At the September 17, 2020 meeting, the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $30,000 in Artist Career Development grants. The CMAB Artist Career Development program provides funds of up to $3,000 in support of projects, training opportunities, purchases and other activities that assist artists in making the next step in their artistic careers. Funding for this program is provided through the McKnight Foundation.

Three criteria are used to evaluate applications: Artistic quality and merit, Professional Need and Ability to complete the proposal. An applicant must receive an average score of 15 points (50%) or higher to be considered for funding.

The following artists were awarded:

1. 1. Naomi Hart, Stearns Country, received $3,000 in support of creating work for two solo exhibitions at Phipps Center for the Arts.
2. 2. Samuel Spiczka, Benton County, received $3,000 to purchase a multi-process welder to create smaller scale sculptures with more detail and the capability to weld stainless steel, bronze or aluminum.
3. 3. Melissa Krause, Sherburne County, received $3,000 for the purchase of digital audio equipment and software to create new original work for electronic flute.
4. 4. Jocelyn Hagen, Sherburne County, received $3,000 in support of expanding the #ComposeLikeAGirl brand into a podcast highlighting the contributions of female composers to the field.
5. 5. Hedy Tripp, Stearns County, received $3,000 in support of creating a new body of poetry focused on her life experiences as a Singaporean Eurasian immigrant, two public or digital presentations as well as a consult review.
6. 6. Heidi Jeub, Stearns County, received $3,000 to create a new body of work, work with a writing mentor and promote new work through hosting small audience and online studio events.
7. 7. Tracy Rittmueller, Stearns County, received $3,000 to increase print media presence and social media engagement, while researching and writing a book proposal for publication of the literary manuscript, “Book of Transformations”.
8. 8. Helene Woods, Wright County, received $3,000 in support of creating five 60″x 60″ paintings depicting the imagined biology and environments of COVID19 patients to be exhibited in 2021.
9. 9. Kelly Meyer, Stearns County, received $3,000 in support of framing current work and expanding education in touch and tactile objects to pursue creating accessible art for the visually impaired.
10. 10. Ginny McClure, Stearns Country, received $3,000 for the purchase of lapidary equipment to create buttons out of agates found in central Minnesota.
12. The Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) strives to enhance appreciation of the essential economic and social roles the arts play in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties by providing grants and professional development services to arts and community organizations, schools, government units and individuals.