What in the world would possess someone to become executive director of the Minnesota State Arts Board when the governor wants to cut – and then phase out – its $10.2 million annual appropriation and turn the board into a nonprofit?

"I think one can be most helpful when things are difficult," says Sue Gens, who was recently appointed after serving as interim director for a year. "I do believe if one wants to be helpful, and to grow personally and professionally, you do that when you're out of your comfort zone … not when it's smooth sailing."

Gens has eight years of experience with the arts board and 25 years altogether in the Twin Cities, working with various arts organizations and the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute in communications, development and external relations. Before her stint as interim director, she was director of communications and external relations for the board.

"It's all the same work — talking about the important things we do and why someone might want to invest in them," says Gens, who has a degree in music but concluded early that she wasn't going to succeed as a professional keyboardist. Instead, she decided her efforts were better directed at helping others succeed in the arts.

Sheila Smith, executive director for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, said Gens has already been "performing very well" as the interim director. "She has been leading the strategic process for whatever new proceeds will become available from the Clean Water, Environment and Legacy Amendment," Smith says. "I actually think it's a very exciting time to become head of the arts board. Although there are challenges in the Legislature, I don't believe that once we get through this session that arts will be zeroed out because there's a huge grassroots effort out there making sure that doesn't happen."

Meanwhile, Gens faces choppy waters as legislators sort through competing priorities and a record budget deficit. "The arts board is among hundreds and hundreds of agencies in the same situation … all talking about the important things we do and hoping for the best possible outcome," she says.

She seems to take in stride Gov. Tim Pawlenty's suggestion to turn the arts board into a nonprofit. Among the board's various duties to promote accessibility to the arts, it administers grants to regional arts councils throughout the state, including money from the National Endowment for the Arts.

"His is one of a number of suggestions made this year about the appropriate structure of the arts board," she said. "When there is so much scrutiny, we should be motivated to say, 'Are we delivering services in the best way possible?' … It's important for everyone to ask if there's a better way to serve Minnesota. If we explore it, we need to make sure it's strong and effective. … Clearly this is his recommendation -- I know other legislators have other thoughts. At the end of the day we all have to come together in some central meeting point."

Tasks and talking points
This year, her focus is on funding for the board, and how and which agency will make arts funding decisions once revenue starts flowing in 2010 from the sales-tax increase approved by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (which could eventually yield $50 million annually for arts and culture). Pawlenty proposes cutting the State Arts Board's budget to $6.9 million in 2010, $3.4 million in 2011 and zero after that. What are her talking points in such an environment?

Besides the personal satisfaction so many Minnesotans derive from the arts, she says the arts "help do a lot of the things in the state that the state wants to get done." She cites academic achievement, revitalizing communities, public safety and economic development. 

A specific example of economic development is the revitalization of northeast Minneapolis, where empty warehouses are now populated by artist studios and the neighborhood is alive with activity. "It's that kind of transformation," she says.

What more does Gens want to impart?

"While I'm very sensitive about how tough this [legislative] session is going to be, it's important to keep an eye on the long term … how the arts continue to serve this generation and the generations beyond. … The other thing I have to say is this isn't happening to the arts because something is wrong with the arts; it's because of what's happening in the national economy and the international economy. It's figuring out how best to weather this storm."

She feels confident about that challenge. "We in the arts community tend to be fairly creative and resilient."

Finally, she'd like to hear your suggestions on how the board might better deliver its services in the future. Call the arts board at 651-215-1600 or send email to msab [at] arts.state.mn.us.   

Readers: What do you think of the governor's proposal to turn the Minnesota State Arts Board into a nonprofit? Which agency should be in charge of administering the arts and culture revenue from the sales-tax increase?