Plains Art Museum to open new center Sunday

Plains Art Museum is “Celebrating our Creative Community” with the opening of the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity on Sunday during a public open house.

Located directly west of the museum, this 25,500 square-foot expansion is a multipurpose arts facility offering classes for the community, as well as studio and exhibition space for learning, discussion and display of creative work.

It will focus on developing people’s potential for deeper learning and problem solving through 21st-century skills: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication.

In a partnership, Fargo Public Schools will serve as a cornerstone client in the center: the district’s Creative Arts Studio will relocate from Clara Barton Elementary to the Center.

At least 5,000 additional K-5 students will visit each year for gallery and studio learning at the museum and center, increasing the total number of students served to nearly 10,000. After its first year open, the museum plans to expand school participation to 12,000 students annually for a total of 16,000, including other area school districts.

“The center’s namesake, K Burgum, would appreciate this partnership between public and private organizations for the betterment of our youth and community,” said Colleen Sheehy, Plains Art Museum director and CEO.

The museum has the Center for Creativity named for Katherine Kilbourne Burgum to recognize her work as an arts advocate and educator in the region.

Her children, Doug, Barbara and the late Brad Burgum, have worked to advance her legacy and impact on the entire community.

“‘K,’ as our mother was known to so many, was a believer in the concept that art should be present and accessible for everyone in day-to-day life,” said Doug Burgum. “She undoubtedly would have been a tireless supporter of the Center for Creativity and would be incredibly honored that the center bears her name.”

The community is invited to join with the museum to “Celebrate our Creative Community” with the grand opening of the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Center for Creativity on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., including a brief dedication and ribbon cutting at 12:15 p.m.

Tags: diversions, arts