Eight Area Artists Receive Individual Artist Awards


The Central MN Arts Board is excited to announce the Individual Artist Award (IAA) recipients for 2023!

The Individual Artist Award provides awards in recognition and support of outstanding artists living in the Minnesota counties of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns or Wright (Region 7W). Funding for the program is generously provided by the McKnight Foundation.

Artists are invited to apply for this award once each year in January and may receive up to $5,000 in Individual Artist Awards in a lifetime. A panel of arts professionals reviewed and scored each application. Those with the highest average score were recommended to the CMAB Directors for awards. CMAB Directors accepted the review panel’s recommendations at their March 9, 2023, board meeting with a total of $21,500 in awards.

The 2023 Individual Artist Award recipients are:

1.  Marienne Kreitlow, Musical Theatre, playwright, lyricist, composer; Wright County
2.  Jean Matua, Visual art, Pysanky, batik-style wax-resist; Stearns County
3.  Patricia Riley, Visual art, fine arts, oil on linen; Wright County
4.  Kathryn Blommel, Visual art, graphite, charcoal; Sherburne County
5.  Nik Rymer, Visual art, mixed media; Sherburne County
6.  Matthew Coppersmith, Visual art, wood, metal & resin; Wright County
7.  Amy Coppersmith, Visual art, digital photography; Wright County
8.  Steven Lemke, Visual art, sculptor; Stearns County

JeanMatua_PysankaLobster, Leaks and Lemon oil on canvasGrandma and me Charcoal and GraphiteIntersections sculptureBipolar Oil on canvasOrange Dreamsicle DeskTesla's Mistress

To view samples of the winning artists’ work, visit the Central Minnesota Arts Board website at www.centralmnartsboard.org.

The 2023 Individual Artist Award panel reviewers were:

Board of Directors, Bopha Thomas: Fashion Designer; Bopha Sar sewing and alterations, owner; AA Fashion Design; experience in theater, costume design, instrumental music; Princeton Area of Commerce Board Member; Central Minnesota Arts Board Director.

Cezarija Abartis: M.A. and Ph.D. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; St. Cloud State University Professor of English; Published Author

Sydney Kakuk: University of Minnesota BM Vocal Performance and BA Political Science; opera singer and classical vocalist, experience in theater, choir, orchestra; volunteered for Tri-County Animal Humane Society, St. Cloud Times Editorial Board, Quiet Oaks Hospice, Esperanza Ensemble

Craig Palm: Visual Artist, Sculptor, Hennepin Tech for Graphic Arts; Art Masters Academy Apprenticeship and taught 30 years of Oil painting, mural work, air brush, and sculptural experience; volunteered at Elk River High Art Dept, Evansville Art Association.

Mike Odden: Visual Artist, Visual Art High School Teacher, retired; past Central Minnesota Arts Board of directors and chair; Holdingford Fine Arts Booster Club, Member of Resurrected Artists Theatre group, Member Petals to Pedals Garden Club

Rebecca Froehlich: Textile Art Center, Instructor, Member of Art to Change the World; AmeriCorps VISTA, Development & Communications Associate, Development & Communications Specialist, Development & Communications Manager; Arts in Health Practitioner with Creative Care LLC; Artist in Healthcare at Sanford Canby; Former Young Professionals Board Member: Cornerstone Advocacy Services; Current Board Member: Friends of Roberts Bird Sanctuary; Former grant reviewer for: Minnesota State Arts Board, Youthprise, Synergy & Leadership Exchange

Mary Joyce: Visual Artist, Member Kanabec County Art Association, The Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community, Hallberg Center for the Arts, Wyoming, MN

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.

Teaching Artist Grant Awarded to Area Artist


At the March 9, 2023 meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded Teaching Artist, 
Cristina Seaborn $2,000 to lead a Barn Dance residency for second graders at Talahi Community School. The activities combine music, physical education, and historical culture concluding with a community barn dance.

The Teaching Artist Grant is available to artists who complete the CMAB Teaching Artist Roster Program  and are listed on CMAB’s Teaching Artist Roster.  The goal of the program is to support local artists in sharing their knowledge, skills and process with learners throughout the region.

Funding for the TAG program is provided by the McKnight Foundation.

For more information about the Central MN Arts Board Teaching Artist Roster visit www.centralmnartsboard.org or call the office at 320-968-4290 or toll free at 1-866-825-1471.

CMAB Awards Organizational Development Grants


At the November 10, 2022 meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $70,386 in Organizational Development Grants.

The CMAB Organizational Development program provides funds to help establish, maintain & strengthen the infrastructure of nonprofit arts organizations. These funds are also available to assist arts groups in establishing 501(c)(3) status. Funding for this grant program is provided through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the state’s general fund, and the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund created by the Voters of Minnesota.

The following organizations were awarded:
1. Buffalo Community Theater, $7,096, to support a board team building workshop, Intimacy director training and for lighting and sound equipment.
2. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $10,000, to facilitate strategic planning for board of directors and staff.
3. Lyricality, $10,000, for development and communications advising and D-E-I Think Tank collaboration among local artists to identify Central Minnesota cultures and groups with limited or narrow access to arts & culture engagement opportunities.
4. Melrose Area Arts Council, $8,500, to assist with filing for nonprofit status and to develop the organization’s website for promoting projects and events.
5. Paramount Center for the Arts, $10,000, for the implementation of their Strategic Plan Initiatives that include organizations with partnership goals to enhance the presence of the arts across the community.
6. SOAR Regional Arts, $10,000, to purchase a wireless microphone system in order to mitigate rising rental costs and to increase organizational sustainability through staff time with a grant research and grant writing consultant.
7. St. Cloud Municipal Band, $4,790, for the purchase of stackable folding performance chairs, chair carts and music stand carts for performances at outdoor concerts.
8. Youth Chorale of Central MN, $10,000, for the development of a branding and marketing plan including website updates that accurately reflect current programming, new ensembles and staff members.

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.

Teaching Artist Grants Awarded to Area Artists


At the November 10, 2022 meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $4,000 in Teaching Artist Grants to local artists to conduct arts learning activities in community settings.

The following teaching artists were awarded:
1. Dan Mondloch, $2,000, for a 4-day residency focused on watercolor techniques and landscape painting with grades Pre-k through 5th grade at St. Joseph Catholic School in St. Joseph, MN.
2. Carol Moore, $2,000, for a weeklong residency with k-6th grade students teaching watercolor techniques, styles and an introduction to famous master painters at St. Mary’s School in Melrose, MN.

The Teaching Artist Grant is available to artists who complete the CMAB Teaching Artist Roster Program and are listed on CMAB’s Teaching Artist Roster. The goal of the program is to support local artists in sharing their knowledge, skills, and process with learners throughout the region by increasing the opportunities for artist residences.

Funding for the TAG program is provided by the McKnight Foundation.

CMAB Awards Public Art Grants


At the October 13, 2022, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $22,444 in Public Art Grants. The CMAB Public Art program provides funds for the completion of well-planned works of public art that are accessible to the public and supported by the community. An organization must provide a minimum of 25% in matching funds. Public Art Grants are provided through Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

The following were awarded:
1.  Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture, $15,825, to commission a permanent sculpture, “Trumpeter” by artist Willicey Tynes that pays tribute to the successful reintroduction of the Trumpeter Swan for the Delano Sculpture Park located between Highway 12 and the Crow River in Delano, MN.
2.  Friends of the Buffalo Library, $6,619, for a stained-glass panel that will be illuminated at night designed by artist Mary Ellen Gutknecht with the library’s message of ‘A Love of Reading’ for permanent installation next to the West entrance of the Buffalo Library in Buffalo, 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.

CMAB Awards Regional Project Grants


At the October 13, 2022, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $208,478 in support of twenty-nine regional 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, outcomes & evaluation, and ability to complete the proposal.

Organizations, schools, local government, community groups, and individuals 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. Art Experiment 56340, $5,450, for “Art on the Roll” 2023 workshops where artists provide place-based accessible art activities to all ages, skill sets, and artistic abilities beginning Memorial Day weekend through October 2023 at Art in Motion on the Lake Wobegon Trail in Holdingford, MN.
2. Big Lake Schools Community Education, $7,664.00, for a choreographer, assistant lighting director, lighting, wireless headsets, and organizational storage equipment to improve the production of 2023 Big Lake High School Musical in Big Lake, MN.
3. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $8,000, in support of Youth Arts Initiative 2023 that includes visual and digital arts, dance, fashion and sewing concluding with an exhibit reception and a showcase on stage at the Paramount Center for the Arts on May 10, 2023.
4. Buffalo Community Orchestra, $5,938, to present “Love, BCO” concert at Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center on April 30, 2023.
5. Buffalo Community Theater, $8,000.00, to continue the technical apprentice program during the rehearsal and presentation of “Shrek the Musical” at the Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center in July 2023.
6. Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $8,000, for performances by Balge-Park-Ross in November 2022 and & Ann DuHamel in January 2023 that include community outreach and school program activities in St. Cloud, MN.
7. City of Holdingford, $1,872, Music of our Heartland performance series that includes personal story sharing by residents, open stage folk music performances, folk dancing and a concert featuring Polish, German and Czech folk music by LaVerne and the Skylites in Holdingford, MN.
8. Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture, $8,000, in support 2023 Sculpture Fest and Walk held at the Delano Sculpture Park along the Crow River and through historic downtown Delano, MN.
9. Delano Dramatic Company, $8,000, for “Christmas with a Twist” 10-minute plays during Old-Fashioned Christmas in Delano, MN, December 2022 and “School of Rock, the Musical” performance at the Delano High School Performing Arts Center in July 2023.
10. Elk River High School, $4,885, in support of “Evening of the Arts” community celebration to showcase teen artists, musicians, dancers, poets, writers, actors and photographers in April 2023 in Elk River, MN.
11. Great River Children’s Museum, $8,000, to support the GRCM Art and Community Project artists’ proposals and the design process for a dining wall mural, an outdoor play sculpture and art fence that would surround the Outdoor Adventures exhibit area.
12. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $8,000, for the 2022-23 Youth Artist Project theatre performance of Mo Willems’s “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience” produced by high school theatre artists for young audiences that includes digital access for schools and homes in March 2023.
13. HLWW Theatre Arts Boosters, $8,000, for the presentation of “Bye Bye Birdy” musical at Howard Lake Wavery Winsted High School Laker Theatre in July 2023.
14. Lyricality, $8,000, in support of “The Art of Transformation” performance by a collective of poets, writers, and artists during Poetry Month, April 2023 in greater St. Cloud, MN.
15. McKinley ALC High School, $8,000, to provide students an opportunity to learn about careers in arts, work with clay, and have an art show that highlights student work in partnership with Paramount Center for the Arts during the 2022-23 school year.
16. Mid Minnesota Association of Wood Turners, $4,999, for the purchase of technical equipment to enhance meetings, demonstrations and education courses at the Tech Center in Waite Park, MN.
17. Minnesota Dance Ensemble, $7,990, to present “Dancer’s Dances” choreographed by dancers in collaboration with local guest dancers at the Paramount Theater in April 2023.
18. MontiArts, $8,000, to support MontiArts Glow Fest ’23 that includes free workshops that guide participants in making glow art to be carried or worn in the parade ending with a bonfire at Riverfront Park in downtown Monticello, MN during winter 2023.
19. Monticello Community Strings, $4,600, to support music mentors and performers in presenting a free community strings concert at the Monticello High School Performing Arts Center in July 2023.
20. Paramount Center For the Arts, $8,000, in support of the 2023 High School Art Exhibition and Competition for High School Students from 17 different high schools in Central Minnesota concluding in a reception and presentation of wards April 28, 2023, at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud, MN.
21. Whitney Writers and Poets, $5,910.00, to support publishing a memoir anthology book of compiled creative stories from Guided Autobiography Writing class participants offered by the Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud, MN. Authors will read their own excerpts or other original works during a free community event.
22. Project 37 – Independent Music Collaboration of Central MN, $7,170.00 to support Project 37 Showcase Series of six performances that provide a place for all ages to enjoy a sober and safe venue for music.
23. Rittmueller, $8,000, to support artist Tracy Rittmueller in leading a collaboration between poets, musicians, cultural consultants, and community organization to produce “Party with Paints and Poems” 2023 Winter Solstice event held at Great River Regional Library.
24. SOAR Regional Arts, $8,000, to support the production and performance of “Clue” in May 2023 that includes the opportunity for the Teen Advisory Group to shadow the different aspects of production at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West in St. Michael, MN.
25. St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $8,000, for “A Joyful Noise” concert at St. Cloud State University Ritsche Auditorium February 25, 2023, in St. Cloud, MN.
26. St. John’s University – Fine Arts, $8,000, to present Tiempo Libre workshops and performance in November 2022.
27. STMA Music Boosters, $8,000, to host Jason Max Ferdinand Singers in a series of choral master classes culminating in a performance that will include six vocal ensembles, members of the Ogni Voce choir comprised of special education students ages 12 – 50 in February 2023 at the St. Michael – Albertville High School Performing Arts Center.
28. WACOSA, $8,000, for “Bringing ART to the South” painting sessions January – May 2023 taught by artist Dan Mondloch where participant’s work will be used to develop two wall murals as permanent fixtures at the WACOSA South in Waite Park, MN.
29. Youth Chorale of Central MN, $8,000, to support a collaboration with Nation, a composer duo from Big Lake, MN, in rehearsal and a performance on April 23, 2023, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 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 due to the current environment, visit aroundthecloud.org and organization websites for recent updates.

CMAB Awards Artist in Residence Grants


At the September 15, 2022 meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $16,494 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.  1st United Methodist Church, $3,500, The Poetry of Transformation: Healing Writing Practices, Writer-in-Residence workshop with Tracy Rittmueller.
2. Kennedy Community School, $3,500, a one-week Puppet residency for fourth-grade students conducted by artist Christopher Lutter Gardella.
3. Prairie Porcelain Painter of Albany, $2,800, artist Vida Klocke will teach a four-day class on technical issues of porcelain painting for the Prairie Porcelain Painters of Albany.
4. Sauk Centre Elementary, $3,194, artist Cara Lewis will work with 3-4th grade students to create 3-D fish from clay and sewing on canvas with 2nd grade students.
5. STMA Theater, $3,500, Theatre Musician and Lighting Technician Residency consisting of four artists that will rehearse and perform alongside St. Michael Albertville High School students offering professional standards and quality to the production.

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.

CMAB Awards Artist Career Development Grants


At the September 15, 2022, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $28,000 in Artist Career Development grants.
The CMAB Artist Career Development program provides funding 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 by 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.

1. JD Jorgenson, $3,000, to improve the studio wood kiln shed ventilation air quality system.
2. Steven Lemke, $3,000, to expand in the sculpture field with digital fabrication and imaging.
3. Kelly Meyer, $3,000, to purchase adaptive materials and supplies to provide specialized art classes for disabled children and adults.
4. Megan Jorgenson, $1,000, for a ceramic decal printer to reproduce drawings for layering on top of slip or stencils patterns.
5.  Desi Murphy, $3,000, creative time and development of a new collection of pieces focused on modern minimalist Scandinavian design.
6. Tracy Rittmueller, $3,000, for the publication and promotion of a second collection of poems.
7. Laura Ruprecht, $3,000, for creative time and resources for a growing body of mosaic work featuring Minnesota native bird species.
8. Timothy Takach, $3,000, to support the continuing development of “Unfashioned Creature”, new composition created for choir, percussion, cello and live dance.
9. Dennis Warner, $3,000, to purchase 4K video cameras, equipment, and software to upgrade promotional videos.
10. D. Helene Woods, $3,000, for supplies and materials to complete larger narrative abstracted companion painting series.

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.

CMAB Awards Project Grants in support of regional arts projects


At the May 12, 2022, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $236,243 in support of thirty-one regional 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 to inform funding decisions. Criteria used in evaluating applications include pandemic sustainability & diversity, equity & inclusion, artistic quality & merit, demonstrated need, outcomes & evaluation, and ability to complete the proposal.

Applicants may request up to $8,000 for any one project or combined projects in a 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

The following organizations were awarded:
1. Avon Hills Folk School, $6,743, to provide learning and experience in traditional or folk arts during adult Hand Camp in fall 2022 at Avon Hills Folk School in Avon, MN.
2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $8,000, to showcase student work in visual arts, digital arts, fashion, spoken word and dance during Whatever it Takes youth initiative Winter 2022, reception and exhibit at the Eastside Club in December 2022 with viewing options for those who cannot attend.
3. Buffalo Community Orchestra, $7,465, for the concert performance of “Let’s Dance!” that will include a wide variety of orchestral dance music in March 2023 in Buffalo, MN.
4. Buffalo Community Theater, $8,000, to produce the Ken Ludwig comedy, “Leading Ladies” in October 2022 that will include an apprentice program for technical positions.
5. Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, $8,000, to perform “Afflictions of Humanity: LOVE AND WAR” musical works focused on some of humanities complicated challenges concert in November 2022 including an online performance.
6. Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $8,000, 2022-23 concert season featuring guest artist, the Harlem Quartet performance and community outreach activities at area schools, the St. Cloud library, and the Whitney Senior Center. The concert will be recorded and made available online in November 2022.
7. College of Saint Benedict, $8,000, to present Red Sky Performance featuring “Trace”, a highly kinetic dance work inspired by Anishinaabe sky and star stories that will include outreach activities on October 28, 2022 in St. Joseph, MN.
8. Community Legacy Foundation, $8,000, for Shawn McCann, professional chalk, and mural artist, and ten professional chalk artists to create an interactive display of chalk art in June 2022 on the street of Sinclair Lewis Avenue in Sauk Centre, MN.
9. Fred Yiran Legacy Project, $8,000, to provide opportunities for African artistic display of dance, African art, drumming, storytelling, bead making, professional teacher workshops during Fred Yiran African Arts Day in June 2023 in St. Cloud, MN.
10. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $8,000, to perform Langston Hughes’s “Black Nativity” in collaboration with Higher Works Collaborative in December 2022 in Waite Park, MN.
11. Hanover Elementary School, $2,200, for artist Mary Ellen Gutknecht design a stained-glass panel with student input to be installed above the doorway leading to the playground and the school forest in Hanover, MN.
12. Independent Music Collaboration of Central MN, $8,000, for Common Roots Fest 2022, a four-day, multi-venue music event held August 17-20, 2022, in downtown St. Cloud.
13. Jeub, Heidi, $8,000, for Whitty Artist Camp at The Whit Gallery in St. Cloud and Tiny School of Art & Design in Avon, Holdingford and St. Cloud communities held June – September 2022.
14. Lyricality, $8,000, for eight diverse writers to facilitate “Celebrating LyricaliTea Circles” events that will feature poetry and spoken word that demonstrates the creativity and distinct artistic voices of circle participants by regionally and nationally recognized poets and writers August – November 2022 in
Cloud and Holdingford, MN.
15. Melrose Area Art Council, $7,000, to fund the research, development, and community feedback for the proposal of a monument style welcoming sign for the City of Melrose, MN.
16. Millstream Arts Festival, $8,000, Millstream Arts Festival 2022 outdoor juried art festival featuring local and regional artists’ work, live music, street performances, children’s art, exhibits, demos and enticing foods held August 2022 in St. Joseph, MN.
17. Minnesota Dance Ensemble, $6,990, to produce “Love from Beyond the Grave” Halloween themed dances, music and costumes in October 2022 at the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud, MN.
18. Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society, $8,000, for “Art Fair in the Gardens” that features art, theatre performers and artists in a variety of genres including Central Minnesota Theatre performing Shakespeare’s Abridged Stories all day at various locations throughout the gardens in July 2022 in St. Cloud, MN.
19. Paramount Center For the Arts, $8,000, for The Blind Boys of Alabama performance concert February 24, 2023 at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud, MN.
20. Paynesville Area Community Theater, $6,500, to produce and perform “Little House on the Prairie, The Musical” in July 21-24 at the Paynesville Area High School Auditorium in Paynesville, MN.
21. Rum River Art Center, $8,000, to provide a series of single outreach classes/workshops to older adults ages 55+ through the Senior-Art Reach Programming at Elk River Senior Center and St. Michael Library.
22. Sinclair Lewis Foundation, $7,545, Sinclair Lewis 2022 Writers Conference that will focus on the writing process from the perspectives of various professional writers by providing four sessions that include a panel discussion and small group presentations in October 2022 at the Sauk Centre High School Auditorium.
23. Cloud State University, $8,000, Lemonade Concert and Art Fair to bring performance and visual art experiences to the SCSU campus that engage the community in the support of the arts and provide local artists with an opportunity to showcase their art June 2022 in St. Cloud, MN.
24. St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $8,000, Finding Home at the Movies concert performance that will include beloved and award-winning movies and music on September 24, 2022, at Ritsche Auditorium, St. Cloud State University.
25. John’s University – Fine Arts, $8,000, SJU Native Group Exhibition guest curated by Travis Zimmerman, manager of the Mille Lacs Indian Museum, former Indian Affairs Liaison and SJU alum from August 28 – October 28, 2022 at the Alice R. Rogers and Target Galleries on the campus Saint John’s University.
26. TEDxStCloud, $8,000, for TEDxStCloud 2022: Rattle event with live speakers and arts performances combine to spark deep discussion and connection among attendees in the Fall of 2022 at the Paramount Theater including livestream.
27. The St. John’s Boys’ Choir, $8,000, Boys BACK on Broadway 2022 production to mark the return to the stage for three for school audiences and two public productions in October 2022.
28. The Yes Network, $8,000, to provide Thinking Skills That I Learned Through Art experiences for three days a week for children ages of five to fifteen within St. Cloud, MN in Summer 2022.
29. Unite Cloud, $7,800, to host photographer, KOBI (aka Henry Bannerman) for an exhibition called “BlackMan…BlackMan…” in July 2022 at The Whit Gallery in St. Cloud, MN.
30. VanderEyk, Deb, $8,000, for “Trail Mix Art Show” juried exhibit focused on beauty of nature and the importance of protecting natural habitats throughout the world in partnership with the College of St. Benedicts and St. John’s University that include a guest speaker and artist reception. The Exhibit will be viewable November – December 2022 at The Whit Gallery in St. Cloud, MN and the Good Earth Coop in St. Joseph, MN.
31. Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $8,000, for “Young Artist Piano Camp”, a piano education, peer mentorship, and performance opportunities for young artist held in Summer 2022 at St. Cloud State University, 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 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.

**Event dates may change due to the current environment, visit aroundthecloud.org and organization websites  for recent updates.

Visit the website for more information www.centralmnartsboard.org or call the office at 320-968-4290 or toll free at 1-866-825-1471.

The Central Minnesota Arts Board Awards Public Art Grants


At the May 12, 2022, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $16,770 in Public Art Grants. The CMAB Public Art program provides funds for the completion of well-planned works of public art that are accessible to the public and supported by the community. An organization must provide a minimum of 25% in matching funds. Public Art Grants are provided through Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

The following were awarded:
1. Community Legacy Foundation, $6,770, for a large-scale hockey mural designed by artist Roger Reinardy and painted by community members of The Eagles Healing Nest, The Hockey Association, Alumni and hockey parents on the exterior of the Civic Arena in Sauk Centre, MN.

2. Monticello Arts Initiative (MontiArts), $10,000, for metal sculptor, Parker McDonald, to install a 12’-15’ sculpture of a small mouth bass at Ellison Park along the Mississippi in Monticello, MN.

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.

For more information about the Central MN Arts Board grant opportunities and services Contact Us or call the office at 320-968-4290 or toll free at 1-866-825-1471.