Why Minneapolis Is A Great Place For Female Creatives
Every time I leave a local event—whether hosted by MPLS MadWomen or another Twin Cities organization—I feel inspired, motivated and completely in awe at the outstanding community I live in. Often, as I drive past familiar city landmarks on my way home, I find myself lost in thought, thinking about the impressive people I’ve met or heard speak, thinking of the many ways to get involved and start making a difference, and thinking about how great it feels to be part of a community that not only supports but encourages creative growth.
Minneapolis is a great place for female creatives. But don’t just take my word for it. According to The Atlantic, “No other place mixes affordability, opportunity and wealth so well.” For those of us who identify as women, this is especially important.
A Great Place for Women
The job outlook for creative women isn’t consistent across all 50 states. Job availability for those working in the creative industry is often scarce, but lucky for us, Minneapolis and St. Paul have each topped some of the nation’s most notable “Best Places to Work” lists for years. Minnesota cities earned the top three slots in NerdWallet’s 2016 “Best Cities for Women in the Workforce.” They found women in St. Paul participate in the workforce at almost the same rate as men, lagging by only 0.6 percent, suggesting the St. Paul working environment is a strong one for women.
A Great Place for Creatives
The most recent Creative Vitality Index (CVI™) ranks Minneapolis as the nation’s fifth most creatively vital city, based on the nearly $900 million contributed to our economy by the creative sector each year. Another $300+ million is generated each year from arts-related nonprofits throughout the Twin Cities.
Long story short: If you’re a creative woman looking to find inspiration, spark a connection or land a new job, you’re in the right place.
Best of Both Worlds
I’ve often said what I love most about Minneapolis (and St. Paul) is the feeling of living in “the best of both worlds.” From nearly anywhere in the city, you’re no more than 15 minutes away from the heart of downtown, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by tall buildings, breathtaking murals and countless music venues.
But not far from the hustle and the bustle are lakes, rivers, trails and parks waiting to be explored. When in Minneapolis, you may find creative inspiration at a museum, concert, or play, but your creative genius also might spark up while you go for a walk, kayak across water, or rest your head against a sturdy tree trunk.
We live in one of the only cities in the nation that gives us concrete and country in equal abundance.
For these and so many other reasons, I am forever grateful to be part of the Minneapolis community. Not only is this a great place to live and work as a creative woman, it’s also a great place to meet other amazing, creative women, thanks to organizations like MPLS MadWomen.
Check out a few other organizations creating space for the local creative community:
Creative Mornings is a nationwide organization that believes everyone is creative. According to their site, “A creative life requires bravery and action, honesty and hard work. We are here to support you, celebrate you, and encourage you to make the things you love.” Creative Mornings-MSP seeks to strengthen our relationships and potential by sharing what we do with each other.
Whether looking for a more fulfilling career, getting back to work after a break, finding more meaningful ways to spend spare time or creating new friendships, The Passion Collective inspires women in the Twin Cities to be the best they can be.
The Twin Cities Collective is a collaborative, online community aiming to inspire and support like-minded creatives and entrepreneurs in Minneapolis and St. Paul.