The City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department announced a new funding initiative to boost the cultural identity and creative capacity of the city’s diverse arts communities. The Cultural Districts Arts Fund will support arts advocacy and community-building opportunities for local artists, creative entrepreneurs and arts organizations through a series of financial awards.
The Cultural Districts Arts Fund is available in seven designated Cultural Districts across Minneapolis including Lowry Avenue North and West Broadway. The fund supports three distinct programs: The Cultural District Ambassador Program provides one award per district of $15,000 for a 12-month term (ambassadors will be charged with leading district efforts and use the award money for any related expenses). The Pop-Up Art & Culture Activations Program offers up to five awards per district, each amounting to $5,000 for a 12-month term. And the Festivals & Cultural Spaces Activation Program grants three or more awards per district, each worth up to $16,700 for a 12-month term.
This new initiative aligns with the cultural districts policy found in the Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan. It will empower community-based ambassadors, support temporary arts activations, and bolster cultural festivals, events and spaces, all with the goal of building a more inclusive, vibrant and equitable future for Minneapolis.
Applicants from all disciplines, including visual, performing, literary, media, culinary, digital and public arts, as well as design, craft and non-traditional mediums, are encouraged to apply.
Applications must be submitted by July 26 at 4:30 p.m. A panel of ACA staff, local artists and arts administrators will evaluate applications in early August and notify winners a few weeks later.