Visual Arts Minnesota is a membership organization that serves both artists and non-artists. Our mission statement is: "Creating opportunities for visual artists to exhibit and promote their work; providing resources for visual artists, students, and educators; and fostering an appreciation for the visual arts in our everyday lives." Visual Arts Minnesota provides art exhibitions and competitions that allow artists present their work to the arts-appreciating public. These opportunities, in turn, allow for artists to connect with businesses, schools and individuals who include them for both private and public projects. With three competitive, high-profile exhibits for adult artists, the Essential Art Exhibit, Art ala Carte Exhibit and Art for Artists (at US Bank), artists from Minnesota are able to exhibit their best work to reputable jurors and the community. To expose school aged children to visual arts, Visual Arts Minnesota presents the popular High School Art Exhibit and All Ages Art (New!), where young artists take their work from the classroom and present it in a gallery setting! Last year, Visual Arts Minnesota added the Young Artist Exhibition Program for high school students to coordinate an art exhibit from beginning to end. Visual Arts Minnesota manages four satellite galleries (Centracare Health Plaza, Red Cross, USBank of St. Cloud, and St. Cloud Civic Center), artists have opportunities to exhibit their work in professional non-gallery environments, allowing for even more opportunities to gain the attention of art buyers.