At the May 11, 2023, meeting, the Central MN Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $214,772 in support of 30 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 and sustainability, artistic merit and quality, demonstrated need, outcomes and 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:
(Tri-County News has listed those nearest to our readership area.) A full list is available at www.centralmnartsboard.org.
• 510 Art Lab, $5,400, to support the addition of Fabric Art programming to offer classes and demonstrations for the community in the Fall of 2023.
• Anna Marie’s Alliance, $7,750, Hope for Survivors project led by artist Laura Ruprecht where participants create individual mandalas which will be incorporated and installed into a finished mural to create a warm and welcoming transition from the entry to inside the shelter.
• Avon Hills Folk School, $6,389, to provide a multi-day opportunity Adult Artist and Maker Camp for local and regional artists and makers in September 2023 in St. Joseph.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central MN, $8,000, to support the Youth Arts Initiative arts programming that empowers youth through intentional projects on diversity, equity and inclusion with a showcase and exhibit in Winter 2023 in St. Cloud.
• Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, $8,000, for students to perform musical works that have inspired many composers, authors, and screen writers themed “Tales of Time: Myths & Legends” in Fall 2023.
• Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, $8,000, for BPR Trio & Sybarite5 concerts and related community outreach activities in Fall of 2023 in St. Cloud.
• Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $8,000, to support a youth-led theatre production and performance of “A Year with Frog and Toad” in October 2023 in Waite Park.
• Higher Works Collaborative, $6,000, to support a 10-event Spoken Word series “Auditory -Perception of Human Emotions” in different locations throughout St. Cloud.
• Independent Music Collaboration of Central MN, $8,000, to support Project 37 that provides the tools and sober-friendly space necessary for musicians of all ages to perform in a Showcase Series during 2023 in St. Cloud and surrounding communities.
• Millstream Arts -Festival, $7,000, to support the outdoor juried Millstream Arts Festival featuring work by local and regional artists and musicians Aug. 27, 2023, in St. Joseph.
• Minnesota Center Chorale, $6,200, for a choral concert entitled “Minnesota Made: Celebrating 50 Years” on May 21, 2023, at the Paramount Theater in downtown St. Cloud.
• Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society, $8,000, to support Art Fair in the Gardens that features art, artists, and musicians July 20, 2023, at Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud.
• Paramount Center for The Arts, $8,000, for Water Street Dance Milwaukee to lead a master-class with Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio and present a public performance in January 2024 at the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud.
• Quiet Oaks Hospice House, $7,825, to support the Heart Held Hands program where photographer Judy Goering captures moments of holding hands to provide framed photos for each family at no cost.
• Sinclair Lewis Foundation, $7,760, for the 2023 Writers Conference that includes a panel discussion, keynote talk, and small group presentations in person and virtually October 2023 in Sauk Centre.
• St. Cloud State University, $8,000, to support the Lemonade Concert & Art Fair that showcases local artists and performances June 22, 2023, on the SCSU campus in St. Cloud.
• St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $8,000, for “Life Cycles” concert that consists of music connected to different views on the cycle of life and death held Oct. 28, 2023, at Ritsche Auditorium in St. Cloud.
• Stearns History Museum, $8,000, for an Art Collection Collaboration organizational framework that involves gathering and archiving of artists’ work that have a connection to Stearns County.
• Wirth Center for the Performing Arts, $4,675, to support “School of Rock” for students in grades 6-12 focused on all aspects of being a musician that includes a performance in August 2023 at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud.
• Youth Chorale of Central MN, $7,250, for a “A Choral Community” that gathers local vocal ensembles to the same stage in a single performance in Fall 2023 at Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany.
About the Central Minnesota Arts Board
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.