[9/15/08 UPDATE: Approval for the grant was received today–more information and press release forthcoming!]

Thanks in large part to the energy of Art-On-Water’s Dean Kjerland, a nice proposal went in today to the Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Fund proposing that an special area in Northfield be designated the Riverwalk Arts Quarter. The grant called a Town Meeting Initiative grant, will engage asset-based community development efforts leading to economic growth and prosperity. In this case, our assets are simply our wonderful arts-based businesses! Special thanks to Dean Kjerland for for the energy to make this proposal happen, but also to venues which, at this time, are in the Riverwalk Arts Quarter such as The Sketchy Artist, Northfield Arts Guild Galleries, Northfield Arts Guild Gift Shop, ArtOrg Print Studio, GREZZO Gallery, Holmes Design, Right Brain Ventures, The Key, Art-On-Water, Bohnhoff Design, and the ArtOrg Moving Walls Gallery.