At the September 14, 2023, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $23,448 to area organizations in support of Artist Residencies.

The Artist in Residence (AIR) program is designed to enhance education through the arts with supportive grants to schools and nonprofit organizations. The intention of any residency proposal must be to increase interaction between students, community members and professional artists.

1.     510 Art Lab, $3,500, for a four-session Storytelling Workshop with Laura Packer where participants learn how to pick a topic, embellish the story, and present that story to an audience. A 90-minute storytelling concert will follow the workshop at 510 Art Lab in Sauk Centre
2.     Foley High School, $3,500, for a hand-building and mold making residency with ceramicist Desi Murphy where students will create 3D ceramic cubes that will be fired and hung to create a temporary wall installation presented during a celebration in spring. Students will then be able to take home their modern ceramic cube.
3.     MontiArts, $3,500, for resident artist Brian Larson to lead school art club, local creatives, and people from the community in painting techniques, design process and installation of public art. Leaners will practice on a temporary brick building that will be demolished before collaborating on a permanent mural that will be located on the rear entrance of the MontiArts building.
4.     Prairie Porcelain Painter of Albany, $2,810, for artist Lucy Thomas to teach three new porcelain painting techniques over nine days that include techniques for preparing, mixing, and grinding paints, painting, and brush techniques, and applying paint for kiln firing.
5.     St. Michael-Albertville High School, $3,500, for secondary band students to enhance learning and improve musicianship through a masterclass with Dallas Brass that will conclude with a public performance.
6.     Talahi Community School, $3,178, for teaching artist Levi Weinhagen to conduct “Humor Can Come in Many Ways” residency with second grade students that will focus on composing short sentences and scenes that express feel-good humor and fun learning.
7.     Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $3,500, for musician and actor Sean Tillmann-Hauser to conduct a singer/songwriter workshop for rock band students and a masterclass for faculty with a deeper focus on the songwriting process to benefit the students they teach.

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.