Supporting the Work of Emerging Female Artists

A longtime patron and neighbor to the Walker, Cinda Collins has a deep-rooted connection to both the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Walker Art Center. Living directly across from the Sculpture Garden, she often finds herself wandering through the space, soaking in its energy. “I go explore, meditate, and find joy in nature and art,” says Collins.

Her proximity to the Walker — and her profound appreciation for its role in the community — has inspired years of meaningful support. “I’ve always been drawn to all forms of art,” she shares. “I took painting classes when I was younger and loved how expressive it could be. I have been drawn to contemporary art, dance, and music as a way of expression — they bring me joy.”

That joy, combined with a lifelong commitment to empowering women, recently inspired Collins to support programs led by emerging female artists at the Walker. Having spent over 35 years in finance — a field still largely dominated by men — Collins has witnessed firsthand the persistent disparities in how women are treated and the opportunities available to them. “That hasn’t changed much, even now,” she says.

It was in this experience that motivated her recent gift to uplift the voices of women in the arts, specifically in support of Kandis Williams’s powerful exhibition A Surface and Rosy Simas’s upcoming A:gajë:gwah dësa’nigöëwë:nye:’ (i hope it will stir your mind). Collins was particularly moved by how both artists work across mediums to explore complex themes such as race, nationalism, authority, and respect for all people. “I hope to make even a small impact,” says Collins, under-scoring her belief in the transformative power of art and the importance of elevating new voices.

Rosy Simas’s A:gajë:gwah dësa’nigöëwë:nye:’ (i hope it will stir your mind), a multi-part project commissioned by the Walker, unfolds as a deeply reflective body of interrelated work spanning the gallery, cinema, and a live performance on the McGuire Theatre stage in spring 2026. Rooted in her lineage, Simas draws inspiration from her Haudenosaunee ancestors’ enduring commitments to peacemaking, unity, harmony, and reverence for all living beings.

A special thank-you to Cinda Collins for generously supporting these profound and timely projects and for backing the Walker’s commitment to platform emerging female artists.