At the April 10, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $255,795 in support of thirty-one 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, 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. Avon Hills Folk School, $7,478, for April Ogimaakwe Stone to provide demonstrations and hands-on experiences in Black Ash basketry and Ojibwe Culture with elementary aged school children and resource workshop discussions for adults in May 2025. Participants in the adult resource workshops will return in September 2025 for an intensive with April and Beth Homa-Kraus at the Avon Hills Folk School in Avon, MN.
2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $8,000, to support the 2025 Youth Arts Initiative Winter Showcase featuring areas of dance, visual arts, digital arts, fashion and sewing in December 2025 at the Eastside Boys & Girls Club in St. Cloud, MN.
3. Buffalo Community Orchestra, $8,000, for the performance of a concert featuring music of South and Central America conducted by Costa Rican born conductor Jose David Carrillo Siliezar in October 2025 at Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, MN.
4. Buffalo Community Theater, $8,000, for the community production and performance of “Clue: The Musical” in October-November 2025 at Discovery Elementary School Auditorium in Buffalo, MN.
5. Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, $8,000, to support the rehearsal and performance of “All Things Beautiful: Serenity in a Broken World concert in November 2025 in Sartell, MN.
6. Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $8,000, for two Fall 2025 concerts that include community outreach through a masterclass, a free family concert and interactive programs at area schools in Saint Cloud, MN.
7. College of Saint Benedict, $6,255, for musical exploration of cultural intersections through Community Always in Concert: Moving Beyond Microaggressions through Awareness and Action in Winter 2026 at Benedicta Arts Center in St. Joseph, MN.
8. Delano Community Band, $6,000, for composer Randall Standridge to commission music that reflects The City of Deleno’s history inspired by information provided by the Delano Historical Society. The commission piece will be performed at the Sesquicentennial Celebration in Delano, MN.
9. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $8,000, for the youth led production and performance of “Elephant & Piggie” in September 2025 in Waite Park, MN.
10. Heijeu Arts, $8,000, for Art Smarts Art Camp, an 8-day art experience for grades 4-12 in August 2025 at the Stearns History Museum in Saint Cloud, MN.
11. Holdingford American Legion, $6,249, to support an eight-concert program featuring Olde Tyme and traditional country music performances, dancing, and history in Summer 2025 in Holdingford, MN.
12. Lyricality, $7,200, for artist Azania Tripp to conduct a wearable paper art-making workshop in September 2025 for Somali American and East African mothers in Saint Cloud, MN.
13. MelroseStages, $7,700, for the summer musical production of “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose, MN.
14. Millstream Arts Festival, $4,000, to support the Millstream Arts Festival exhibiting over 50 juried artists in August 2025 in Saint Joseph, MN.
15. Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association, $8,000, for the August 2025 Minnesota Bluegrass Festival that includes workshops for music-learners of all ages in Richmond, MN.
16. MontiArts, $8,000, to support opportunities for skill development and community engagement through a Landscape Fish Workshop and Community Public Seating led by mosaic artist Sue Seeger from May 2025 through April 2026 at MontiArts in Monticello, MN.
17. Monticello Community Strings, $3,153, to support the opportunity for young musicians to rehearse and perform in an ensemble format during Summer 2025 at the Monticello Performing Arts Center in Monticello, MN.
18. Paramount Center for the Arts, $8,000, for the community outreach and performance of the Peking Acrobats in January-February 2026 at Paramount Center for the Arts in Saint Cloud, MN.
19. Rum River Art Center, $8,000, to offer multiple art classes in a diverse range of visual arts free for children and their families June 2025 – March 2026 at Elk River Library in Elk River, MN and St. Michael Library in St. Michael, MN.
20. Sinclair Lewis Foundation, $7,560, for the Sinclair Lewis 2025 Writers Conference to mentor writers of all ages, experience levels, cultural backgrounds through panel discussions, keynote speakers and small group presentations in October 2025 in Sauk Centre, MN.
21. SOAR Regional Arts, $8,000, for the outdoor performance of Jesus Christ Superstar musical concert in September 2025 at Saint Michael Town Center Park in St. Michael, MN.
22. St. Michael-Albertville High School, $8,000, to support one day theater retreat for regional high school students to focus on building production skills through workshops facilitated by Minnesota theatre professionals held in August 2025 at St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, MN.
23. St. Cloud State University, $8,000, to support the Lemonade Concert and Art Fair held on June 26, 2025, at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN
24. St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $8,000, for a concert featuring diverse symphonic works from a variety of periods, styles, and cultures in “Symphony in Spain and Latin America” held in April 2025 at St. Cloud State University, Ritsche Auditorium in St. Cloud, MN.
25. TEDxStCloud, $4,500, for The Rule of St. Benedict Scroll by artist Mary Bruno with the theme “Listen” to be exhibited in the Paramount Center for the Arts gallery leading up to TEDxStCloud 2025 in October 2025 at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud, MN.
26. The Downtown Alliance, $6,000, to support the Blazing Summer Art Crawl with over 75 local artists to exhibit their work via artist booths, interactive demonstrations, and live art activities held in August 2025 in downtown St. Cloud, MN.
27. The St. John’s Boys’ Choir, $8,000, to support “Sing in the Summer” camp in collaboration with Youth Choral of Central Minnesota for 3rd-5th grade students in July 2025 at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN.
28. Veteran Resource & Enrichment Center, $8,000, for Art Warriors: A Tribute to Veterans, a community-driven event designed to honor and celebrate the artistic expressions of Veterans held in August 2025 at the Veteran Resource & Enrichment Center in St. Cloud, MN.
29. Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $8,000, for establishing a community drumline designed for high school students, advanced younger students and college-age participants to build technical skill, artistic mastery, and creative expression while fostering teamwork, discipline, and performance confidence at Wirth Center for the Performing Arts in St. Cloud, MN.
30. Yiran African Arts, $7,700, to support Fred Yiran African Arts Day to celebrate African arts, music, dance and culture in a one-day arts festival held in June 2025 at Lake George Municipal Complex and Park in St. Cloud, MN.
31. Youth Chorale of Central MN, $8,000, to support a collaborative concert featuring the Youth Chorale’s middle school and high school ensembles, the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir, and the Minnesota Center Chorale in October 2025 at Ritsche Auditorium in St. 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.