Spotlight on Diane Dombrock - NAP Coordinator for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN

Diane Dombrock is the Program Director for the Airport Foundation MSP and the Venue Coordinator for our Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN venue. After learning about our program from fellow airport coordinator Guy Bruggeman, Diane reached out to the NAP in hopes of bringing the program to her airport.
 
Although Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is the newest airport to join the NAP, hosting their First Annual exhibition last November, they had a marvelous first show. Their exhibition featured 170 pieces of artwork from more than 100 participating artists. The artwork was not only beautifully, but professionally installed on the walls of Concourse C, a busy interchange between terminals. This space provided great exposer for the exhibition, with many travelers taking the time to stop and admire the artwork created by the employees of the airport.
 
Diane has tremendous enthusiasm for the arts and the National Arts Program®. We are very excited to see what the future holds for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and we are pleased to feature Diane as our July Spotlight.
 
When we asked Diane about her first experience with the NAP, here is what she had to say ...
 
Q. What makes the National Arts Program® different than any other art exhibit put on by the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport?
A. NAP exhibits appeal to a wide variety of people because the artwork displayed is so diverse. Everyone can find something they can relate to.
 
Q. Why do you feel that displaying employee artwork is important?
A. Displaying employees' artwork is a great way to acknowledge their artistic talents and support their achievements outside of work.
 
Q. How have employees and their families responded to the opportunity to display their artwork in the airport?
A. Employees and there family members responded enthusiastically to the first NAP exhibit at MSP and were pleased to learn that it is an annual exhibit. They are looking forward to participating again this year.
 
Q. Why do you think displaying artwork in an airport setting is so important?
A. Art exhibits not only enhance the airport environment and passenger experience but also provide opportunities to focus attention on regional artists and promote the arts to a broad audience.
 
Q. What is your favorite aspect of the National Arts Program®?
A. The National Arts Program® exhibit is truly for and of the community. At MSP, the exhibit brought people from different backgrounds and companies together to celebrate their shared interest in art.
 
Q. Do visitors to the building respond to the exhibit?
A. We received many great comments from the public about our first NAP exhibit. Following are a few quotes from travelers that say it all.
 
"Wonderful... Wonderful... Wonderful!! You amateur art show was the most entertaining thing I have seen anywhere --especially in an airport. What a pleasant way to spend time during a layover! Please do it again, and again, and again. It will make me always glad to travel through Minneapolis."
 
"Makes me happy to see that the MSP airport has an employee art exhibit."
 
"I looked at the employee art show twice. It was really a pleasure--so varied and some very creative work."
 
"Employee Art Exhibit: Excellent idea to utilize internal talent and give them a chance to "show another side." I love it!! Keep this as a tradition!"
 
Q. How has utilizing online registration made the process easier for you?
A. Using online registration saves me a lot of time since artists enter the necessary data themselves. It is also easy to track the registration progress and print pertinent reports.
 
Q. Can you tell us how art has had a positive impact on your personal life?
A. My dad and some of my aunts and uncles dabbled in the arts so I grew up with the understanding that art was for everyone. I learned to appreciate the joy and intrinsic value of the creative process and have benefited from the balance art has given me throughout my life.
 
Q. How did you get started in the art field or have you always been involved in the arts? Are you an artist yourself?
A. I have a Studio Arts degree with an emphasis on painting and drawing. Although my professional career has been varied, I have always been able to use my art background on many work related projects.
 
Venue:
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport