At the October 9, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $20,815 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. Funding for this grant program is provided through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund created by the Voters of Minnesota.
The following organizations were awarded:
1. Annandale Care Center, $3,453, for artist Destinee Love to lead a twelve-week acrylics workshop for older adults in assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care units that will culminate in group exhibit displayed at the facility.
2. College of Saint Benedict, $3,500, for guest choreographers Jerome Akubue and Erinn Leibhard to lead a Hip Hop and Rhythmic Jazz residency for theater and Dance students that includes collaboration with costume and lighting for a public performance in April 2026.
3. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $3,500, to support one-week Theatre Residencies providing ISD 742 5th grade students the opportunity to be a part of a collaborative production
and performance at their school.
4. Oak Hill Community School, $3,500, for artist Desi Murphy to work with elementary art students in creating ceramic fish forms that will be suspended together for a permanent collaborative “school of fish” installation.
5. Sherburne Northern Wright Special Education Cooperative, $3,362 for artist Kenya Letourneau to lead special education students in a 3D acrylic art residency that integrate multiple learning goals through nonverbal self-expression.
6. St. Michael-Albertville High School, $3,500, for props artisan and scenic designer Jonathan Haller to lead a technical theater production residency for theater students at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
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.