We’re not just building a building; we’re building a movement.
The YES! House is a prototype of imagination; an experiment of transformation and an example of what is possible when artists and neighbors roll up their sleeves to shape a place together. It’s a creative economic design concept, a celebration of vibrant small-town communities, and an investment in rural futures! Through shared effort, curiosity, and care, The YES! House has grown into a living, breathing space for creativity and connection.
The Process
The initial programming and design of the space were developed through a year-long (and ongoing!) Artist-Led Design Build process starting in 2019. In partnership with the architects and artists of Homeboat Collective, we gathered input from the local community about the types of programming and facilities that would be most beneficial to the residents. We also mapped existing community assets to avoid duplication of resources and services, as our goal is to amplify and complement the incredible work of artists and community members already thriving in the region.
With the support of the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership and MO/EN Design Practice, we were able to integrate many of the community suggestions into architectural designs and a phased build schedule for the main floor public space, the basement workshop zone, and the residential apartments above. Our architecture team held multiple public design share-back sessions where community members could offer feedback on the plans before they were solidified.
In addition to Homeboat Collective and the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, we have been so lucky to work with these amazing folks along the way: Custom Ag Services in Montevideo, MN; Duininck Concrete in Willmar, MN; Ethan Weber Construction in Granite Falls, MN; Granite Falls Construction in Granite Falls, MN; Gustaf's Masonry in Slayton, MN; Heartland Electric in Montevideo, MN; Historic Design Consulting in Vadnais Heights, MN; Jack Bunting Construction in Aitkin, MN; Jeff Johnson Excavating in Clara City, MN; LA Construction & Design in Granite Falls, MN; MO/EN Design Practice in Austin, MN; Nationwide Glass in Willmar, MN; Olsen Plumbing & Heating in Montevideo, MN; The Sawmill Lumber Yard in Granite Falls, MN; Tostenson, Inc in Montevideo, MN… and countless community volunteers!
What emerged was a vibrant multi-purpose space for dreaming, learning, sharing, creating, and connecting; a space that can continue to adapt and grow. The YES! House is an evolving example of how artist-led processes can inform not just programming, but the very bones of a space—inviting people in, making room for possibility, and holding space for what comes next.
Artist Jack Forinash brightening up the space in the early days of renovation.
Architect Miranda Moen of MO/EN Design Practice LLC at the community design charrette.
The Say YES! Creative Capital Campaign
The Say YES! Creative Capital Campaign began in 2018 with preliminary research and infrastructure repair, then entered its quiet phase in earnest in 2019. We intended to publicly launch this campaign in the spring of 2020—on the cusp of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic—and made the difficult decision to postpone amidst uncertainty. We continued moving forward with building infrastructure work and construction projects made possible by restricted grants. The Campaign was officially launched publicly in February 2022. In 2024, our final goal for The Say YES! Creative Capital Campaign was increased to $1,020,000 to account for inflation and additional repair costs since the original budget was set in early 2020. James Arentson from Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership commented, “As the architect working with DoPT, I have been so impressed by their dedication to The YES! House. They work hard to balance complex event and construction schedules and have maintained a visionary yet practical approach to the work.” In December 2024, we were honored to officially announce that Say YES! Capital Campaign was complete!
Together, we are building it.
The Say YES! Capital Campaign was made possible by the generous support from individuals, businesses, and foundations across the country. Over half of the contributions (54%) came from or were directed by Southwest Minnesota, and the remainder came from farther afield, a balance that accurately aligns with DoPT’s mission and their commitment to urban-rural solidarity and being good stewards and neighbors near and far. DoPT acknowledges that there are many, many contributors to the completion of the Say YES! Capital Campaign, and would like to give a special thanks to all the donors, artists, volunteers, contractors, mentors, program officers, local businesses, and event attendees who have made this big dream possible. This is only the beginning.
726 Prentice Street
726 Prentice Street and neighbors
In early 2018, the building at 726 Prentice Street, Granite Falls, MN, now known as The YES! House, was donated to the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) by a local family. The Granite Area Arts Council (GAAC) operated as the fiscal sponsor in the transition of the building title prior to DoPT receiving 501(c)(3) status. While DoPT was officially incorporated in 2018, the organization’s work is built on a deep foundation of rural arts practice and a long relationship between our Founding Executive Director and Southwestern Minnesota communities, including Granite Falls. After acquiring the building, DoPT continued to design, prototype, and implement many of our programs in and with the Southwestern Minnesota region because it is where the foundation of the organization emerged.
In the past, we have referred to this building as being "vacant" prior to our acceptance of ownership. We have come to realize that the word "vacant" can be harmful as it further perpetuates negative narratives of deficit and decline in rural areas. It also does not accurately articulate the fact that this building was wanted by local community members, and it had alternative possibilities to the one it serves today. With that understanding, we do not see ourselves as owners of this donated building, but as stewards of a space for community ideas to thrive.
We recognize that our organization has inherent privileges with a white Executive Director and is part of a deeply flawed, sexist, ableist, and racist nonprofit system. We have benefited, and continue to benefit, from that system in our access to resources and relationships. In the fall of 2022, DoPT launched The YES! House Futures (YHF) Committee to guide the future operations and stewardship of The YES! House through a community-led process. We also implemented a series of community connectivity actions in the Granite Falls area, which you can read about here. These steps led to the formation of The YES! House Advisory Council, as well as many other ongoing conversations, commitments, and intentions. Our goal as stewards is to be transparent and inclusive in the transformation and stewardship of this building, and to be generous neighbors, learning with community and working to give back to community. This is a work in progress, and we invite you to follow along on the journey.