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.

At the April 10, 2025, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $32,900 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 in support of arts-focused activities that increase Minnesotan’s access to the arts and celebrate diverse cultural expression. Funding for this grant program is provided through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund created by the Voters of Minnesota.

1.   Avon Hills Folk School, $5,000, to provide space and support Somali and community members to explore Somali song, dance, literature and culture through a public event in July 2025 at Avon Hills Folk School in Avon, MN.

2.   Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $5,000, to offer no cost Theatre Drama Workshops at partner organizations for underserved youth in central Minnesota.

3.   Higher Ground Church of God in Christ, $5,000, to support dance, music and children’s arts activities during 29th Annual Juneteenth Celebration held in June 2025 at Lake George Municipal Complex and Park in St. Cloud, MN.

4.   Internal Housing Assistant, $5,000, to support music, dance, poetry, storytelling, paintings and hand-crafted exhibits during Somali Week and Somali Independence Day held July 2025 at Lake George Municipal Complex and Park in St. Cloud, MN.

5.   Paramount Center for the Arts, $3,500, for artist Terrell X’avion to teach music workshops at three partner facilities that serve unhoused youth during summer 2025 in St. Cloud, MN.

6.   SOAR Regional Arts, $4,400, for SOAR Academy youth workshops focused on marine life and conservation led by the MN Department of Natural Resources and Sea Life staff in conjunction with the production of “SpongeBob the Musical” held in winter 2026 at St. Michael Town Center in St. Michael, MN.

7.   St. Cloud Area Senior Fun Singers, $5,000, for performances that include music, music history and comedy for communities of older adults in nursing homes, apartments, churches, senior centers and memory care units in the four-county area from May 2025 – September 2026.

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.

At the December 12, 2024, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $110,447 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. 1.   510 Art Lab, $9,500, for studio equipment upgrades and staff time to enhance marketing and outreach efforts.
   2.   Avon Hills Folk School, $10,000, in support of the part-time program and outreach coordinator position that contributes to staff capacity and organizational growth.
   3.   Buffalo Community Theater, $2,710, for updated laptop computers and accessories used for the ticketing system that will provide less wait time at the box office.
   4.   Combat To Creative, $8,630, for outreach, evaluation, and to enhance programming through equipment and supplies that support Creative Pathways for Veterans workshops.
   5.   Dassel-Cokato Music Boosters, $10,000, for the purchase of two synthesizer carts and to support hiring clinicians to coach staff and students.
   6.   Great River Chorale, $6,955 to support the Treble Choir and Operations Assistant position responsible for managing concert production details and choir personnel.
   7.   Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $9,997, to support the accessibility upgrades for the facility entrance and the Intimacy Director’s professional certification.
   8.   Lyricality, $9,735, in support of hiring Intercultural Development Inventory administrators to facilitate workshops with Lyricality Leaders.
   9.   Melrose Area Arts Council, $9,920, for equipment and software that supports administration and marketing efforts and legal counsel and accounting to assist with fiscal management.
   10.  Paramount Center for the Arts, $10,000, to support the hire of a full-time marketing director to lead, modernize and expand marketing efforts.
   11.  River City Rhythm, $8,200, in support of instrument and equipment upgrades used for performances.
   12.  St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $4,800, to support the Music Library Expansion through the purchase of sheet music by under-represented composers.
   13.  Youth Chorale of Central MN, $10,000, in support of expanding artistic staffing that will broaden programming and outreach.
3. 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.

At the October 10, 2024, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $210,746 in support of twenty-nine 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, 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.  510 Art Lab, $4,554, in support of community painting projects aimed at youth ages 5-18 using acrylic and watercolor. The Projects will be displayed in the community garden and Little Art library in Sauk Centre, MN.
2.   Avon Hills Folk School, $8,000, for two immersive Timber Framing for FLINTA workshops offered in summer 2025 in Avon, MN.
3.  Big Lake Schools Community Education, $8,000, in support of Big Lake High School’s 2025 Spring Musical and theatre equipment in Big Lake, MN.
4.   Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $8,000, for a Youth Arts Initiative’s 2025 Spring Showcase that features visual arts, dance, digital arts, fashion and sewing at three club locations in Saint Cloud, MN.
5.  Buffalo Community Orchestra, $8,000, to support “Fast Forward to the Future” concert featuring contemporary and diverse composers May 2025 in Buffalo, MN.
6.  Buffalo Community Theater, $8,000, for the Summer 2025 production of the musical “Urinetown” in Buffalo, MN.
7.  Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, $8,000, in support of “Music of the World: Symphonic Expressions” performance in Spring of 2025 in Sartell, MN.
8.  Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $8,000, in support of a Spring of 2025 community outreach and concert by the Mill City String Quartet with soprano Stacey Mastrian in Saint Cloud, MN.
9.  Community Legacy Foundation, $7,018, for a Soaring Eagle Mural 
lead by artist Roger Reinardy installed at the American Legion Post #67 in Sauk Centre, MN.
10.  Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture, $8,000, to support the Delano 2025 Sculpture Festival Walk that includes new sculptures, music, and an art market in Delano, MN.
11.  Delano Dramatic Company, $8,000, to support the productions of “Grace and Glorie” in December 2024 and “Billy Elliot” in July 2025 in Delano, MN.
12.  Elk River High School, $4,450, in support of Evening of the Arts community celebration showcasing student theatrical and musical performances, photography, fashion, pottery, paintings, jewelry and student art demonstrations held in Spring 2025 at Elk River High School, Elk River, MN.
13.  Great Northern Theatre Company, $8,000, for the Winter 2024 production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical” in Cold Spring, MN.
14.  Great River Chorale, $8,000, in support of two collaborative performances that will include winter-themed music accompaniment and narration for “The Gift of Winter” in Saint Joseph, MN and “Wintertide” in Saint Cloud, MN in December 2024.
15.  HLWW Theatre Arts Boosters, $8,000, for the presentation of “Guys and Dolls” in July 2025 at Laker Theatre in Howard Lake, MN.
16.  Independent Music Collaboration of Central MN, $7,000, in support of Project 37’s 2024-2025 Series of concerts featuring live music from diverse genres by local artists of all ages in Saint Cloud, MN.
17.  Lyricality, $8,000, in support of presenting “War Bonnet”, an Indigenous Anishinaabe/Ojibwe rock band in Saint Cloud, MN in Spring 2025.
18.  Melrose Area Arts Council, $5,560, in support of the Melrose Festival of the Arts showcasing the variety of arts represented by the community held in Spring 2025 in Melrose, MN.
19.  MontiArts, $8,000, in support of the 2025 MontiArts Glow Fest that will include building workshops for paper mâché balloons, LED swan wings and lanterns as well as an all-ages glow dance party and a parade in Winter 2025 in Monticello, MN.
20.  Paramount Center for the Arts, $8,000, for the Spring 2025 juried High School Art Exhibition that showcases student work from up to seventeen area high schools in Central Minnesota.
21.  Rum River Art Center, $8,000, to support Senior Art-Reach Programming for Older Adults Ages 55+ held at the Elk River Senior Center in Elk River, MN and the Great River Regional Library in St. Michael, MN offered December 2024 through September 2025.
22.  SOAR Regional Arts, $8,000, for the presentation of Broadway in the Park lead by teens ages 13-18 in Summer 2025 at Otsego Prairie Park in Otsego, MN.
23.  St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $8,000, for the “Timeless Symphonic Tapestries” performance that combine great symphonic works from a variety of periods, styles, and cultures in November 2024 at Rtsche Auditorium in Saint Cloud, MN.
24.  St. Michael-Albertville High School, $8,000, for composer Joshua Burniece, to write music for the winter one-act play and the spring production of Three Musketeers to enhance student learning and the artistic merit of the performances.
25.  STMA Music Boosters, $8,000, to support the Treble Choir Festival held in October 2024 that includes a master class with Lyyra, a full-time professional treble choir. The Treble Choir Festival will feature the University of Minnesota Women’s Chorus, See Change choirs and six STMA High School vocal ensembles including members of Ogni Voce, a choir comprised of special education students in Saint Michael, MN.
26.  Talahi Community School, $2,195, for the opportunity for Djenane Saint Juste to introduce third grade students to Haitian cultural heritage through music and dance at Talahi Community School in Saint Cloud, MN.
27.  The St. John’s Boys’ Choir, $8,000, for “A Ceremony of Carols” December 2024 performances held at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Saint Cloud, MN.
28.  wRight Ringers Handbell Ensemble, $3,969, in support of “Making Memories” a Spring 2025 collaborative performance with the Wright County Chamber Chorus held in Buffalo, MN.
29.  Youth Chorale of Central MN, $8,000, in support of the YCCM & Friends Choral Festival held in June 2025 that will include alumni, high school ensembles, community members and a full orchestra culminating in a performance in Sauk Rapids, 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.