The Loring Collective – Community By and For LGBTQ+ Artists

Being an artist can be a lonely path, full of late nights, early mornings, or just secluded days consumed by your craft. The Loring Collective, however, is built on the belief that being an artist does not preclude being part of a vibrant community. “[LGBTQ+ people] have a tendency to hunker down and do everything ourselves because of our identities,” says Tony Burton, co-founder and current president of the Loring Collective. “But there’s strength in numbers.”

The need for an organization like the Loring Collective here in the Twin Cities has been proved by its rapid growth. I chatted with Burton about the origin, mission, dreams and goals of the collective. Burton’s enthusiasm for collaborating with new creatives was the incessant undercurrent of our conversation. If any aspect of the Loring Collective speaks to you, know that its organizers want to hear from you.

The Loring Collective emerged when a group of queer, college-aged musicians realized that not all of the venues where they attended basement shows were friendly to folks with marginalized identities. “Most of the venues in [our area] were great for queer creatives but there were a few that were really sexist, racist, and homophobic,” explains Burton, “We wanted to help make sure that the venues these artists are performing at were safe for them.”

What began as an effort to communicate safe spaces to other musicians soon blossomed into an active board that also sought to connect and uplift queer artists. “There was a board of five or six people that founded it together…but for the first two or three years Melissa (Riepe) and I were the primary people,” says Burton. “[Loring Collective] won a few grants and a few competitions at the U and it evolved from there. It went from protecting queer creatives to empowering them. And it went from just music to visual and performing art as well.”

In 2021 Loring Collective opened the Haus of Loring, where they now host all of their events. The space is small (right around 22 by 26 feet) but versatile. “Of course we have dreams of amazing, huge events, but we’re happy with our little boiler room aesthetics,” says Burton. “It’s a flexible space to showcase queer creativity.” Loring Collective has already hosted many events at Loring Haus, ranging from fashion shows, Dungeons and Dragons sessions, music performances, and the Loring Awards.

2023 was a landmark year for the Loring Awards. It was the first year that the awards were held in person. There was a record-setting 15,000 votes cast for the winners. It was also the first year that every category was won by a different person and every 2023 winner was a first time Loring Award recipient.

The Loring Awards are a key component of the Loring Collective. “Our only requirement is that [nominees] are creatives – we like the term ‘creative’ because it can manifest in so many ways,” says Burton. “For example, my favorite award that we give is our Creative Activist of the Year Award. One of our nominees this year was this queer historian who crochets in her viral videos.”

Burton pauses. “It takes a lot of creativity to be an activist,” he says, “Nadi McGill – they are the Gully Boys drummer – won in 2020. They used their social media during the unrest following George Floyd’s murder to get resources to the communities that didn’t have grocery stores or things they needed to live.”

“We are here because there is so much queer talent that goes unnoticed,” says Burton. “You don’t have to go to Top 40 for music. You don’t have to go to a really expensive exhibit for art… You don’t have to go to the coast, to Chicago, New York, or San Francisco. We have great art here.”

Ultimately, this is the purpose of the awards. The information sharing that happens through the nomination process is second to none and it gives the Loring Collective incredible knowledge about queer artists in the community, which the collective is not shy about sharing. “We have great contacts – drag artists, singers, full out bands, trans pottery companies,” says Burton. “If you are looking to feature queer talent, we have great artists for you.”

Burton emphasizes that the roster of Loring Collective artists can never get too long. Loring Collective exists so it is easier to find queer creatives to hire, but also so queer creative can find each other and collaborate. “I love the word ‘hub’,” says Burton. “If you’re nominated, you’re part of the hub. We consider all nominees a part of the collective.”

The Loring Collective was granted 501c3 status in 2023 and has solidified its mission to empower and protect queer artists in Minnesota in addition to building a directory of queer artistic talent here and providing opportunities for artists to network and collaborate.

Getting involved with the Loring Collective is easy whether you are an artist or not. The organization is young and its board still reflects that, although that is something they are hoping to change. “We’re seeking to grow and could use more queer elders on our board…we hope that will also effect the people we work with,” says Burton. “People who have expertise in fundraising? Yes! Queer creative in their 60s? Hell yes!” The current board is all queer, but that is not necessarily a prerequisite – allies who can help Loring Collective grow might also be a good fit for the board.

 “We are dependent on donations,” Burton says, almost embarrassed that money is an aspect of the project in which he believes so strongly. “GiveMN is our main platform,” says Burton. “We are entirely volunteer run. All costs are operational and go to our mission.”

The Loring Collective is a valuable resource for the LGBTQ+ and arts community. Having a safe space for artists to meet each other, deepen their craft, find inspiration, and even find work is vital. Nominate your favorite artists for the Loring Awards, network with other creatives, consider joining the board or making a donation, and hire community members for creative projects whenever you are able.

“This has been the joy of my life,” says Burton, reminding me once more to encourage queer creatives to check out the Loring Collective.

And so I will.

Because it might be the joy of your life, too.

www.loringcollective.com