The following press release was written and provided by Patrick Kinney, Marketing Director for the UMD College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Duluth, Minn. (2/27/2026) - A new community development program spearheaded by researchers at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) — the Urban Excellence Institute — has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Knight Fund of Boreal Waters Community Foundation.
The grant will support conversations, book groups, gatherings and collaborative experiences meant to lay the groundwork for a deeper understanding of what makes a great city, and how that specifically might apply to the urban areas in the Twin Ports.
“Meaningful change begins with people coming together,” said Jennifer Webb, associate professor of art history and co-creator of the Institute.
The goals of the Urban Excellence Institute are to establish active learning and engagement opportunities for UMD students and to create connections between residents, the public sector, and business and property owners relating to urban experiences. Together, participants will develop a shared understanding and ongoing goals for urban places.
According to the team behind the grant, urban places are critical to our future, from building climate resilient communities to providing opportunities for concentrated economic gardening, nurturing and growing homegrown businesses and jobs.
“This work meets a real moment in Duluth,” said Shaun Floerke, president and CEO of Boreal Waters Community Foundation. “There’s energy, there’s momentum, and there’s a need to keep people connected and moving in the same direction. Through the Knight Fund at Boreal Waters Community Foundation, we’re proud to invest in an effort that brings partners together and turns learning into action.”
While events from the Urban Excellence Institute are forthcoming, several upcoming programs funded by the University of Minnesota Imagine Fund Special Events Program and UMD’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences — and also organized by Webb in collaboration with community members — are aligned with the institute’s goals. These events will include public talks by Ryan Smolar of Placemaking US and Lili Razi, an artist, facilitator and community developer based in Philadelphia. Community members are invited to join Smolar and Razi at the following events:
Administered by UMD’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS), the Imagine Fund Special Events Program supports activities that promote profound understanding of the human condition, excellence, innovation, collaboration, interdisciplinary dialogue and greater public engagement with the University.
According to Jennifer Brady, interim dean of CAHSS, this initiative represents the innovative and impactful work happening on campus. “The Urban Excellence Institute will reinforce UMD’s role as an engaged partner in the life of the region, while supporting students through hands-on, community-connected experiences.”