At the April 9, 2026, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $198,021 in support of twenty-four 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 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 this program 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.  Benton Stearns Education District, $2,398, in support of Arts in Action with artist, Lily Brutger who will work with students in a variety of art enrichment activities at Grafton School, Cold Spring, MN.
2.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $9,000, for the 2026 Youth Arts Initiative Winter Showcase featuring student work at Eastside Boys & Girls Club, Saint Cloud, MN.
3.  Buffalo Art Guild, $9,000, to present a series of artist lead workshops in visual arts at the Buffalo Area Community Center, Buffalo, MN.
4. Buffalo Community Theater, $9,000, to present The Wedding Singer Musical in Fall of 2026 at Discovery Elementary School Auditorium, Buffalo, MN.
5.  Dassel-Cokato Music Boosters, $8,995, in support of Jazzfest clinic for area high school students culminating in a community concert at Dassel-Cokato High School, Cokato, MN.
6.  Elk River High School, $9,000, in support of The Addams Family Theatre Intensive 5-week musical theatre residency for performance, and technical design culminating in community performances at Zabee Theatre, Elk River, MN.
7.  Foley Economic Development Committee, $9,000, for Artfest featuring visual and performing artists in August 2026 at Northern Hollow Winery, Foley, MN.
8.  Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $9,000, to support a high school artist designed and directed production for youth at Helgeson Learning Lab Theatre, Waite Park, MN.
9.  Great Northern Theatre Company, $9,000, to support the production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Summer 2026 at Roccori High School, Cold Spring, MN.
10.  Heijeu Arts, $9,000, in support of ArtSmarts Art Camp focused on Place, History, and Visual Storytelling with visiting artists Moira Villiard and Zip Alegria in August 2026 at Stearns History Museum, Saint Cloud, MN.
11.  Millstream Arts Festival, $2,700 in support of the Millstream Arts Festival featuring a variety of artists and performers held August 30, 2026, Saint Joseph, MN
12.  Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association, in support of the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival held in August 2026 at El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, MN. $9,000
13.  Minnesota Center Chorale, $8,300, in support of “Sing as You Are” one-day festival for community members to participate in singing a variety of short pieces together.
14.  Monticello Community Strings, $6,282 in support of string ensemble rehearsals and performance for all ages during Summer 2026 at Monticello School, Monticello, MN.
15.  Paramount Center for the Arts, $9,000, in support of a theatrical production school-day matinee of Black Angels Over Tuskegee February 2027 at Paramount Theater, Saint Cloud, MN.
16.  Parenting with Grace, Inc., $9,000, to support Paint It Out- Healing Through Art classes facilitated by artist Mary Zillmann for youth and adults
17.  Rum River Art Center, $9,000, for Parent and Child Outreach Arts Programming focused on visual arts for 2026 held at Great River Regional Libraries in Elk River and Saint Michael, MN.
18.  SOAR Regional Arts, $9,000, in support of the production and performance of an immersive Murder Mystery Experience in November 2026 at POUR Wine Bar and Bistro, Otsego, MN
19.  St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $7,346, in support of Leap Into Celebration concert with composer Gabriela Ortiz on April 25, 2026, at Ritsche Auditorium, Saint Cloud, MN.
20.  St. Michael-Albertville High School, $9,000, in support of Theater Day workshops led by local teaching artists for regional theatre students in August 2026 at STMA High School in Saint Michael, MN.
21. The Downtown Alliance, $9,000, in support of demonstrations, performances and marketing for the Art Crawls held in August 2026 and October 2026 in downtown Saint Cloud, MN.
22.  The St. John’s Boys’ Choir, $9,000, to support “Sing in the Summer Camp”, a 4-day camp in collaboration with Youth Choral of Central MN for 3rd-5th grade students in July 2026 at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, MN.
23.  Youth Chorale of Central MN, $9,000, for “A Choral Community” collaborative, multi-generational performance in November 2026 at Appollo High School, Saint Cloud, MN.
24. Veteran Resource & Enrichment Center, $9,000, to support “Warriors in Motion” event for Veteran artists in August 2026 at the Veteran Resource and Enrichment Center, Saint 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