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I am the program manager for Cultivate Arts 2024 as a collaboration between Metro Transit and Hennepin County as an Anti-displacement initiative.

Overview:
The METRO Blue Line Extension is proposed to operate on 13.4 miles of light rail track connecting downtown Minneapolis to the communities of North Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park. The proposed project would provide transit improvements in the highly traveled northwest area of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and a one-seat ride from Brooklyn Park to MSP airport and Mall of America. The project provides an opportunity to invest in BIPOC communities and reduce regional disparities.

Cultivate Arts was launched in 2018, planting the seeds for building connections among local artists, businesses, residents, community organizations and the cities in the corridor. Local artists are recruited to conduct arts engagement activities to reach audiences that often under-represented at BLE project public meetings. Community artists bring their creativity and passions to support a stronger sense of place and community in their own backyards.

Goals:
Cultivate Arts 2024 goals `

• Engaging community to inform and consult regarding the Metro Blue Line Extension current planning efforts ` 
• Celebrate local arts and culture specific to geographic areas. ` 
• Develop partnerships across cities, community organizations, and artists as an opportunity to grow a vibrant arts culture that recognizes cultural assets as critical economic drivers. ` 
• Build local artist capacity for ongoing participation in cultural communities, arts engagement, and project planning.