Minnesota Humanities Center

We Are Water MN

Bridging scientific knowledges and human relationships with water

We Are Water MN deepens connections between the humanities and water through a network of partnerships, a traveling exhibit, and public events. We Are Water MN helps communities, organizations, and individuals make better, more collaborative, and more relevant choices about water.

Contact Us

Trygve Throntveit

Follow Us

“We Are Water MN” Host Community Application

“We Are Water MN” builds networks of people who protect and affect water, hosts a traveling exhibit that shares messages about water in Minnesota, and designs public programming that builds relationships with and responsibilities to water.

Applications to host We Are Water MN during the 2026 tour are now open! Apply by June 27, 2025.

Learn More

Traveling Exhibit

The traveling exhibit examines water issues statewide and in local communities through personal stories, histories, and scientific information. It strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water, exposes visitors to new perspectives, and increases participation in water stewardship activities.

2025 “We Are Water MN” Host Communities

March 15–April 21, 2025
Ortonville

April 24–June 16, 2025
Ely

June 19–August 11, 2025
Minneapolis

August 14–October 6, 2025
Henderson

October 9–December 1, 2025
Bloomington

More details coming soon!

Public Events

While the exhibit is in town, host communities and their partners design public events that connect people both to water and each other. The state partners also co-design public events with host communities, including Nibi Walks, Water Bars, facilitated conversations, and story-sharing events.

Photo by Nik Linde

State and Local Partnerships

Our partnership network uses the humanities to spark water change for Minnesota and is made up of eight state partners—the Minnesota Humanities Center, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Historical Society, Board of Water and Soil Resources, University of Minnesota Extension, and Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources—and local host communities who build local networks to connect people to water in Minnesota. By creating relationships around water, we expand local and state networks that can work toward a shared vision on this and future projects.

Story Collection

Water stories allow visitors to share personal experiences while learning about others’ relationships with water. These stories capture a wide range of experiences with water—both the everyday and the deeply personal. Used as exhibit content, in and with public events, and as part of a permanent collection, these stories express Minnesotans’ many relationships with water.

Watershed Podcast

The Watershed is a podcast exploring stories about water and people from communities throughout Minnesota. The Watershed is produced by We Are Water MN, a partnership of the Minnesota Humanities Center, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Historical Society, University of Minnesota Extension, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and Minnesota Departments of Health, Agriculture, and Natural Resources with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Educator Resources

We Are Water MN has created resources for volunteers, staff, and educators to help others appreciate and enjoy We Are Water MN. They include reflection questions, activities that expand upon exhibit content, conversation starters, ideas for group visits, and extension lessons.

Minnesota's Legacy - Track the Progress
Logo for Minnesota State Agencies: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Department of Health, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture.
Minnesota Historical Society
University of Minnesota Extension