Zeitgeist Celebrates 15th Anniversary as Downtown Cultural Center

DULUTH, Minn. — When it comes to what’s in theaters or entertainment, no other place in town has quite as diverse a taste for media than the Zeitgeist. The arts and cultural center has been the place to get involved and enjoy the works of local artists, performers, and filmmakers. Saturday, the Zeitgeist is celebrating their annual Spirit of the Times Fundraiser in conjunction to their 15th Anniversary celebration.

“15 years ago, we were just opening a new movie theater and a new black box theater and the restaurant,” said Tony Cuneo, the executive director of Zeitgeist. “We just think art has an incredible power to like stitch together the fabric of community.”

What is the purpose of local creative work if it doesn’t receive an audience? Since their beginning, the Zeitgeist has been supporting and showing local creative work from gallery shows to films. All in hopes to further enrich the community of Duluth.

“Art also has this amazing ability to highlight issues and talk about community issues that need to be talked about,” said Cuneo. “Independent film, a lot of independent theater, and we’re always looking to find ways to empower community members to be able to tell their own stories.”

In the past the Zeitgeist has held community art projects, filmmaking and screenwriting courses, and theater classes. The Zeitgeist allows the arts community a place to breathe inspiring the next generation of creatives in the Northland.

“There are maybe more artists that people than people realize, writing their own plays, producing their own films, or community leaders wanting to tell their community stories in new ways. So you know, we are always looking for new ways to do that,” said Cuneo. “I’m super, super proud of all the work in the building and across the community that Zeitgeist has done. I hope we’re here for another 15 years, and we’re celebrating a 30 year anniversary.”