The CAT Brings World-Class Art to the Suburbs

If you didn’t know what it was, it would be easy to mistake Shoreview’s Cafesjian Art Trust Museum (the CAT) for a high-end office building. But behind the geometric patterns of the exterior walls, the building is home not to cubicles and computer screens but to ambitious exhibitions of contemporary art with several new exhibitions each year. It’s a hidden gem that the museum’s leaders hope to make more visible in the years to come.

Established in 2022 by the family of Gerard Cafesjian, a prominent St. Paul businessman and art collector, the CAT was conceived as a gift to the city, and a resource meant to give suburban residents a world class museum in their own backyard.

“We’re a small museum, and we really lean into that as an asset,” said Laura Steefel-Moore, the CAT’s Director of Learning and Community Engagement. “We provide intimate, bite-size museum experiences for people in a way that feels accessible and not overwhelming.”

The CAT has always been free to visit, though in its early years, it was open by appointment only, and Steefel-Moore said those appointments sold out quickly. The museum still offers guided tours, but it is also open for drop-in visits on Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays. The museum is working to reach visitors across the age spectrum. Steefel-Moore has started a program for babies and offers programs for families of all ages, school tours for students, and a Teen Council that works with the museum throughout the school year. The museum also offers an exciting range of programs for adult audiences, including artist talks, curator-led tours, and concerts, and they have special programs for people with dementia and their care partners.

Increasing awareness of everything the CAT has to offer is the museum’s next big priority. The goal is to ensure the CAT is included in the same conversations as larger, urban institutions like the Walker Art Center, the Weisman Art Museum, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The foundation is there, as is the commitment to serving the community. Now Steefel-Moore just wants to grow awareness.

“Even if they’re familiar with the museum, a lot of people might not realize the full scope of what we have to offer,” said Steefel-Moore. “Not only do we have programs for people at every stage of life, but we have a stellar, dynamic slate of original exhibitions and a fascinating art collection, meaning we are a resource for the community in so many ways. Having a world class art museum this close to home can be a life-changing experience.”

To learn more about projects in Shoreview, contact the city of Shoreview today.