Part of New $1 Million Annual Fund Supporting Workforce Development, Arts and Culture and Affordable Housing U.S. Bank recently gifted Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA) a $50,000 Community Possible grant to help fund the inaugural programming season of its new skate-able art plaza. The grant is part of U.S. Bank’s new annual $1 million fund focused on organizations driving economic development across the country in the areas of workforce preparation, affordable housing and arts and culture.
“We are thrilled to be selected as recipients of U.S. Bank’s first-ever Market Impact Fund to help us launch the first year of programming on our new skate-able art plaza,” said DeAnna Cummings, Juxtaposition Arts CEO and Co-Founder. “Through this programming, we hope to engage our neighborhood with free and accessible events, encourage community co-ownership of this space, and complement our ongoing mission to provide education and employment opportunities to young people in North Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities.”
To celebrate this gift, JXTA will host a day of art-making, activities, and acknowledgements during Open Streets West Broadway on Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. JXTA’s participation in Open Streets 2019 will include skateboarding demonstrations, performances on the skate-able art plaza, refreshments, JXTA retail for sale, art-making, a game booth, and a meet-and-greet with Timberwolves mascot Crunch. A brief presentation will occur at approximately 1:00 p.m.
JXTA will use the funds to provide programming for the new skate-able art plaza in partnership with the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition and City of Skate. Through the new annual Market Impact Fund, U.S. Bank invests $50,000 grants to 20 nonprofit organizations across the country. The new Fund is in addition to U.S. Bank’s Community Possible giving platform focused on grant cycles in the areas of Work, Home and Play.
“Establishing this new Fund allows us to further focus our efforts on supporting those organizations like Juxtaposition Arts, which are working to close historical economic gaps in the areas of greatest need,” said Phillip Trier, Twin Cities Market President for U.S. Bank. “Our communities are stronger when people have jobs, stable housing and when their communities are connected through the arts, recreation and play. Our goal is to give larger grants to create meaningful local impact working with and through market leaders and nonprofit organizations who know their communities the best.”
Learn more about U.S. Bank’s social responsibility work here: www.usbank.com/csr2018 or www.usbank.com/community.
Open Streets at Juxtaposition Arts event information:
• What: performances, art-making, skateboarding demonstrations, face painting, and other activities
• When: Saturday, September 14, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Where: Juxtaposition Arts Skate-Able Art Plaza (corner of West Broadway Avenue and North Emerson Avenue)
• Meet-and-greet with Timberwolves Mascot Crunch at 12:00 p.m.
• Program and check presentation at approximately 1:00 p.m. RSVP on Facebook