Minnesota 2000 Documentary Photography Project

The Minnesota 2000 project ran from 1997-1999, documenting through photographs the "state of the state" at the end of the twentieth century. Members of the local photography community first began planning the project in 1994. The project solicited proposals and from the applicants 12 photographers were selected by jury. The project marks the first time the Minnesota Historical Society commisioned photographs for its permanent collection.

120 photographs, all black and white, from the Minnesota 2000 Documentary Photography Project were selected and used in an exhibit that resulted from the project. It opened in January, 2000 and ran until June 18, 2000. 368 photographs from the Minnesota 2000 Documentary Photography project were selected and added to the Minnesota Historical Society's fine art photograph collection.

The goal of the Minnesota 2000 Documentary Photography Project was to create a benchmark for measuring future change by focusing on ordinary aspects of life in Minnesota and the changes in Minnesota landscape, towns, and streets.