participation in the arts by "students" of all ages.
• We strengthen community resources in the arts through professional support of regional arts organizations that produce and present in our Fine Arts facilities.
• We provide professional development opportunities for educators to promote interdisciplinary teaching through the arts.

Through the continued support of President MaryAnn Baenninger, PhD (CSB) and President Robert Koopmann, OSB (SJU), Fine Arts Programming has continued to grow and expand, reaching new audiences each season, while securing regional and national attention for both institutions through the arts.