Philip McKenzie is Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce this year’s recipient for the Arts Advocate of the Year Award is Philip McKenzie of Thief River Falls. McKenzie received the award at a program in Thief River Falls on April 27.

Originally from Crookston, McKenzie is a musician and is active in promoting the arts in our region and statewide. He is the Chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board, an adjunct oboe faculty at both UND and NDSU, and hosts a weekly radio show – Northern Classics on Pioneer 90.1 radio -- that brings classical music to our region. He was an executive director of the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, played in the Virginia Symphony, has served on the board of Thief River Falls Community Theater, Greater Grand Forks Sympathy, and Rotary. He has conducted many musicals in Thief River Falls over the years. Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and includes arts from all disciplines.

McKenzie has a Master of Management degree from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University; a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University; and a Bachelor of Arts in music from University of North Dakota.

McKenzie realized he wanted to be a professional musician when, during his sophomore year in high school, he heard the Minnesota Orchestra play in the Crookston gymnasium as part of a statewide tour funded by a State of Minnesota grant. Exposure to the arts at that one event changed the course of his life. McKenzie feels a strong connection to music and a camaraderie among musicians. He described the visceral “soul filling” experience he feels when listening.

According to Thief River Falls Area Theater Director Jane Anderson, “Phil is a masterful musician unlike any I’ve worked with. Although he is infinitely talented, he lacks the attitude and ego that many with his degree of talent possesses. He works well with amateurs and is a joy to be around. We are very fortunate to have Phil in our region.”

Minnesota State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens said, “This is such a fitting honor given Phil’s vast talents, experiences, and contributions to the arts in Minnesota. He’s a Renaissance person — a professional musician, music educator, arts administrator, arts board member and volunteer. He is a tireless champion for the arts, a tremendous advocate, and a leader. Phil was first appointed to serve on the Minnesota State Arts Board by then-Governor Mark Dayton and reappointed to a second term by Governor Tim Walz. In four short years he has demonstrated strong statewide leadership and was elected chair of the board in July 2021, a post he still holds. Congratulations, Phil, on this well-deserved award!”

Asked about the impact of the arts on individuals or society, Phil explained, “The arts act as a glue for our culture. They are almost exclusively a uniter than a divider. They do more to unite us than anything else.” Phil also shared that “I couldn’t be more proud to be a Minnesotan where we per capita provide more to the arts than any other state. We impact Minnesotans in every geographic corner of the state.”

McKenzie had this advice for aspiring artists, “Don’t forget why you became an artist. Keep the love and passion for it even when you need to earn a living while establishing yourself. Don’t let paying the bills get in the way of finding your pathway to being an artist.”

Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is given each year to recognize arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of volunteerism in the arts. Often our arts advocates are also artists. “Of the Year” award winners were nominated by area residents. This award comes with a cash award of $500. Funding for the Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.