Community Arts Support Grants Awarded to Arts Organizations

by March 19, 2026 0

Community Arts Support Awardees

The Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB), at their March 12, 2026, meeting, awarded fifteen (15) Community Arts Support Grants totaling $139,332.

The CMAB Community Arts Support Program provides biennial grants for administration, operations, equipment purchases and to improve access and outreach to underserved groups. These unrestricted grants are awarded to nonprofit arts organizations that demonstrate efficient management and high-quality artistic programming.

Funding for this grant program is provided through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund created by the Voters of Minnesota.

Award recipients:

1. Buffalo Community Orchestra, $10,692 – Wright County
2. Buffalo Community Theater, $12,000 – Wright County
3. Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, $5,000 – Stearns County
4. Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $12,000 – Stearns County
5. Granite City Folk Society, $5,510 – Stearns County
6. Great Northern Theatre Company, $12,000 – Stearns County
7. Great River Chorale, $12,000 – Sherburne County
8. Independent Music Collaboration of Central MN, $12,000 – Stearns County
9. Melrose Area Arts Council, $5,560 – Stearns County
10. Minnesota Center Chorale, $6,570 – Stearns County
11. Sinclair Lewis Foundation, $5,000 – Stearns County
12. SOAR Regional Arts, $12,000 – Wright County
13. St. Cloud Area Senior Fun Singers, $5,000 – Stearns County
14. St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $12,000 – Stearns County
15. Youth Chorale of Central MN, $12,000 – Stearns County

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.

Arts Access Grants Awarded to Area Organizations

by March 18, 2026 0

At the March 12, 2026, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $10,000 in Arts Access Grants to area organizations.

The Arts Access Grant program provides up to $5,000 in funding to cultural community groups and nonprofit organizations for events and activities that engage underserved audiences and increase access to arts and cultural expression. Funding for this program is made possible by the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

The following organizations were awarded:
• Lyricality, $5,000, to support a writing workshop led by Dralandra Larkins for local Black/African American writers focused on generating new work to be presented during Juneteenth 2026 at Lake George in St. Cloud, MN.
• Holdingford American Legion, $5,000, in support of eight concerts featuring Olde Tyme and traditional country music and folk-dance performances April through December 2026 at the Holdingford American Legion in Holdingford, 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.

Teaching Artist Grant Awarded to Local Artist

by March 18, 2026 0

At the March 12, 2026, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded Teaching Artist Cristina Seaborn, $2,500, to conduct a residency for students at North and South Junior High and Kennedy Community Schools. Students will learn arrangement of melody, rhythms, and chord progressions while including singing and drumming with string orchestra arrangements of traditional African folk songs.

The Teaching Artist Grant (TAG) 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.

CMAB Awards Development Grants to Arts Organizations

by December 17, 2025 0

At the December 11, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $35,578 in Arts Organization Development Grants.
The CMAB Arts Organization Development program provides funds up to $10,000 to support activities and purchases that contribute to organizational sustainability, growth and improvement of nonprofit arts organizations in Region 7W. 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.  Annandale Art and Textile Center in Annandale, MN, was awarded $3,554 to purchase and install an “ADA Power Door Operator” door opener for guests, a current weaving employee, future weavers and class participants to independently enter or exit the building in Annandale, MN.
2.  Avon Hills Folk School in Avon, MN, was awarded $10,000, in support of a part-time Program Director position to increase capacity, organizational growth and programing.
3.  Great River Educational Arts Theatre in Waite Park, MN, was awarded $9,720, for immersive training sessions focused on staff development and evaluation for equity, diversity, inclusion, and intercultural competency in the workplace.
4.  Paramount Center for the Arts in Saint Cloud, MN, was awarded $10,000, for the upgrade and redesign of the organization’s website to simplify navigation, improve staff and visitor accessibility, and boost engagement.
5.  The St. John’s Boys’ Choir in Collegeville, MN, was awarded $2,304, in support of purchasing a new portable keyboard with built-in speakers for flexibility in performance at locations.

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.

CMAB Awards Teaching Artist Grant to Area Artist

by November 17, 2025 0

At the November 13, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded Teaching Artist Kelly Meyer, $2,500, for Creative Connections: Nature-Inspired Art for Well-Being residency at Annandale Care Center in Annandale, MN. The residency will provide elderly adults in assisted living and memory care settings the opportunity to engage in artmaking activities that increase focus, confidence and connection.

The Teaching Artist Grant (TAG) 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 Artist in Residence Grants to area organizations

by October 16, 2025 0

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.

The CMAB awards Regional Project Grants

by October 15, 2025 0

At the October 9, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $167,515 in support of twenty-one art 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 Artistic Merit & Quality, Demonstrated Need & Access, Equity & Collaboration, and Ability & Project Readiness.

Organizations, schools, local government, and community groups may apply for up to $9,000 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. 510 Art Lab, $8,064, to support three levels of fabric art classes lead by Ginny Thomas including upgrades to the fabric art department that improve the working environment in Sauk Center, MN.
2. Annandale Care Center, $8,100 for artist Sarah Drake to lead a mural-making project that integrates creativity, skill, and vision into expressions of belonging for Care Center residents in Annandale, MN.
3. Big Lake Schools Community Education, $8,505 in support of the production of a Spring Musical that includes theatre sound and lighting upgrades in Big Lake, MN.
4. Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $9,000 in support of Isidore String Quartet concert and community outreach in Spring 2026 at three St. Cloud area location.
5. Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture, $9,000, for the Delano Sculpture Walk and Festival that includes new sculptures, music and an art market held June 2026 in Delano, MN
6. Delano Sesquicentennial, $2,916, in support of the creation of a community mosaic mural with artist LeAnna Wurzer to be installed by the Sesquicentennial Heritage Foot Path near the sculpture garden in Delano, MN.
7. Delano Dramatic Company, $9,000, for the productions of “Tuesdays with Morrie” in December 2025 and “The Music Man” in July in Delano, MN.
8. Elk River High School, $4,265, in support of showcasing teen artists, musicians, dancers, poets, writers, actors and photographers of all abilities for the community in Elk River, MN.
9. Great Northern Theatre Company, $9,000 for the production and performance of “Anastasia: The Musical” December 2025 in Cold Spring, MN.
10. Great River Chorale, $9,000, for the performances of “On This Silent Night” contemporary choral music accompanied by poetry narration December 2025 in St. Joseph and St. Cloud, MN.
11. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $9,000 to produce and present six performances of “Anon(ymous)” by Naomi Iizuka May 2026 in Waite Park, MN.
12. Minnesota Center Chorale, $7,615, for “The Peace of Wild Things” concert focused on nature preservation March 2026 in Sartell, MN.
13. MontiArts, $9,000 in support of GlowFest community winter parade in collaboration with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater featuring glow in the dark lanterns February 2026 in Monticello, MN.
14. Paramount Center for the Arts, $9,000 for the 2026 Juried High School Arts Exhibition to showcase the creativity and artwork of Central Minnesota youth April 2026 in St. Cloud, MN.
15. Rum River Art Center, $9,000 in support of the Senior Art-Reach programs that bring a variety of visual art mediums to adults 55+ in Elk River, Otsego and St. Michael, MN.
16. St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $9,000, to present Children’s Holiday Concert and Festival of Frolic and Reflection featuring tenor, Wesley Dunnagan preceded in the lobby with performances by local student musicians December 2025 in St. Cloud, MN.
17. Stearns History Museum, $5,000, in support of free Letterpress print events lead by artist Mary Bruno for community members to explore the history and art of printmaking during 2026 in St. Cloud, MN.
18. STMA Music Boosters, $9,000, in support of Cantus Choral Festival that includes group masterclasses and coaching sessions for choir students culminating in performances with Cantus and local choirs in Spring 2026 in St. Michael, MN.
19. Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $9,000, to enhance the public performances for the Spring Gala and School of Rock Camp & Concert during 2026 in Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud, MN.
20. Wright County Chamber Chorus, $6,050, to perform the Music of John Rutter, featuring Rutter’s Magnificat with orchestra and guest soloist November 2025 in Buffalo, MN.
21. Youth Chorale of Central MN, $9,000, to present “Jubilate Deo” in collaboration with a 40-piece orchestra and five choral youth ensembles April 2026 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.

CMAB Awards Artist Career Development Grants to area artists

by September 17, 2025 0

At the September 11, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $37,700 in Artist Career Development grants to artists in Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties.

The CMAB Artist Career Development program provides up to $4,000 in funding to support projects, training opportunities, creative time, purchases and other activities that assist artists in making the next step in their creative development and artistic careers. Funding for this program is made possible by the McKnight Foundation.

The following applicants were awarded:
1. Deborah Russell, Clear Lake, $4,000, to support the transition from hybrid published non-fiction to traditionally published fiction author.
2. JD Jorgenson, Kimball, $4,000, to pursue a new body of two- and three-dimensional work using wild clay ceramics and salvaged, recycled or repurposed materials.
3. Desi Murphy, Saint Cloud, $4,000, to create a new body of work focused on minimalism through sculptures and installations.
4. Jessica Heusinkveld, Saint Cloud, $1,829, to purchase studio safety equipment for firing and clay dust reduction.
5. Lisa Meyers McClintick, Saint Cloud, $4,000, for consultation in developing nature journaling workshops, workshop material and marketing.
6. Laura Ruprecht, Saint Cloud, $4,000, to pursue work on a new small-scale paper mosaic series during medical leave.
7. Margaret Hanson, Saint Joseph, $4,000, in support of time, materials, and documentation needed to complete a five-part painting series exploring the four structural forms of the feminine psyche.
8. MacKenna Hanson, Saint Joseph, $4,000, to explore and demonstrate historical artistic techniques for making rabbitskin glue, half-chalk ground, egg tempera, and distemper paints to raise awareness of homemade and folk painting traditions.”
9. Tim Johnson, Sauk Rapids, $3,871, to fund equipment that will expand the scope, quality and detail of astrophotography.
10. Kayla Boeckman, St Joseph, $4,000, in support of skill development, materials and supplies to build a cohesive body of oil paintings.

A panel of volunteers read and score each application using three criteria: 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.

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 Arts Access Grant to Area Organizations

by September 17, 2025 0

At the September 11, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $10,000 in Arts Access Grant to area organizations.

The Arts Access Grant program provides up to $5,000 in funding to cultural community groups and nonprofit organizations for events and activities that engage underserved audiences and increase access to arts and cultural expression. Funding for this program is made possible by the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

The following organizations were awarded:
1. Ambassadors of Culture, $5,000, for a community event that celebrates culture and connection through live performances, music, activities, cultural booths and resources on August 31, 2025, at Lake George in St. Cloud, MN.
2. Fe y Justicia, $5,000, in support of live music, dance, art, and traditional cultural clothing during the Hispanic Heritage Celebration held September 13, 2025, at Lake George 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 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.

CMAB Awards Teaching Artist Grants to Area Artist

by June 23, 2025 0

At the June 12, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a $2,000 Teaching Artist Grant to Tracy Rittmueller to conduct an historical fiction writing course for adults at the Benton County Historical Society and Museum.

The Teaching Artist Grant (TAG) 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/teaching-artist-grant or call the office at 320-968-4290 or toll free at 1-866-825-1471.