MPLSART.COM

What MPLSART.COM does

MPLSART.COM is an independent, privately operated arts publication and community platform focused exclusively on the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) visual arts scene. Founded around 2005 and run by operators Blaine Garrett and Anika Sieh, the company maintains a web-based platform that combines an exhibition calendar (current and upcoming shows, classes, festivals), a gallery guide, editorial arts journalism, and an annual Summer Art Fest Guide. Core products include the Weekly Newsletter (currently issue #451, distributed every Thursday at 4PM via Mailchimp to 1,594+ organic subscribers with a 53.28% open rate and 8.3% click-through rate as of Q2 2025), the Gallery Guide directory, and artist profile content produced with youth apprentices from Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA).

The platform's technology is a conventional web CMS with social media distribution (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky), e-commerce for limited merchandise, and standard payment integrations (Stripe for memberships and merchandise, PayPal and Venmo for donations). Signature programming includes the Sketchbook Project, a collaborative art initiative launched in 2020 during the pandemic that produced five traveling sketchbooks featuring works by 69 (2020) and 70 (2021) Twin Cities artists, with the 2020 originals acquired by the Minnesota Museum of American Art for its permanent collection.

MPLSART.COM generates revenue through a diversified mix of small-dollar streams: website and newsletter display advertising ($50-$240 per placement), sponsored social posts ($100-$300), Premium Gallery Memberships ($360/year or $30/month for galleries; $600/year or $50/month for institutions and studio buildings), Individual Sustaining Memberships with apparel/pin perks from JXTA and A Fink & Ink, paid Summer Art Fest Guide festival listings ($125 each), Sketchbook Project sponsorships ($500-$2,000 tiers), merchandise (e.g., a $55 limited edition hoodie), and tax-deductible donations channeled through fiscal sponsor NEMAA (minimum $200 for deductibility). The customer base spans Twin Cities galleries and art spaces, local artists, art festivals and crawls, and local businesses (e.g., Turbo Tim's Anything Automotive, Wet Paint, Flanders Art) seeking access to an engaged, arts-focused local audience.

Name

MPLSART.COM

Legal name

MPLSART.COM

Website

https://mplsart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MPLSART.COM is an independent Twin Cities arts publication and community platform founded in 2005 that operates an exhibition calendar, gallery guide, editorial coverage, and weekly newsletter serving Minneapolis/St. Paul visual artists, galleries, festivals, and arts-engaged local audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Arts and Culture Media

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternative/Independent Newsweeklies & Opinion Press (MPAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

Keywords

• Arts journalism
• Exhibition calendar
• Gallery directory
• Arts marketing
• Local arts media

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Sponsorships: Website display ads, newsletter ads, and social media sponsorships offered to local businesses and arts organizations. Multiple ad formats including Crown Banner, Basic Banner, MPU ads, and sponsored posts.
2. Gallery Memberships: Premium Gallery Guide membership program for galleries at $360/year or $30/month, with additional tier for institutions and studio buildings at $600/year or $50/month.
3. Individual Sustaining Memberships: Individual membership program with various levels, offering perks like exclusive apparel designed by JXTA and pins from A Fink & Ink.
4. Donations and Tips: Voluntary contributions from supporters, with tax-deductible options through fiscal sponsor NEMAA (minimum $200 for tax deductibility).
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including limited edition hoodies designed by Juxtaposition Arts, printed by Rebel Ink, priced at $55.
6. Festival Guide Listings: Paid listings in the annual Summer Art Fest Guide at $125 per festival/event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MPLSART.COM is an independent online arts publication and community platform for the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) visual arts scene. It publishes a continuously updated exhibition calendar, editorial arts journalism, and a directory of local galleries and art spaces, supported by a weekly email newsletter and social channels. Revenue is generated by selling display advertising (site, newsletter, social), premium gallery memberships, individual sustaining memberships, Sketchbook Project book sales and sponsorships, limited edition merchandise, and voluntary donations processed through fiscal sponsor NEMAA.

Product overview

MPLSART.COM is a local arts publication and community platform for the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) visual arts scene. The platform operates as a content hub combining an exhibition calendar (Now Showing/Upcoming Events), editorial coverage (Written articles), and a Gallery Guide. The core offering is a free public resource for discovering local art, supported by multiple revenue streams including advertising (Website Display Ads, Newsletter Ads, Social Sponsorships), Premium Gallery Memberships, Individual Sustaining Memberships, and merchandise. The organization also runs the Sketchbook Project as a signature collaborative art initiative supporting local artists. Key differentiator is the combination of comprehensive event listings with editorial journalism and community-building programs, all focused on the Twin Cities visual arts ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exhibition Calendar Continuously updated online calendar of visual art exhibitions, openings, receptions, classes, and gallery events across the Twin Cities metro area. Free public resource used by art enthusiasts to discover what is on view now and what is upcoming.
• Editorial Arts Journalism (Written) Original arts journalism including artist profiles, exhibition reviews, interviews, and feature articles covering the Twin Cities visual arts scene. Produced by contract writers and editors and published free to the public.
• Gallery Guide Directory of Twin Cities galleries, art centers, museums, and alternative art spaces with venue information, hours, and contact details. Member galleries receive premium placement and profiles.
• Summer Art Fest Guide Seasonal editorial guide to art festivals, markets, art crawls, and outdoor art events across the Twin Cities from May through September, with paid listing slots for organizers.
• Weekly Newsletter Thursday email newsletter delivering Twin Cities art news, event highlights, exhibition previews, and sponsored placements to 1,594+ organic subscribers with a 53.28% open rate.
• Individual Sustaining Membership Paid monthly or annual individual membership supporting local art journalism, with perks including exclusive MPLSART.COM apparel designed by Juxtaposition Arts and limited edition pins from A Fink & Ink.
• Premium Gallery Membership Annual membership for galleries ($360/year or $30/month) and institutions/studio buildings ($600/year or $50/month), including Gallery Guide placement, profile page, homepage feature, editorial coverage opportunities, and a 20% advertising discount.
• Sketchbook Project Collaborative community art initiative in which Twin Cities artists contribute original works to traveling sketchbooks. Editions produced in 2020 and 2021, featuring 69 and 70 artists respectively, with limited edition printed books, exhibitions, and artist interviews; net proceeds from book sales and auctions are divided among participating artists.
• Website Display Advertising On-site display advertising on mplsart.com in three formats: Crown Banner ($240/week), Basic Banner ($180/month), and MPU mid-page units ($50/week), rotating with other advertisers.
• Newsletter Advertising Weekly email display ad placements in the Thursday newsletter at $90 per placement, distributed to 1,594+ subscribers with a 53.28% open rate.
• Social Media Sponsorship Sponsored posts and calendar carousel sponsorships across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky; weekly calendar carousel sponsorship at $100 for Instagram and Facebook, and full-platform sponsored posts at $300.
• MPLSART.COM Limited Edition Hoodie Limited edition branded apparel sold through the MPLSART.COM online shop; carbon-color hoodie with a pink logo designed by Juxtaposition Arts and screen printed by Rebel Ink, priced at $55.
• Sketchbook Project Sponsorship Tiered sponsorship of the Sketchbook Project at Bronze ($500), Silver ($1,000), and Gold ($2,000), including recognition on the sponsors page of the limited edition book, social media shoutouts, press inclusion, and additional advertising credits at higher tiers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 53.28% newsletter open rate (8.3% click-through rate)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minnesota Museum of American Art (The M)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Acquired all five original sketchbooks from the 2020 MPLSART Sketchbook Project for their permanent collection. Hosted online viewing of sketchbooks.
• Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEMAA serves as MPLSART's fiscal sponsor, enabling tax-deductible donations. NEMAA keeps 7% of donated funds for this service. MPLSART members can receive 20% discount on advertising packages.
• Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization whose youth apprentices work with MPLSART on writing program for artist profiles. JXTA designs exclusive apparel for MPLSART sustaining memberships and limited edition merchandise.
• A Fink & InkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocally produced pins included as perks for sustaining members.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party payment processor used for all membership billing, merchandise sales, and advertising payments. Provides secure payment processing with industry standard data security.
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processor for donations and tips, including option for recurring monthly or yearly contributions.
• Wet PaintminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOngoing sponsor and advertiser of MPLSART and Sketchbook Project sponsor.
• Clay Squared to InfinityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sketchbook Projects (2020 and 2021).
• Shapco PrintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sketchbook Projects (2020 and 2021).
• Revere AuctionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sketchbook Projects (2020 and 2021) and auction house for original sketchbooks.
• Color Space ImagingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sketchbook Projects (2020 and 2021).
• Gamut GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium gallery member and host of Sketchbook Project exhibitions in 2020 and 2021.
• South Loop Creative Placemaking (Bloomington)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sketchbook Projects (2020 and 2021).
• Turbo Tim's Anything AutomotiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOngoing sponsor and advertiser supporting local arts community.
• All My Relations GalleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sketchbook Projects (2020 and 2021).
• University of St. Thomas - Art History GalleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Sketchbook Project 2020.
• Hennepin Theatre TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertiser and community partner.
• McKnight FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertiser and supporter of Twin Cities arts.
• J.D. Graves FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertiser and supporter of Twin Cities arts.
• Northrup King BuildingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertiser and arts community partner.
• Rebel InkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal screen printing company that prints MPLSART merchandise including limited edition hoodies.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hyperallergic: Independent arts publication covering visual arts, culture, and politics at a national scale. Closest direct comparable to MPLSART in mission and editorial model, but operating at significantly larger scope.
• The Brooklyn Rail: Independent alternative publication covering contemporary arts and culture with deep community-driven editorial. Comparable to MPLSART in independent-publication positioning, though focused on New York's art ecosystem.
• Bad at Sports: Contemporary art podcast and publication covering the visual arts scene with a community-driven editorial model. Comparable in niche arts publishing approach, though distributed primarily as audio content.
• Artillery Magazine: Independent arts publication based in Los Angeles covering contemporary art, music, and culture. Comparable to MPLSART in independent-publication editorial model and community focus.
• Juxtapoz Magazine: Long-running independent arts magazine covering contemporary visual art, street art, and emerging artists. Comparable to MPLSART in editorial coverage of visual arts but with national print and digital distribution.

Others

• Walker Art Center: Major Minneapolis-based contemporary arts institution that hosts exhibitions, commissions work, and operates Mn Artists (a regional arts platform). Adjacent rather than directly competitive: MPLSART covers Twin Cities arts including Walker's programming.

Broad incumbents

• Artsy: Global online arts marketplace combining editorial content, gallery listings, and auction aggregation. Comparable in editorial coverage of visual arts but operates at much broader scale and as a marketplace platform.
• Artnet News: Established arts news outlet covering market and exhibition news globally. Comparable in arts journalism but operates as a major commercial news brand adjacent to the Artnet auction marketplace.

Regional players

• Minnesota Monthly: Regional lifestyle and culture magazine covering Minnesota including arts, dining, and local events. Comparable in regional editorial coverage and Twin Cities audience, though broader in scope than arts-specific.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mplsart
• Instagraminstagram.com/mplsart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mplsart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MPLSART.COM