At the September 13, 2018 meeting, the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $77,929 in support of fifteen regional arts projects. Criteria used in evaluating applications includes: Artistic quality & merit, Demonstrated need, Outcomes & evaluation and Ability to complete the proposal.

Organizations may apply for up to $7,000 with a 25% match requirement for any one project or combined projects totaling no more than $7,000 in any one grant round. 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.

Buffalo Community Orchestra, $6,270, “Open Season: BCO Plays the Classics” will feature several soloists performing Mozart’s Flute Concerto in G, Brahms’ Concerto for Cello and Violin and the full Tchaikovsky 5th Symphony on October 28, 2018 at Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, MN.

Buffalo Community Theater, $7,000, for the musical, “Company”, that will involve artists, technicians and volunteers from Buffalo and surrounding communities, performed October 12-14 and 19-21, 2018 at the Discovery Auditorium in Buffalo, MN.

Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $7,000, for “Tapestry Vocal Ensemble” concert and community outreach. The formal concert will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day on November 3, 2018 at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud, MN.

Great River Chorale, $7,000, “What Sweeter Music” collaborative choral concert with narrations and audience carols from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales that features Great River Chorale, the Cantabile Girls’ Concert Choir and Choristers and guest instrumentalists on November 30, 2018 at Saint Mary’s Cathedral and December 2, 2018 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN.

Holdingford Public Schools, $2,733, for the “Collaged Identities” project where artist Sarah Drake will lead South Junior High and Holdingford Public Schools’ eighth grade classes in creating mixed-media two-dimensional art representing different backgrounds to develop their identity as well as descriptive reviews of international artists. This project will begin in September 2018 and include six classroom groups before concluding in April 2019.

Paramount Center For The Arts, $6,260, for a juried High School Art Exhibition of student artist work from Central Minnesota High Schools, showcased in March 2019 at Paramount Center for the Arts in St. Cloud, MN.

SOAR Regional Arts, $5,156, “Beyond the Stage: Arabian Nights” educational program that includes theater instruction, Arabian dance, art, and storytelling for youth and adults in connection with the SOAR Regional Arts production of Aladdin, Jr. beginning January 2019 through March 2019 in St. Michael, MN.

St. Cloud State University, $1,509, Expanding the Vision of Kaleidoscope magazine’s potential by increasing the print quality to provide the reader a richer experience and featured artists a portfolio piece. The plan also includes increased effort in publicity, submissions and page count for the 2018/2019 academic year.

St. Cloud Film Festival, $7,000, 2018 St Cloud Film Festival celebrates independent local and global cinema by showing a combination of features and shorts from November 3-10, 2018 at the Black Box Theater, Parkwood Cinema, and St Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. The festival includes Kids Stop-Motion Workshop for students in grades 1-12 in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Central MN.

St. John’s University – Fine Arts, $7,000, to present Nobuntu, a female a capella ensemble from Zimbabwe, for three days of residency and outreach and a public performance on October 19, 2018 at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater in Collegeville, MN.

St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $7,000, “Coming Home” The Armistice Anniversary concert will explore notions of war and peace, and the longing for family members to return safely home to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice after World War I on November 10, 2018 in Ritsche Auditorium at St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN.

The St. John’s Boys’ Choir, $3,649, to present “A Ceremony of Carols” that will feature seasonal selections with orchestra and harp. Guest performances by the Bell Ringers of Salem Lutheran Church, Dr. Rachel Brandwein and a special SJBC Alumni Chorus on December 15, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Mary’s in St. Cloud, MN.

Two Days in Saint Cloud cast and crew, $1,421, for the production of “Two Days in St Cloud” November 9- 11, 2018 at GREAT Theatre’s Helgeson Learning Lab stage in St. Cloud, MN.

United Cerebral Palsy, $4,346, Art for All Development Project to enhance the connection and meaning between art and the artist designed specifically for artists with disabilities coordinated by artist Melissa Gohman. The project will take place in Waite Park, MN and be conducted in three phases: beginning October 2018 with Research and Development with Development Camp in December 2018 and conclude with Final Review in February 2019.

Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $4,585, for “School of Rock” where music students learn all the aspects of being in a rock band from the history of rock and the steps necessary to form a band to a large scale performance on stage during a 6-day camp instructed by professional area musicians in August 2019.

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 aroundthecloud.org for a full listing of these arts events and Everything Arts in Central Minnesota.