At the December 11, 2020 meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded $91,575 in support of twenty 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: pandemic sustainability & diversity, equity & inclusion, artistic quality & merit, demonstrated need, outcomes & evaluation and ability to complete the proposal.
Organizations may apply for up to $5,000 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. 510 Art Lab, $5,000, for Veterans Pottery Project- curriculum and practical lab experience for Veterans residing at the Eagles Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, MN.
2. Albany Area Community/Senior Center Club, $875, to develop and present a one-day, Ukulele: from pick-up to performance class within the community of Albany, MN.
3. Art Experiment 56340, $5,000, to host “Art on a Roll” Art education program at Art in Motion on the Lake Wobegon Trail in Holdingford, MN.
4. Avon Hills Folk School, $5,000, for Youth Hand Camp artistic learning and experiences for children ages 8-12 within the natural setting of the Avon Hills in Avon, MN.
5. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $5,000, for the 2021 Youth Arts Initiative Spring Showcase: “Whatever It Takes to Create . . .” presentation and exhibit.
6. Buffalo Community Orchestra, $5,000, for “Scandinavian Postcards” concert in collaboration with the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag (TCNL), a Swedish “key fiddle” group affiliated with the American Swedish Institute.
7. Buffalo Community Theater, $5,000, for the production and performance of Neil Simon comedy “Barefoot in the Park” May 14-16 and May 21-23, 2021 at Discovery Auditorium in Buffalo, MN.
8. Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, $5,000, for “Shine Sing to Your Hearts Content” performance of music inspired by the art of voice spanning across different eras and focused on vocal-related music that have been influences on culture in Sartell, MN.
9. Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $5,000, Artaria String Quartet live virtual concert and community outreach in Saint Cloud and surrounding communities.
10. Elk River Public Arts Committee, $4,150, for “Slipstream”, a 10’ bronze, tempered glass, stainless-steel and verdigris sculpture produced by Milligan Studios that will be permanently installed at the intersections of Parrish Avenue and Main Street in downtown Elk River, MN.
11. Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $5,000, for a Teen Artist Project: Charlotte’s Web Play produced in an intimate space for very young audiences that will be digitally accessible.
12. Higher Ground Church of God in Christ, $1,550, for artist, Heidi Jeub to present “Colorful Reflections”, a biweekly studio program, for youth of Higher Works Collaborative from January to June, 2021 in Saint Cloud, MN.
13. MontiArts, $5,000, to issue a request for a proposal for a large sculpture to be installed East Bridge Park in Monticello, MN.
14. Paramount Center for the Arts, $5,000, for the presentation of the 2021 Juried High School Art Competition open to high schools in Central Minnesota.
15. Rose Hall Media Company DBA Lyricality, $5,000, for “Read Poetry Central MN 2021” program that will include “THIS IS WHERE”, a published volume of poems by Anishinaabekwe writer Louise K. Waakaa’igan, distributed along with a lesson plan for ESL teachers, video of the author reading and a Zoom Event.
16. SOAR Regional Arts, $5,000, for the production of SOAR Academy’s “Peter Pan, Jr.” in February 2021 at Saint Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, MN.
17. Unite Cloud, $5,000, to partner with artists Vatsalaa Jha and Heidi Jeub to facilitate Equity vs Equality research that will culminate in a final design for a portable art installation that will visit various locations in Summer and Fall 2021.
18. WACOSA, $5,000, to bring local artist, Dan Mondloch for “Individuals of All abilities want to enjoy the arts” where Dan will work directly with adults with severe cognitive and physical disabilities in the medium of acrylics. Paintings, chosen by the participants, will be developed into two mosaic wall murals installed as permanent fixtures in the WACOSA building in Waite Park, MN.
19. Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $5,000, for student Spring Recital performance presented with community mitigation guidelines on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Sauk Rapids Rice High School Performing Arts Center in Sauk Rapids, MN.
20. Youth Chorale of Central MN, $5,000, to produce “Requiem for the Living” concert in collaboration with an orchestra that will be live-streamed at the Paramount Center for the Arts on April 25, 2021.
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.