The Walker Art Center’s summer long events programme Open Field celebrates the act of gathering and sharing. With an open calendar, and field of grass with picnic tables and shade, the Walker invites people to share what they know and invite others to join.

Staff put on an excellent roster of exciting programming, and invite the general public to step up and propose their own activities – it’s literally open to anyone to fill in the blanks via a short proposal form and google calendar. A simple, yet totally transparent embodiment of the ‘open’ ethos. Events include tai chi, bull whip training, financial advice giving, color coded craft action, superhero costume & foam sword making, book club, yarn bombing, chess… you get the picture.

As a result, the Walker’s back yard is a great compliment to the exhibitions inside – it’s constantly buzzing with creative activity and helps make the museum a place to go where people can both consume and generate rich creativity.

Open Field is open from June – September 2011, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. And if you miss it this year, make sure you come back for 2012.

The central activity hub for Open Field, just outside the entrance to the museum.

Choose your activity table in the shade of patio trees.

Choose wisely, so many tempting options!

Superhero sword fighting out on the field.