A New Chapter for the Cowles Center
Two nonprofit arts organizations, Arts’ Nest and Zenon Dance School, have been chosen by the city of Minneapolis to take over operations of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts. The venue has been closed since spring 2024 due to financial challenges. If approved by the City Council, these two groups will collaborate to bring life back to the space through performances, educational programs, and community initiatives.
Jenna Papke, executive director of Arts’ Nest, expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness about the opportunity. Her organization has been running the Phoenix Theater at 26th Street & Hennepin Avenue since 2014. Currently, Arts’ Nest only has two full-time administrative staff, with the rest of the team consisting of part-time artists, technical staff, and freelance workers. When she read the city’s proposal request for a new operator, she felt that the requirements aligned with the work her organization already does.
“I’m reading through what the city wanted and I’m like, well, we’re not a perfect candidate, but let’s just go do the tour,” she said. After visiting the space and speaking with Ben Johnson, director of the city’s department of arts and cultural affairs, who suggested partnering with other groups, Papke immediately thought of Zenon, which is located next door at the Hennepin Center for the Arts.
Papke and Danielle Robinson-Prater, director of Zenon, began developing a plan to make the Cowles Center a vibrant hub for the arts. They are also working with Robin Gillette of Arts Progress, a consulting firm, to explore ways to raise funds, secure sponsorships, and expand their operations.
The proposal is set to be submitted to the City Council’s Business, Housing & Zoning Committee on Tuesday. A vote could happen in a few weeks. Papke hopes the Cowles Center will be ready to open in February 2026, starting with a $1.5 million budget and eventually growing to a $2 million budget.
One of Papke’s goals for the space is to “un-silo” the arts. While dance will be the primary focus, she wants to include other art forms as well. “There’s only so many dance companies in this town,” she said. “So, I’m just going to fill the rest of the weeks with anything that makes sense and that won’t damage the beautiful floors.” Potential events include comedy specials, concerts, live podcasts, and TED talks.
Papke also plans to apply for a liquor license, something the previous operator did not have. She mentioned that the club next door handled the bar before shows and during intermissions.
Meanwhile, Zenon will create a new arm for programming. Currently, the school offers adult and youth classes and runs a pre-professional program. With the new partnership, Zenon will support the Cowles Center with Arts’ Nest as the operator. Robinson-Prater aims to facilitate outreach and engagement with the community through residencies and workshops for artists coming through the Cowles. “If a group wanted to offer a student matinee, we would coordinate that with them,” she said.
Zenon will also work to re-establish dance education initiatives that were part of the Cowles before it closed, such as a roster of dance educators and regular classes both at the Cowles and in schools and communities. Robinson-Prater hopes to restart the Cowles’ innovative virtual learning program, which provided access to dance education to schools and communities around the state.
Ben Johnson, who both Papke and Robinson-Prater credit for inspiring the idea to think outside the box through collaboration, could not be reached for comment. However, he previously stated, “This recommendation represents an exciting step forward in our efforts to center equity, creativity and community in the heart of downtown.”
