The 2025 Meander Upper Minnesota River Art Crawl once again demonstrated its positive impact across western Minnesota, drawing visitors from near and far to celebrate art, community, and creativity. Reports from 40 participating artists show that a total of $108,188 in art sales were made during the three-day event held October 3–5.
The Meander continues to serve as a strong economic driver for the region, benefiting artists, small businesses, and communities throughout the Upper Minnesota River Valley, which includes Big Stone, Swift, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, and Yellow Medicine Counties.
Participating artists reported an average of $2,705 in art sales during the weekend. Visitors also contributed significantly to the local economy, spending an average of $56 on food and gas, $26 on shopping other than art, and $25 on lodging. With an average of 372 customers per artist and 2.7 people per travel party, these expenditures represent a substantial flow of dollars into local shops, restaurants, and services.
Survey data collected from attendees highlights the continued reach and appeal of the event. Twenty-four percent of visitors attended the Meander for the first time, and 84 percent plan to attend again next year. Thirteen percent of attendees traveled from out of state—representing ten different states—while nearly half came from outside the immediate five-county area.
Overall satisfaction with the event remains strong, with 83 percent of visitors rating the quality of the art as excellent and 86 percent rating their overall Meander experience as excellent.
The Meander continues to highlight the artists, landscapes, and welcoming communities of the Upper Minnesota River Valley, celebrating both the cultural richness and economic vitality of western Minnesota.
For more information on the Meander, call 1-866-866-5432 or visit www.artsmeander.com.