The Minnesota State Arts Board is conducting a census to find out just how many Minnesotans are “engaged in creative expression.”

Starting last week, the state agency has been encouraging people to fill out an online survey indicating whether they are an artist, work in the arts, or help facilitate or promote creative expression. The state legislature directed the State Arts Board and the state’s eleven regional arts councils to conduct the census to help measure the influence of arts in the state.

Brian Strub, communications & government relations director with the MN State Arts Board, explains the parameters this way:

We are asking participation from anyone state wide who, professionally or personally, sings, acts, dances, writes, draws, paints, sculpts, illustrates, photographs, films, knits, weaves, directs, plays an instrument, composes, shares stories, designs, or any other form of creative expression; and any agency, business, facility, or organization that produces, presents, or promotes creative expression. I’ve been telling people, “If you’re creative, be proud. Be counted.”

Strub says the MN Arts Count will continue through the end of April. You can participate in the survey here.