Art in times of crisis
When everything seems to be unraveling, when the world is noisy, divided, and uncertain, creativity pulls us back together.
We’ve seen it over and over again. In times of crisis, art sparks connection. It comforts. It helps us make sense of what’s happening and imagine what’s possible. It gives people a voice when they feel unheard. It builds bridges when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
For 50 years, COMPAS has been part of these moments in Minnesota. From the civil rights movement to economic recessions, cultural shifts, and a global pandemic, we’ve seen how creativity brings people together to heal, share their stories, and reimagine the future. And once, that even meant collaborating with a former U.S. president.
When art met history: COMPAS and President Jimmy Carter
In March 2015, COMPAS had the incredible opportunity to help welcome former President Jimmy Carter to Minneapolis for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Carter (who passed away on December 29, 2024) was a lifelong advocate for peace and human rights. He also understood something we’ve always believed: young people don’t just need to learn history. They need to be part of shaping it. And creativity is one of the most powerful ways to do that.
At the event, COMPAS teaching artists worked alongside Augsburg University, the University of Minnesota, the Bush Foundation, and Medtronic to make sure the arts weren’t just a side note—they were central to the experience.
- Young poets took the stage and shared their voices.
- Students painted a massive mural, capturing their visions of peace.
- A live illustrator transformed Carter’s words into art as he spoke.
“When COMPAS had the opportunity to work with college students, we jumped at the chance to be front and center with them. It was such a privilege and honor,” shares Dawne Brown White, Executive Director of COMPAS.
A lasting creative legacy
COMPAS Teaching Artist Katrina Knutson led attendees in painting, giving them space to process and express their ideas about peace. “We were painting on three large canvases, mostly freestyle but with the prompts of visions of peace,” Knutson recalls. The end result was a transportable mural that is now at Augsburg University.
Meanwhile, Teaching Artist Heidi Jeub visually captured President Carter’s speech in real-time, creating a colorful multimedia illustration of his words. That resulting piece now also lives at Augsburg, a lasting reminder of what happens when art, history, and community come together.
In addition, COMPAS Teaching Artist Frank Sentwali invited four former poetry students from Rochester Tech to share their poetry and spoken word pieces with the large audience of 1,000 attendees. “We had an opportunity to showcase high school students who were accomplished spoken word artists and get them in front of the public to have a voice and share their experiences with the attendees of the forum,” Dawne explained.
Art is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
As we reflect back on this special occasion a decade later, the world still feels divided. Schools are cutting arts programs, and funding is shrinking. Too often, young people are told their voices don’t matter. But history tells us otherwise. Art is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline. It sparks connection, builds resilience, and reminds us that we are in this together.
Looking ahead: Creativity for the next 50 years
As COMPAS looks ahead to the next 50 years, our mission remains clear: to ensure that creativity is accessible to all. Because when people create, they connect. And when they connect, they change the world.
Because Minnesota is more than just a place. It’s a community. A living, breathing network of stories, cultures, and people who show up for one another. And COMPAS will always show up for Minnesota. We will stand with our schools, our artists, our young people, and our elders. We will fight for the arts because the arts belong to all of us. We will keep creating spaces where people can express themselves, be heard, and be seen because that is how we build a Minnesota where everyone belongs.
This is our home. These are our people. And creativity will always bring us back together.
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