Board of Regents to review the value and impact of University of Minnesota art and experiential learning opportunities across the state.

According to a recent study by Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Minnesota has a unique and vibrant statewide arts and culture sector — with over 70% of Minnesotans engaging with the arts. The significant economic and community impact this love for the arts generates statewide is reflected across each of the University of Minnesota’s five campuses and their numerous art and experiential learning opportunities. 

In the Board of Regents Mission Fulfillment Committee on Thursday, Feb. 13, leaders of the Tweed Museum of Art at the Duluth campus, as well as the Weisman Art Museum and Northrop at the Twin Cities campus, will discuss the integral role the University’s arts education, outreach, collections and collaborations play in supporting Minnesota’s arts-oriented culture and contributing to the financial and quality of life benefits they provide.

“The University of Minnesota is a recognized leader in many fields. It is a particular delight to showcase our outstanding and varied campus arts and culture organizations, which have built incredible national and international reputations of their own. The value and impact they bring to the experience of our students, faculty, staff, and local communities around Minnesota is truly immeasurable,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel Croson.

The presentation will highlight past and ongoing programs and their pivotal role in enriching the student experience and advancing all three components of the University of Minnesota’s public mission — education, discovery, and public engagement. 

• The arts contribute to the University of Minnesota’s drive to support a healthier Minnesota. Numerous studies show the positive impact on physical, emotional, social and economic health and well-being. Some of those studies are done on U of campuses, from the Rochester campus’ Arts and Creativity Living Learning Community to the Weisman’s years-long Medical School partnership exploring the effects of creative activity on the clinical outcomes and brain activity of youth experiencing depression.
• Academic programs on all five University of Minnesota campuses offer world-class experiential learning opportunities. For example, Duluth Associate Professor John O’Neill’s graphic design students learn the principles of accessible design across digital and print media. He and his students recently developed a multisensory pop-up exhibition for individuals with low vision and blindness, deepening a multi-year partnership with Lighthouse Center for Vital Living. 
• The arts bring students to campus for learning experiences unlike any they could have in a traditional classroom. Each year, Northrop brings thousands of K-12 students from across the state to the Twin Cities campus for dance and music experiences, providing low-cost and free tickets, as well as bus subsidies. Many of these performances are also livestreamed and available on-demand from anywhere in the state or beyond, offering more students access to the best of national and international performing arts.

The examples noted in the presentation are a snapshot of the countless opportunities for arts and culture exploration driven by the University of Minnesota, including public activities throughout the year in museum galleries, special exhibitions, performances, live demonstrations, readings, hands-on programs, and more.

The Board is also expected to:

• Discuss the University of Minnesota and Essentia Health’s proposal to form a new, not-for-profit healthcare entity with President Rebecca Cunnigham and Essentia Health CEO Dr. David Herman. This shared vision defines the framework of a bold solution to write the next chapter of healthcare for all Minnesotans.
• Review the impact of University health sciences across the state with U of M Rochester Chancellor Lori Carrell.
• Act on amendments to Board of Regents Policy: Conflict Resolution Process for Student Academic Complaints. 
• Discuss disciplinary rankings in education and research with Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel Croson and Shashank Priya, vice president for Research and Innovation.
• Discuss support for student basic needs with Jeremy Leiferman, interim vice chancellor for Student Life on the Duluth campus, and Michelle Trumpy, director of public health at Boynton Health Services on the Twin Cities campus.
• Receive an update on engaging faculty and staff to advance the University’s mission with Andrew Alleyne, dean of the College of Science & Engineering and Brandon Sullivan, senior director of talent strategy in the Office of Human Resources.
• Review the fiscal 2026 budget framework with Julie Tonneson, vice president and budget director.
• Act on the University’s annual performance and accountability report.
• Receive an update on the development of the University’s vision for advanced agricultural research in Minnesota with Shashank Priya and Brian Buhr, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.
• Act on amendments to Board of Regents Policy: Code of Conduct for Members of the Board of Regents and Bylaws of the Board of Regents.

The Board’s Virtual Forum accepts audio, video and written input, which is shared directly with Regents and included in the Board’s public materials. The public is encouraged to visit the Virtual Forum to submit their comments. 

For more information, including future meeting times, visit regents.umn.edu.