Minneapolis American Indian Center Signage, Wayfinding, & Custom Graphic Walls

Client Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC)

Location Minneapolis, MN

Architects Full Circle Architecture and Cuningham

Owner’s Rep Milestone Real Estate Partners, LLC

Contractor Loeffler

Fabricators Viera and Archetype

Scope Design-build

The Minneapolis American Indian Center (MAIC), one of the oldest urban Native centers in the country, has been a cornerstone for Minnesota’s Indigenous communities since 1975. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Center underwent a major transformation, including a 20,000-square-foot expansion designed to better serve a vibrant and diverse community representing more than 13 tribes.

Our team was honored to lead the design of a culturally respectful signage and wayfinding system that reflects Native traditions while providing clear and accessible navigation. Through close collaboration with MAIC leadership and the architectural team, we immersed ourselves in the Center’s history, mission, and cultural programs to ensure the design felt authentic and meaningful.

The final system includes custom graphic walls featuring curated photography and visual storytelling elements inspired by traditional loom beadwork. We also helped reinterpret and preserve legacy murals that hold deep historical significance. Thanks to a generous partnership with 3M’s Community Relations (3Mgives), over 2,000 square feet of vinyl graphics were donated, including production and installation—making this vision possible within the nonprofit’s budget.

The resulting cohesive signage and graphic experience honors the community’s heritage while welcoming future generations of visitors, learners, and leaders.