Cowles Pavilion, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

This assessment of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden for The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board resulted in recommendations for the Cowles Conservatory. The Conservatory is one of the most cherished features of the Garden and yet has the potential to be a much better-used destination.

The vision and program, developed while Phil was working for MIG, was intended to redefine this place as a community destination and be a potential source of revenue for the Park Board. The strategy also looked at management and operations, event programming, and how surrounding outdoor spaces could also be used for markets, festivals, and other types of events.

Key strategies and recommendations included:

• Attracting new visitors and audiences for the Garden and adjacent Walker Art Center

• Developing new sources of revenues to support improvements

• Increasing the level of programs and events

• Revamping the operations and management structures that would enable the Park Board to implement these strategies

In addition to the high-level vision and detailed program, the deliverable included an operations plan and proforma budget, and case studies and comparable destinations.