mission
We center Black, Brown, Queer & Trans healing through creative expression.
vision
We envision a just future rooted in culture & community where we share resources, knowledge, stories and we’re all celebrated for being authentically, unapologetically who we are and free from oppressive systems.
values
a human-first culture of care
equal access to opportunity
accountability + transparency
our story
Dark Muse Performing Arts is a grassroots community arts organization founded by Vanessa Brooke Agnes when the Twin Cities were burning following the murder of George Floyd. During the uprising, Vanessa gathered donations from her friends and family to purchase food for local families, supplies and aid for protestors. Called to further action, she organized a protest performance to honor the life of George Floyd and express/heal in community. The Uprising Vol. I drew over 300 attendees to a Minneapolis parking lot to bear witness, chant and engage in our first radical care experience. We collected donations to funnel back into local Black-owned businesses.
In the Fall of 2020, we created a 90-minute cyber cabaret called Phoenix Project that aired live on YouTube and raised additional funds for our Twin Cities community. For Black History Month in February 2021, we partnered with the Guthrie Theater and SPNN to produce The Uprising Vol. II: Black HERstory, highlighting the brilliance, contributions and resilience of Black women. We’ve since held a board retreat, community dreaming session, and our most recent endeavor, Drag Tea. This high tea party meets drag show will soon be a recurring series featuring local talent.
Our current focus as an organization is to sustainably build a solid foundation of capacity by securing funding for our programming and growing our board membership with driven volunteers. As we celebrate our 4th birthday this year, it is only the beginning for us.
our people
Dark Muse Board of Directors at the Phoenix Project Cast Viewing Party in August 2020. From left to right: Rachel Dupree (Board Treasurer), Vanessa Brooke Agnes (Board President), Michael Salazar (Board Secretary), Hannah Novillo Erickson (Board Vice President)
meet our founder
Vanessa Brooke Agnes is a Black, queer dreamer and multidisciplinary artist based in Minneapolis, MN.
A writer, director, performer, producer, teaching artist and graphic designer, Vanessa thrives creating in many lanes and is praised for her versatility. She has worked with respected institutions such as the Guthrie, Hennepin Theatre Trust, Artistry Theater, Playwrights Center, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Lyric Arts, Lakeshore Players among others. After graduating with honors from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with dual degrees in Theater Arts and Communication Studies, she founded Dark Muse Performing Arts in 2020; a space for BIPOC & queer communities to heal through creative expression. You can reach Vanessa directly at darkmusearts@gmail.com or on Instagram @vanessabrookeagnes
Check back soon for an updated personal website including a portfolio of work samples and professional/directing/performance resumes.