At the September 16, 2021, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $71,877 in Pandemic Recovery for Individuals grants.

Pandemic Recovery Support for Individuals provides funding for activities that help artists adapt their work to the changing environment, return to creative careers after leaving the workforce during the pandemic and to stay relevant and connected to audiences, participants, students, or communities.

The following artists were awarded:

• Elizabeth Bell, $3,000, to purchase a portable digital piano, iPad with a keyboard, and additional class materials such as egg shakers, bean bags, a percussion set, and scarves to be used in variety of teaching and performance.
• Chloe Briggs, $4,000, to supplement supplies and material for a new body and a Work of Art business skills for artists consultation with Springboard for the Arts.
• Amy Coppersmith, $5,000, for the upgrade of technology and software subscription to continue photography-based mythological creature book project.
• Matt Coppersmith, $5,000, for the purchase of a plasma table and supporting equipment to streamline the process of creating functional work for an ecommerce site.
• Sue Davies, $5,000, in support of research and development, supplies and materials for “Reflecting on Our Lakes” project paintings and display event at the Wright County Historical Center.
• Sarah Drake, $5,000, to support the writing, illustration and publishing of the third book in the series, “Nanou’s Promise”.
• Jill Dubbledee Kuhn, $5,000, to support illustration studio time for children’s picture book commission including the cost to attend Picture Book Writing and Illustrating by the Writing Barn online classes.
• Vatsalaa Jha, $3,700, in support of printing and framing work for art show admissions, software and website subscriptions for online presence, and OpenVoices class on Building Brand and Marketing.
• JD Jorgenson, $5,000, for resources and time to construct new plaster molds and develop a clay body from the Saint Cloud Quarry to broaden work in wild clays and the wood firing process.
• Antionette Lee, $5,000, in support of artistic development, inventory and rental space for No Limit Painting events.
• Dodie Logue, $5,000, in support of materials, supplies, and studio time to create new work as well as time to research new exhibition venues.
• Kelly Meyer, $1,220, for the purchase of portable exhibition equipment to accessibly display artwork for people with disabilities at fairs, art crawls, and other art centered events.
• Megan Jorgenson, $5,000 to support materials, studio time and promotion of a new body work for the wood kiln.
• Dan Mondloch, $5,000, to support materials and studio time for a Plein AIr Marathon during the month of November 2021 as well as promotion of the marathon on social media, in a daily email newsletter, and on the artist’s website.
• Desi Murphy, $5,000, for the purchase materials, shelving displays and sign for ceramics studio and gallery in St. Cloud, MN.
• Kyle Young, $4,957, to support the production Ancestral Melodies, a book of arrangements from traditional Finland songs for the guitar, piano, ukulele, and banjo players to be taught and shared.

The Central Minnesota Arts Board supports collaborative and innovative arts opportunities through partnerships and financial investments in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties as one of eleven Regional Arts Councils designated by the Minnesota State Arts Board working with community partners to increase access to the unique cultural assets of Minnesota.

Visit the website for more information www.centralmnartsboard.org or call the office at 320-968-4290 or toll free at 1-866-825-1471.