Liberal arts are on a long decline. Some Minnesota schools are finding new ways to boost them.

"In the public's perception, there is a real question around, 'What's the value of the liberal arts?'" Amid the long-term decline in liberal arts majors, though, officials are finding innovative ways to ensure the liberal arts remain relevant and integrated into students' experiences. UMD's School of Fine Arts merged with the College of Liberal Arts at the U's Twin Cities campus in 2020. The "liberal arts" can often mean something different at liberal arts colleges, which focus on providing a broad, general education rather than career preparation alone. Across the state, administrators and professors said they're finding new ways to ensure the liberal arts have staying power and remain relevant.