At the Dec. 12, 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:
• 510 Art Lab, $9,500, for studio equipment upgrades and staff time to enhance marketing and outreach efforts.
• 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.
• 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.
• Combat To Creative, $8,630, for outreach, evaluation, and to enhance programming through equipment and supplies that support Creative Pathways for Veterans workshops.
• Dassel-Cokato Music Boosters, $10,000, for the purchase of two synthesizer carts and to support hiring clinicians to coach staff and students.
• Great River Chorale, $6,955 to support the Treble Choir and Operations Assistant position responsible for managing concert production details and choir personnel.
• Great River Educational Arts Theatre, $9,997, to support the accessibility upgrades for the facility entrance and the Intimacy Director’s professional certification.
• Lyricality, $9,735, in support of hiring Intercultural Development Inventory administrators to facilitate workshops with Lyricality Leaders.
• 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.
• Paramount Center for the Arts, $10,000, to support the hire of a full-time marketing director to lead, modernize and expand marketing efforts.
• River City Rhythm, $8,200, in support of instrument and equipment upgrades used for performances.
• St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra, $4,800, to support the Music Library Expansion through the purchase of sheet music by under-represented composers.
• Youth Chorale of Central MN, $10,000, in support of expanding artistic staffing that will broaden programming and outreach.