At the April 10, 2024, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $218,421 in support of twenty-nine regional arts projects. Applications are scored by a panel of artists, nonprofit administrators, and members of other community groups. Panel scores are provided to the Board of Directors and used­­­ in determining how to allocate funds. Criteria used in evaluating applications include, equity & sustainability, artistic merit & quality, demonstrated need, outcomes & evaluation, and ability to complete the proposal.

Organizations, schools, local government, and community groups may apply for up to $8,000 in support of arts-focused events. Funding for these CMAB Grants is provided through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the state’s general fund, and its Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund created by the Voters of Minnesota

The following were awarded:

1. 1. Art in Motion on the Lake Wobegon Trail, $4,000, to support “Art on the Roll” a free, all ages, drop in community art class or activity offered Saturday mornings June 2024 through September 2024 at Art in Motion in Holdingford, MN.
2. 2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $8,000, to support Youth Arts Initiative programming in visual arts, dance, fashion and sewing that will culminate with in a 2024 Winter Showcase December 18, 2024 exhibit and reception in Saint Cloud, MN.
3. 3. Buffalo Community Theater, $8,000, to support the 2024 summer production of the Lerner & Loewe classic, “My Fair Lady” that includes an apprentice program for technical positions in Buffalo, MN.
4. 4. Buffalo Community Orchestra, $6,550, for “BCO 30 Years! – REWIND” opening concert to celebrate the 30th Anniversary Season held in Fall of 2024 in Buffalo, MN.
5. 5. Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, $8,000, for the performance of “Music of the World: Pomp & Exhibitions” in-person and live-stream concert in November 2024 in Sartell, MN
6. 6. Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $8,000, to support two guest ensemble concerts and community outreach activities in the fall 2024 in Saint Cloud, MN.
7. 7. City of Annandale, $7,300, Annandale, to support artist Lili Lennox in the creation of “Heart of the Lakes” public art mural to be installed in August 2024 in downtown Annandale, MN.
8. 8. Dassel-Cokato Music Boosters, $4,500, in support of a free Community concert and hands-on workshop held in Spring 2025 where attendees can learn more about percussion music, rhythms, movement and play the variety of different instruments in Cokato, MN .
9. 9. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $8,000, to produce “Disney Winnie the Pooh KIDS” for young audiences featuring an all youth cast and directed and designed by high school students under the mentorship of theatre professionals.
10. 10. Great Northern Theatre Company, $8,000, for the performance of The Little Mermaid and to support The Little Mermaid Jr. Youth Theatre Camps in summer 2024 in Cold Spring, MN.
11. 11. Hiddo Soor, $8,000, in support of live performances, music, dance and literature for the Somali Culture Festival held in August 2024 in Saint Cloud, MN.
12. 12. Independent Music Collaboration of Central MN, $8,000, in support of Project 37’s Showcase Series 2024 that provides younger bands and artists safe opportunities to perform alongside experienced musicians in well-structured shows at locations around Saint Cloud, MN and surrounding areas.
13. 13. Lyricality, $8,000,  to support “Folk Connecting Folks Festival: Where We Come From” in partnership with Great River Regional Library held September 28, 2024, in Saint Cloud, MN
14. 14. Maine Prairie Studio, $7,974, in support of a Ceramic Arts Community Workshop Series and demonstrations at Maine Prairie Studio in Kimball, MN.
15. 15. Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association, $8,000, to support the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival featuring national, regional and local Artists held August 6–11, 2024, in Richmond, MN.
16. 16. MontiArts, $8,000, for “Arts In The Parks” outreach project aimed at providing accessible art opportunities through 5 pop-up arts activities/events in neighborhood parks during summer 2024 in Monticello, MN.
17. 17. Paramount Center for the Arts, $8,000, to support an arts field trip for St. Cloud area students to see Bill Blagg Science of Magic performance in March 2025 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Saint Cloud, MN.
18. 18. Rum River Art Center, $8,000, for expanding the Senior Art-Reach program series of outreach classes for older adults ages 55+ held from June 2024 – March 2025 at Elk River Senior Center in Elk River, MN. and the St. Michael Library in Saint Michael, MN.
19. 19. Sinclair Lewis Foundation, $7,235, in support of the Sinclair Lewis 2024 Writers Conference that mentors writers of all ages, experience levels and cultural backgrounds in Sauk Rapids, MN.
20. 20. St. Cloud Arts Commission, $6,200, to support the capacity and outreach of the SCRAPS program through paid internships that will develop art kits and an online presence in Saint Cloud, MN.
21. 21. St. Cloud State University, $8,000, to support a live performance by the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra and local performance artists from diverse performance media during the Lemonade Concert and Art Fair 2024 on June 27, 2024, in Saint Cloud, MN.
22. 22. St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $8,000, for “A New Home” concert on April 27, 2024, that will include the Young Performer Competition winners and two great masterworks of symphonic repertoire in Saint Cloud, MN.
23. 23. STMA Music Boosters, $8,000, to support enrichment projects focused on Suffrage and Environmentalism for the presentation included by the choirs performance of “The Lost Birds” by composer Christopher Tin and “Suffrage Cantata” by Andrea Ramsey in May 2024 in Saint Michael, MN.
24. 24. SOAR Regional Arts, $7,200, for SOAR Troup traveling performances held at area long-term care facilities between October 2024 -May 2025 in St. Michael, Otsego, Albertville and Rogers, MN.
25. 25, TEDxStCloud, $8,000, to support the presentation of TEDxStCloud 2024 which includes performing artists, interactive-arts experiences, speakers, and audience interaction and discussion held October 2024 in Saint Cloud.
26. 26. The St. John’s Boys’ Choir, $8,000, to support “Sing in the Summer 2024” in collaboration with the Youth Chorale of Central MN Cantabile to offer a 4-day camp for area 3rd-5th grade students in Collegeville, MN.
27. 27. WACOSA, $7,034, to hire artists Dan Mondloch to conduct classes for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities during WACOSA’s Whitney Senior Program in Saint Cloud, MN.
28. 28. Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $8,000, for “Pillars of Hip-Hop” with Terrell Woods who will guide participants in learning DJing, emceeing, beatboxing, rap, and writing held in Summer 2024 in Saint Cloud, MN.
29. 29. Youth Chorale of Central MN, $8,000, to support “All is Well” performance that will feature 100+ choral members, the St. Cloud String Quartet, and alumni singers in December 2024 in Saint Cloud, MN.

The Central Minnesota Arts Board supports collaborative and innovative arts opportunities through partnerships and financial investments in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties. The CMAB is 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.

**Event dates may change, visit aroundthecloud.org and organization websites for recent updates.