Vision | Mission | History
The Cultural Centre in Bird Island, Minnesota seeks to enrich the lives of our regional community by making the arts an essential part of community and community an essential part of the arts. We believe participation in the arts, wellness, and socialization enhances the quality of people’s lives and community wellness.
Our mission is to integrate the arts into the community and to reflect the community in the arts. We believe the quality of life is enhanced by ensuring the arts are an active part of the social fabric of the community and beyond. Participation in the arts, whether active or passice, leads to discourse, communication between people of all ethnicities, religious affiliation, genders and age groups. We believe through discourse the human condition becomes authentic for the individual and the community at large.
In July 2016, the vision of a community based art centre emphasizing relationship building, art and wellness began taking form. Discussions between Gordy Blem, owner of the Dirks-Blem Funeral Home and recenty retired owners of Glesener’s Incorporated provided a synchronistic blend between need and desire. Mark and Rosemary began work establishing a non-profit entity to fulfill their vision of a creative community gathering place.
The Centre was legally registered as the Bird Island Cultural Centre on November 8, 2016 as a nonprofit by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. It is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) as of November 22, 2016. As noted, the original name of our organization was “Bird Island Cultural Centre”, however, because we go beyong the borders of our small town, we changed the name to “The Cultural Centre in Bird Island”.
The Cultural Centre’s role in the community is to facilitate the creation of a space which enhances socialization, art appreciation and thoughtful discourse. We achieve this through monthly art exhibits, music lessons, social gatherings, art classes, writing seminars, Story Shows, First Aid/CPR, etc. Although this space is filled with activities, we strive to maintain an environment that is relaxing and welcoming – a soft place, a retreat, an environment where pondering and inspiration are nurtured.
In September 2017, The Centre purchased the historic Tinnes-Baker House, an early 1900 Craftsman-style design brick house on Highway 212 (the historic Yellowstone Trail) in downtown Bird Island. The house is currently being evaluated for National Registry Designation and its planned use will be to enhance the Cultural Centre’s many programs. You can find more about the Baker House Project here.

Photographs by Daniel J. Hoisington, March 2018


EXPERIENCE MORE AT THE CULTURAL CENTRE
Celeste Suter Exhibition - February 2023
Fiber Art | "Mystical Mandala"
Justin Beck Exhibition - March 2023
Photography
Youth Art Classes Begin - March 2023
Perspective Classes begin and registration for Youth Art Camp continues, visit here for more information.
Bradley Donner Exhibition- April 2023
Wildlife Painting
Earth Day Celebration - April 22, 2023
Join us for creative activities in celebration of Earth Day! More info to come.
Bonnie Lipinski Smith Exhibtion - May 2023
Watercolor & Color Pencil
Farmers and Artisan Market Opens - May 31st, 2023
Join us from 4-7pm for the opening day of the 2023 Market Season!
Tammy DeGruchy Grubbs Exhibition - June 2023
First Nation Artist whose work reflects her culture.
Island Days & Tales from the Tall Grass Prairie - June 2023
Bad Dad Jokes & Stories | Writing Competition
Andy Kahmann Exhibition - July 2023
Letterpress Printing | Patsy Kahmann book signing & reading | Eric Kahman - Jewelry | Jim Kahmann "My Life in Baseball" book reading
ACTS & MBW Adult Day Services Exhibition - August 2023
Multi Media Exhibition
Yellowstone Trail Quilters Exhibition - September 2023
Yellowstone Trail Sociability Run will also take place this month.
Bill van der Hagen Exhibition- October 2023
Photography | Birds and Waterfowl
Doug Peterson Exhibition- November 2023
Wildlife Painter
The Old Fashioned Christmas Market- December 1, 2023
Local gift vendors, Santa, kids activities, horse drawn wagon rides, campfire and warm beverages....like a Hallmark movie in real life.
Address
640 Dogwood Avenue P.O. Box 434
Bird Island, MN 55310
(320) 365-1011
birdislandculture@gmail.com
Gallery Hours
Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm
Summer Hours (May 1st - Aug. 31st)
Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm
Wednesday: 10am - 7pm; Saturday 1-4pm
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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.