Altered Esthetics is a cumulative idea born from many inspirational sources. Human history as well as the current state of the arts community has created the need. The cumulative work of artists and volunteers has created the resource. Altered Esthetics provides a venue where artists can create "art for art's sake" - not because it will match somebody's couch. We provide are a gallery where community members can view and experience art that has an importance to them because it deals with a subject matter that interests them, art that is engaging, art that is thought provoking, and art can be understood. Altered Esthetics opened in April 2004 with "The Art of War," featuring the work of about 15 artists. With the help of over 100 volunteers in the past 4 years we've hosted over 35 more group exhibitions, bringing the work of over 800 local, national, and international artists to public view.

We are still entirely volunteer driven and currently have no paid staff. We have a fantastic board of 5 active members that help steer and encourage the organization and the artists we serve. Growing steadily, we moved to a new home at the Q'arma building in late 2006. We were awarded our nonprofit status in May of 2007. That same year, a community need led us to open our curatorial internship program. Since inception, our internship program has become an integrated part of Ae's activities and has provided students, artists and community members hands-on experience in the arts. In addition to our brick-and-mortar gallery, we also have an online web presence for our friends and artists not in the Minneapolis area.