About Open Book

Front of the Open Book building from Washington Ave

Open Book is a center for reading, writing, and book arts.

Our Mission:

Open Book is a community gathering place dedicated to diverse and dynamic creativity, conversation, and collaboration rooted in the literary and book arts.

The Story of Open Book

From the first meeting of the founding tenants, to the artful renovation of contiguous warehouse buildings, to the programs offered today, Open Book has come a long way. Brought together by a relentless commitment to the literary arts community, and the need for a sustainable home, The Loft Literary Center, Milkweed Editions, and Minnesota Center for Book Arts overcame strategic and financial challenges to open the doors in 2000. Find out how Open Book helped revitalize a neighborhood and continues to ignite the imagination of all who visit.

HISTORY (PDF)

Staff

  • Kellan Christopher, Executive Director
    admin@openbookmn.org

  • Wini Froelich, Events & Bookings Coordinator
    rentals@openbookmn.org

  • Building Ambassadors: Connor Epinette (Lead), Brenda Khothsombath , Paul Van Dyke, Kaija Tan, Jennie Johnson, Saul Korzenecki

    612-244-7190 Ambassador on-duty phone (Most mornings/evenings & weekends)
    ambassador@openbookmn.org

  • GENERAL OPEN BOOK INFORMATION: (612) 215-2650

Board of Directors

  • Barbara Crosby, Chair

  • Mark Evenson, Vice-Chair

  • Shannon Fitzgerald, Treasurer

  • Hema Viswanathan, Secretary

  • Arleta Little, The Loft Artistic & Executive Director

  • Daniel Slager, Milkweed Editions Publisher & CEO

  • Elysa Voshell, MN Center for Book Arts Executive Director

  • Melinda Ward

  • Sheila Glancy Letscher

  • Vanessa Tennyson

  • Alyssa Carlson

  • Jay Cowles, Board Director Emeritus

  • Chris LaVictoire Mahai, Board Director Emeritus

  • Gail See, Board Director Emeritus (in memoriam)

VALUES of Open Book 

  • Fosters belonging for diverse cultural communities

  • Recognizes and contributes to the power of narrative to forge equitable and just communities

  • Celebrates the importance of books, ideas, and art in our collective life experience

  • Believes in the importance of a physical space for the Twin Cities book and literary community to come together

  • Recognizes the Dakota land upon which we are located and provides free meeting space for Native convenings

  • Invites community members to share our space through informal and formal events and gatherings

  • Works to provide responsible fiscal oversight for the building’s operation

  • Acknowledges the three partner organizations- the Loft Literary Center, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and Milkweed Editions- as the heart of the organization and the reason that this facility came into being and exists today

  • Honors the historical elements of the building and maintains contemporary and accessible features allowing everyone to participate

  • Welcomes partnership and collaboration among those in the building and from the broader community

And to that end, Open Book has adopted a Code of Conduct Policy for the facility. Open Book including its buildings, sidewalks, and parking areas is private property, while at the same time, the organization aspires to be a place where visitors can gather, spend time, relax, and recharge in public areas without the need to be a paying or an active consumer of one of the tenant organizations. We respect the right of people to gather at Open Book free from harm and harassment.

The policy can be downloaded in its entirety HERE. It was adopted by the Open Book Board of Directors November 2023