Anderson Center at Tower View 

About

The Anderson Center is a destination for people from all walks of life to come together to foster creativity and collaboration. The organization does this through programming and strategic use of the historic Tower View campus, a venerable research-and-development lab for the arts rooted in an expansive natural setting on the western edge of Red Wing. Through exceptional programs and a unique environment, the organization supports working artists and the creative process, sparks innovation and connection, and serves as a forum for substantial contributions to society.

The Anderson Center’s Artist Residency Program is central to its mission and plays a major role in building networks and community. Participating in two- or four-week residencies as part of a five artist cohort enables emerging, mid-career, and established artists to advance work in progress or initiate new work. Since 1995, the Anderson Center has nurtured more than 800 artists from 45 states and 40 foreign countries through the artist-in-residence program. These residents lead world-class engagement activities with scores of area residents.

The organization has a strong history of helping integrate the arts into community life through local partnerships, presenting arts events, and community-based initiatives. Examples include the annual Minnesota Children’s Book Festival, rotating art exhibitions, a permanent art collection of works by modern masters, the annual Holiday Art Fair & Home Tour, the "Books in the Barn" series, public art initiatives and participation in community events like the Hispanic Heritage Festival, as well as community engagement activities through the Artist Residency program.

In addition to 20 on-site artist studios, the Center offers a black-and-white equipped dark room, an outdoor kiln, glass blowing studio, blacksmith shop, printmaking facilities, and a press-in-residence. Representing a broad range of media, including musicians, printmakers, painters, ceramicists, and writers, these artists have seen their careers grow and their creativity expand through resources and learning opportunities offered by the Anderson Center.