Art + Policy

Amanda Lovelee is an artist who works in civic systems as a translator between government and community, with the goal of building equitable places where everyone belongs. Lovelee the the parks ambassador for the Met Council and previously served as the Artist in Residence for the City of Saint Paul. The creative community engagement tools Lovelee has created have been replicated across the U.S. Lovelee holds an MFA in visual studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and BFA in photography from University of Hartford. Lovelee has received funding from ArtPlace America, Jerome Foundation, Knight Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, Salzburg Global Seminar, and the NEA. She is a McKnight Visual Artist Fellow and Design for Civic Change Fellow at the Center for Urban Pedagogy.

Stephen Klimek is a city building professional advancing equitable community and economic development through place-based design and planning, impact-driven projects, and systematic approaches to civic challenges. He’s a senior planner with Met Council’s Livable Communities Program and served on the board for the Association for Community Design and Creative Enterprise Zone.

Ellie Hohulin is an arts professional, bicycle educator, and people person who is passionate about community building, increasing access to the outdoors, and the intersection of art and public spaces. She is the creative policy fellow at the Met Council, with past experiences in social media and museums.

Erika Herrmann has spent her career working with social-profit arts, culture, and media organizations to make connections to people and place stronger and more meaningful. Past projects include national community and civic engagement initiatives with Twin Cities PBS and American Public Media and the We Are Water MN project in partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Smithsonian Institution.