News & Stories
Loppet Foundation Receives Grant from Minnesota State Arts Board to Bring New Artists to the Luminary Loppet Event
September 27, 2017 (Minneapolis, Minn) – The Loppet Foundation received a grant of $35,330 from the Minnesota State Arts Board to add new features to its 2018 Luminary Loppet event on February 3, 2018. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
“Minnesota is a unique state in terms of support of the arts,” said Rina Rossi, program officer for the Minnesota State Arts Board. “The voters make this incredible funding possible.”
With this funding, the Loppet Foundation will work with talented local artists to unveil three exciting new large-scale art activities during the Luminary Loppet, which is part of the annual City of Lakes Loppet Festival put on by the Loppet Foundation. The Festival draws more than 12,000 participants and spectators across 20+ winter events. An estimated 10,000 people will attend the 2018 Luminary Loppet, which is the Festival’s premier, family-friendly event.
“The Luminary Loppet uses winter-themed art to build community around winter activities,” said John Munger, Executive Director of the Loppet Foundation. “These new features will add a whole new element of surprise and discovery to the event, and allow us to showcase local artists in a totally unique setting.”
With Super Bowl LII casting an international spotlight on Minneapolis on the same weekend as the 2018 Luminary Loppet, the Loppet Foundation is excited about the potential to raise awareness of our city as a vibrant cultural center.
“It’s a great opportunity to show the world how we embrace – and find beauty in – Minnesota winters. This new funding will help really us expand folks’ appreciation for winter art,” Munger said.
To see the new features, join us for the Luminary Loppet on February 3, 2018!
About the Loppet Foundation: Established in 2002 as an urban cross country ski race, the Loppet Foundation now engages 40,000 participants annually through events and programs that convene people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities through outdoor adventure. Based in Minneapolis’ Theodore Wirth Park, the Foundation has empowered more than 11,000 youth, including 9,000 from North Minneapolis, through skiing, biking, and trail running. For more information, visit loppet.org.
About the Minnesota State Arts Board: Originally established in 1903, the Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency that stimulates and encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state. The Minnesota State Arts Board works to enhance public understanding of the value of the arts by supporting visionary arts leaders and organizations, and by ensuring that people of all ages, ethnicities and abilities can participate in the arts. For more information, visit arts.state.mn.us/index.htm.