Art Works Eagan, Rotary Club Join Forces

EAGAN, MN — Art Works Eagan (AWE) and Rotary Club of Eagan announce a great new partnership to make Eagan’s community more creative. The Rotary Club of Eagan is pledging $150,000 to Art Works Eagan, fueling AWE’s capital campaign to purchase Eagan’s former Fire Administration Building at 3795 Pilot Knob Road. AWE’s plans for the existing structure include studio spaces for artists, fine art gallery, small performance area, and makers’ workshop.

“The club didn’t want to miss this opportunity to get on board to benefit Eagan’s thriving arts community,” said Quinn Hutson, chair of the Rotary Club of Eagan’s Major Project Committee. “While the committee very much liked the fit of this building and its visibility within the community, the concept of Art Works Eagan is what we are supporting, not just this building option,” said Hutson, a principal with CNH Architects.

The Rotary Club of Eagan is contributing $50,000 toward building purchase and pledging $20,000 annually for the next five years. Living up to the Rotary motto “Service Above Self,” the club’s 80 members have generously agreed to contribute ongoing volunteerism to assist with facility improvements. Rotarians in Eagan have supported past major projects such as the Rotary Bandshell in Eagan’s Central Park, playground equipment at Blackhawk Lake and the educational Fire Safety Trailer. The club’s Community Grant Program distributes close to $30,000 annually to nonprofit projects directly benefitting Eagan residents.

Other donors have been inspired by Rotary’s leadership. AWEsome Anonymous Friends have also made a major commitment to AWE’s capital campaign. They are making a $25,000 donation toward the building’s purchase and pledging $10,000 yearly for five years.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Eagan, AWEsome Anonymous Friends and a host of other community-minded contributors, AWE has secured $90,000 in donations toward the building’s purchase and a combined $150,000 in five-year support pledges. “We need $150,000 more in up-front capital to cross the $350,000 capital campaign finish line, and now we know it can be done,” said Art Works Eagan President Jerri Neddermeyer. “We continue to seek large donations, corporate and private sponsorships, and buy-in from every community member with an interest in building a better community through creativity.”

Art Works Eagan’s mission is to enhance the local arts community by connecting working artists, arts organizations and the public in creative gathering spaces. To contribute to AWE, visit the website or for more information, visit Art Works Eagan on Facebook,

Photo Credit: Tami Phillippi from Tami’s FASTFRAME Eagan

Pictured L-R: Jodi Hassing (Rotary Club of Eagan President Elect), Jon Hohenstein, Russ Zellmer, Jerri Neddermeyer (AWE President), John Rhody, Ed Neppl, Mike Maguire, Jeff Mortensen, Gary Huusko (Rotary Club of Eagan President), Lyle Tollefsrud, Steve Haschig, Jim Overocker, Scott Swenson, Quinn Hutson (Major Project Committee Chair), and Ryan Murphy