The Camera is a Way to Make Friends

A camera may capture the world around us, but it also has the quiet power to reveal something deeper: the shape of a soul, the trace of a memory, the truth of being seen.

This quiet power came to life during a recent COMPAS residency, when Teaching Artist Mike Hazard spent a week at Elim Oasis Adult Day Center in Princeton, Minnesota, using photography and writing to help older adults connect, create, and share their stories.

Meet the new COMPAS Teaching Artists!

COMPAS is excited to welcome nine new Teaching Artists to our roster! They bring a diverse array of media and skills that will wow students of all ages and abilities.

Here’s a quick introduction to them. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be sharing Artist Spotlight features on each of the artists to help you get to know them better.

Discovering the Creative Core: Tracy Call on Business, Resilience, and Joy

In the latest episode of Creativity on Tap, we sit down with Tracy Call—CEO of Media Bridge Advertising, author, former professional athlete, and unapologetic creative force. Known for her bold leadership and heart-first business philosophy, Tracy shares the winding path that led her from a quiet childhood in Anoka, Minnesota, to leading one of the Twin Cities’ most dynamic marketing agencies.

Creativity Isn’t on LinkedIn’s 2025 Skills List, But It’s Driving the Top 15

The world of work is changing. Fast. As technology reshapes every industry, the skills employers need are shifting too. LinkedIn reports that 70% of today’s job skills will be different by 2030. That’s not a trend. It’s a transformation. 

But through all the change, one thing remains essential: creativity. It fuels problem-solving, adaptability, communication, and almost everything else today’s workers need to thrive. 

Last week, LinkedIn released its list of the 15 fastest-growing skills in the U.S. for 2025. You won’t see “creativity” listed. But look closer, and it’s the force behind every one of the 15 skills mentioned. 

Let’s break it down. Here’s how creativity powers each of LinkedIn’s top 15 skills:

2025 Emerging Young Artists Award Show Recap

Picture it:

If the playoffs are where athletes prove their grit, the COMPAS Emerging Young Artist (EYA) program is where aspiring artists take their shot at something just as game-changing: a chance to be seen, celebrated, and launched into the next chapter of their journeys. No whistles, no scoreboards. Just raw talent, bold expression, and the kind of artistry that stops you in your tracks. Brushes, chisels, cameras, computers, and sketchbooks become instruments of triumph, and a gallery transforms into an arena.

Whiskey, History, and the Power of Creativity – A Conversation with Phil Steger

Creativity is often associated with the arts, but it also plays a crucial role in entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and innovation. In the latest episode of the COMPAS Creativity on Tap podcast, we sit down with Phil Steger, the founder and CEO of Brother Justus Whiskey Company, to explore the intersection of history, tradition, and reinvention in the world of whiskey.

Introducing Brittany Keefe! COMPAS Youth Programs Manager

COMPAS is excited to welcome new staff member Brittany Keefe! To help introduce Brittany to everyone, we asked her to share a little bit about herself, her experience in the arts, and a lot more!

Media Advisory: Emerging Young Artists Award Show and Gallery Exhibition

(Saint Paul, MN) – COMPAS (compas.org), a nonprofit that teaches through creative experiences, has announced details of the 4th annual juried art show, gallery exhibition, and awards ceremony for its Emerging Young Artists – Saint Paul (EYA – Saint Paul) program. EYA celebrates and supports young visual artists in the Saint Paul metro area while continuing the legacy of the Les Farrington Best 100 Juried Art Show, previously administered by JCI Saint Paul, also known as the Saint Paul Jaycees. 

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COMPAS is an arts education nonprofit that puts creativity in the hands of Minnesotans, regardless of their age, background, or skills. Based in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, COMPAS teaching artists deliver creative experiences and arts programming across Minnesota.

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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.