Random Sampler

THE RANDOM SAMPLER

An update from Wilder Research

FEBRUARY 2010

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Paul Mattessich
Executive Director

Why art?

A new art exhibit, "Remember Where You Come From," goes on display soon at Wilder Center.

Why do we display art? Our first and fourth floor "galleries" provide venues for rotating exhibitions by local artists. What value does art bring to an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in our communities, especially for the most vulnerable?

You may have your own answer. Mine appears below.

Art brings variety to our senses. Typically, it decorates our environment with beauty. Sometimes, it confronts us face-to-face with ugliness. An environment with art stimulates and provokes any or all of our senses and creates impacts on our bodies and minds. More

Wilder Research
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Artist Reception and Exhibit

Thursday, March 4, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Wilder Center

Please join us for a special reception to meet local artists and view their works. The first floor gallery will feature "Remember Where You Come From," an exhibit by Ernesto "Neto" Ybarra. The 4th floor gallery will feature works by 12 local artists that include oils, water colors, jewelry and photography. Learn more.

Featured on our web site

Woodbury basic needs assessment

See how one community foundation is using findings from a needs assessment to guide how they direct their resources and leverage partnerships.

Studies show cost savings of early childhood education:
Cost savings analysis of school readiness in Michigan(November 2009) conducted for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in Michigan, found that state spending over the past 25 years on Pre-K children saved Michigan taxpayers an estimated $1.15 billion in 2009.
The cost burden to Minnesota K-12 when children are unprepared for kindergarten (December 2008) conducted for the Bush Foundation, found the estimated cost burden to the Minnesota K-12 system due to children entering kindergarten unprepared for school success is about $113 million annually.

New evaluation tipsheet

Logic models: Better thinking for better results
From our recent workshop. Outlines the purpose, benefits, and process for building a logic model.

Interesting reading

Social media has exploded over the past year, and it's hard to keep up. Communications Manager Nancy Hartzler passes on recommendations of web sites she finds helpful for staying current. Nancy's picks.

Twin Cities Compass is now statewide!

Now, get county and regional trends data for the Twin Cities 7-county region and regions across the state. Also find ideas and strategies to improve quality of life in your community. mncompass.org

Here's a sampling of information you'll find:

About half the state's residents live in the Twin Cities 7-county region, which is expected to reach 3 million in the next decade.
Minnesota's average annual greenhouse gas emissions declined slightly in 2006. This is the first sign of a potential reversal; the measure has increased each year since recording began in 1970.
The percentage of adults in Minnesota with diabetes nearly doubled between 1995 and 2008. However, we still have the lowest percentage of adults with diabetes of all 50 states.

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