The Minnesotan of the Year in the Arts is recognized at the Annual Meeting in May of each year for an outstanding contribution in the fields of Painting, Sculpture, Writing, Music, Theatre, Arts Administration or Arts Philanthropy.  The recipient must have made a lasting contribution nationally or internationally in his or her field.  The 'arts philanthropy' category includes those who are not necessarily artists, but have made a significant contribution to the arts as a volunteer, philanthropist, or visionary.

2011 Minnesotan of the Year

Annette Atkins

Annette Atkins received her B.A. from Southwest State in Marshall, Minnesota.  She went on to receive her M.A. and Ph.D. from Indiana University.  She accepted a one year position at St. John's/St. Benedict's in 1980, and has remained at the Collegeville campuses ever since!

Her history of Minnesota, entitled "Creating Minnesota: A History from the Inside Out"  was published in 2007. In addition, "Harvest of Grief: Grasshopper Plagues and Public Assistance in Minnesota" recounted the grasshopper plagues of the 1870's, and "We Grew Up Together: Brothers and Sisters in Nineteenth Century America."

All three books are available on Amazon.com