Mission

The Lakes Area Music Festival connects the nation's best musicians and audiences through excellent classical music and inspiring education.

This mission is carried out with three fundamental core values:

EXCELLENCE. Touching the hearts, minds, and souls of audiences through the intrinsic quality that defines master artists.

RADICAL HOSPITALITY. Eliminating economic, geographic, and demographic barriers that often make classical music inaccessible, while bringing artists into central Minnesota to foster inclusive dialogue and lasting relationships.

SUSTAINABILITY. Ensuring that the Lakes Area Music Festival will be a long-term catalyst for positive change within our greater community.

What We Do

Over three weeks each August, 150 all-star musicians from the nation's top orchestra and opera companies converge in central Minnesota to collaborate on chamber music, symphony orchestra, opera, and ballet performances. Each performance is offered without tickets or set fees in order to make the Arts accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.

In addition, year round concert, education, and outreach activities connect our musicians with our community in unique ways. We transform our region through unique cultural excellence and economic development as a result of arts tourism.