Center for Arts & Technology progress report includes good news

The feasibility phase for a potential Center for Arts & Technology is in full swing, and early reports indicate some positive feedback. National Center for Art & Technology (NCAT) staff members are working to ascertain whether a local project, which would include arts programming for youth and work force training for adults, could generate enough support for implementation in Minneapolis. NCAT Community Liaison Amy Mihalcin said, "After meeting with a number of arts organizations, corporations, and educational facilities, the NCAT team is finding that there are many opportunities for collaboration and we have been told that the programs offered by a Center for Arts & Technology would be a good fit for the community."

Bob Rolston, Vice President/General Manager with Honeywell, recently came on board to co-chair the efforts of the local team with Wesley Walker, Executive Director, NorthWay Community Trust. He became involved after hearing Bidwell Training Center / Manchester Craftsmen's Guild President and CEO Bill Strickland's compelling presentation here in March. Rolston said, "Strickland's story about what he did in Pittsburgh really resonated with me personally and professionally. With Honeywell's long-standing presence in the Twin Cities, it seemed that we could support a local center and its curricula. Plus my participation allows me to give back to the community."

The NCAT staff is working with a local team of organizations, NorthWay Community Trust, SubZero Collective, Emerge, The Downtown Council and the Public Policy Project. A preliminary report summarizing all the feasibility discussions is scheduled to be available later this month.

Northside Achievement Zone's momentum continues

The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) has made great leaps forward in its promise of "Opportunities... Guaranteed." The initative was officially kicked off at the GO! Northside 5KRun/Walk and Finish Line Festival on May 30. The launch event focused on connecting children, youth and families living in the NAZ with the initiative. Click here to download an informative NAZ fact sheet prepared by the team for handing out at the event.

A few days earlier, a NAZ team attended a presentation by Geoffrey Canada, leader of the Harlem Children's Zone, the transformative program that serves as the model and inspires the work of the NAZ. Following the program, the team attended a Joint House/Senate E-12 Education Committee Working Group meeting where the NAZ was formally presented to legislators, who also had the opportunity to speak with CEO Canada.

The NAZ also held its Quarterly Meeting, now called the NAZ Forum, on June 17. The agenda included:

• A progress report and history of the NAZ initiative
• An overview of opportunities to get meaningfully involved
• An introduction to NAZ Connect, the new web-tool in development
• A presentation of the Outreach Team and key strategies to engage families and neighbors in the NAZ
• Time for conversation with the parents and neighbors in the Zone already starting to get involved.

The next NAZ Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 from 10am - noon in the Peace Foundation offices, 1119 W. Broadway (upstairs from the Cookie Cart).

The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) is a collaborative effort working to guarantee opportunities, support and education for all children growing up in designated "Achievement Zones" in North Minneapolis. The NAZ is facilitated by NorthWay and the Peace Foundation. For more information, visit online, email the Project Coordinator Michelle Palo or call 612-709-4856.