FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about our visual arts studio:

Where are you located?

We are located in the Creative Enterprise Zone of Saint Paul, Minnesota (around the corner from Can Can Wonderland).

Is your gallery open to the public?

Yes! We are open from 9 am to 4 pm on Monday through Friday. Find out more information about visiting us here.

Do you have free parking available?

Yes! We have lots of free parking directly in front of our building (as well as a handy bike rack).

If I purchase an artwork, how are the proceeds used?

Interact is committed to artistic equity and pays artists 50% of all sales, which is an industry standard commission. The rest goes back into funding for supplies and professional development for our artists.

I'd like Interact to have a show at my gallery/business/organization. How can I facilitate this?

Thank you for your interest in our work! Please reach out to us at gallery@interactcenter.com with details. We have a steering committee dedicated to reviewing exhibition opportunities and determining which are the best fit for our goals.

What kind of classes do you offer? Can I just sign up for a class?

Our workshops and professional development opportunities are reserved for artists enrolled in our program. Find out how to become an artist here.

Who made the artwork featured here?

Artists in our signature artist program, a group selected for representing Interact's values of artistic excellence, innovation, and leadership. You'll find artist bios here. We also post interviews and other featured content about our artists on our journal page. Subscribe to stay tuned!

What ages can attend Interact?

Interact supports adults with disabilities. Artists must be at least 18 year old to participate in our program.

Who is on your visual arts staff? How can I find out about opportunities?

Our staff is made up of practicing professional artists, art organizers, and curators. We are also disability justice advocates. Find out about current opportunities here.

Can I just stop in and do art?

We welcome visitors during our open hours on Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm, but our studio space is reserved for artists enrolled in our program. Find out how to become an artist here.

I'm an artist. Can I show/sell my work at Interact?

Interact only represents artists enrolled in our program. Find out how to become an artist here. We love collaborating with other artists, and we do organize group shows that feature the work of Interact artist along side the work for other local, national, and international artists. If you're interest in collaborating, email us with a proposal at gallery@interactcenter.com.

I'm a teaching-artist. How can I get involved?

Through our profiling professional series, we invite local, national, and international artists to give artist talks, lead workshops, and collaborate on projects with us throughout the year. We regularly put out calls for proposals. Can't wait? Feel free to email us with a great idea at gallery@interactcenter.com. Find out about opportunities to join our team here.

Where can I see the work of Interact artists exhibited?

Check out our calendar for a list of all our upcoming events here.

How is the work priced?

We use a size-based method of pricing artwork; we price by the linear inch (h + w) multiplied by a number that accounts for the artist's time and labor and the cost of materials. We are committed to ensuring the fair compensation or our artists, as well as transparent pricing practices. If you have a question about a price, please feel free to reach out to us at gallery@interactcenter.com.

How do you decide what artists will make?

Our artists’ work is self-directed. Staff will offer optional classes in which everyone learn a skill together and will offer feedback as needed in the studio, but it is up to the artist to determine the direction of and drive their work.

Have a question we haven't answered?

Email us at gallery@interactcenter.com, and we'll do our best to answer it.

Here are some frequently asked questions about disability:

What terms do we use in our community?

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans experiences a disability, which is to say that the disability community is large and diverse. Some people prefer to be identified by their disability first, for example such people would prefer to be called a deaf person rather than a person who is deaf. This is called Identity-First Language. Others prefer Person-First Language, which means they prefer to not to be labeled or defined by their disability. Always ask to find out a persons language preferences. In general, refer to the person first.

In alliance with disability justice activists who initiated the #SaytheWord campaign in 2016 that "aimed at increasing awareness on the importance of recognizing disability as part of one’s identity," Interact fully embraces disability. Using the word is important because people with disabilities are protected by federal laws. Here is an article that explains how terms such as "special needs," "differently abled," "physically challenged," and "handi-capable" perpetuate discrimination against people with disabilities.

Here is a link to some guidelines for referring about people with disabilities.

What is ableism?

According to Stop Ableism, a non-profit disability justice advocacy organization, ableism is "the practices and dominant attitudes in society that devalue and limit the potential of persons with disabilities."

Here is a recent article that explains what ableism means and why we should care.

What are some contemporary issues and resources that may be relevant to the greater disability community?

We are proud to be part of an international group of organizations dedicated to disability justice and amplifying the creative voices of people with disabilities. Here are links to a a few arts-specific organizations that share our goals: Creative Growth, Disparate Minds, LAND Gallery, and NIAD.

Here is an article that highlights some of the challenges faced by artists with disabilities.

Alice Wong’s Disability Visibility Project provides lots of information and resources for people who want to get informed about the issues.