Anne Makepeace and Larry Mack stand beside Minnesota’s Smallest Museum. The newly constructed display case in front of The Grand Center for the Arts and Culture will be used for smaller exhibits.

NEW ULM — The Grand Center of Arts is opening Minnesota’s Smallest Museum — a small idea with big potential.

The smallest museum is located on downtown Minnesota Street in front of The Grand. Physically, this museum is a firebox the size of a display case. The idea is this case will feature a rotating collection of items.

The idea for the smallest museum came from The smallest museum in St. Paul (SMSP). The St. Paul has displayed everything from souvenir plates to Lego mosaics.

Grand Director Anne Makepeace said their small museum is actually smaller than the St. Paul version, meaning it might be the smallest museum in Minnesota.

The actual cabinet display was created through the efforts of volunteers Kit Kildahl and Larry Mack. Mack said it was a relatively simple assembly. He provided the base for the museum and helped mount the cabinet.

The smallest museum is water-proof with shatter resistant glass. It should be able to hold up to Minnesota’s weather.

The mallest museum will feature six exhibits each year. Individuals or groups are invited to apply to curate the micro-museum in two-month increments.

Makepeace said exhibits in the museum do not have to be from artists. She said The Grand would consider exhibits from historians or unique collections. If selected, exhibitors will receive a $50 stipend to present a mini-gallery.

Since the museum is outside, people may view the exhibit walking by on the street and limit exposure to the coronavirus.

The smallest museum was not originally intended for the era of COVID-19. Makepeace said this project has been in the works before the virus was a concern, but now it is the only exhibit open at The Grand. The 4 Pillars Gallery had to close and the printing press in The Grand’s cellar was alsoclosed.

There had been a plan to celebrate the one year anniversary of the cellar press, but the virus made that impossible. Instead, The Grand will honor it by making it the subject of the first exhibit in the smallest museum. Items and artifacts associated with printing will be placed in the museum starting 5 p.m. Friday, May 1.