Former news anchor Robyne Robinson is bringing art to the airport

Robyne Robinson goes to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport almost daily, but she's more than a jet-setter — she's an employee. The longtime news reporter and anchor is the first-ever arts and culture director for the airport. In her new role, Robinson is charged with raising the profile of local and regional artists and making a trip to the airport more satisfying for the more than 33 million people who pass through each year. This isn't Robinson's first foray into art. She sits on the boards of several arts organizations, founded a nonprofit arts collective, owned an art gallery and continues to design and sell her own jewelry.

We talked with Robinson about why art is popping up in airports across the country, Minnesota's image, and breaking new artistic ground.

Q: Are you introducing the first art installments to the airport?

A: Prior to me coming in, there were a lot of art and projects that were started and commissioned, but there hasn't been follow-up. So I'm here to make sure that things that were here before are finished, restored and repaired. It's really to take us into a truly 21st-century airport — one that's here for people to come to for an attraction.

Q: When did airports become art destinations?

A: Arts and airports really took off almost 15 years ago. All airports know that people are spending more and more time there, whether it's because of travel regulations or sky traffic. So you really should be able to provide them some sort of interactive ability. An airport shouldn't just be a way station for people to come and travel through without getting any sense of where they've been for two, three hours. We want them to stop and stay here.

Q: Is that a challenge in flyover land?

A: People travel through here and they don't really have a good understanding of who we are as Minnesotans. They see seven months of gray skies and snow and think that's who we are. My mission has really been to create an identity for Minnesota and the region for travelers who come through, but also to make this a destination for people in the community.

Q: So is MSP behind the curve?

A: Minneapolis is playing catch-up. MSP started many projects, but it's never had an arts and culture department until recently. It's been eight years in the making of folks really pushing hard to get an arts and culture component out here.

We don't have a large donor base, we don't have a large endowment base and we don't have a large budget. That means we have to work smarter than everybody. I think that's the beauty of being in the Twin Cities. It's a very DIY state. I'm using that plus technology to make a lot of things happen without spending a lot of dollars.

Q: What kind of art can we see in the airport today?

A: We're working with many artists … folks like Chris Faust, Steve Hemingway, Vance Gellert, Mary Bacon, Dick Cooter and Miko Simmons. We've installed 10-foot murals from Barbara Keith in the bathrooms. We have artwork from Jim Brandenburg.

We also have a new film screening room. People can stop when they're coming in or coming out and see film shorts that are all by Minnesota and regional filmmakers. We'll also host intimate performances and small concerts.

In addition, we're working on digital displays so we can display work from the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. When we use that technology, we're going to open up a larger world of people who are coming through here to experience art.

Q: Are you only responsible for MSP?

A: We also are a part of the regional airport plans, so we're supposed to oversee the Anoka, downtown St. Paul, Eden Prairie and Burnsville airports. Those are small steps because there's a lot left that still needs to be done here at T[erminal] 1 and T2.

Q: How would a traveler know when you're doing your job well?

A: I've been here for 10 months and in that time I've brought in a six-figure underwriting from Thomson Reuters. We've had our first national exhibition and hosted the preview for the international film festival out here.

It's developing the contacts with the folks at the top of Minnesota arts and culture, that's really a big part of what happens out here. We'll also be bringing new projects that haven't been done before.

Eric Best is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer.