Increase access to the arts across Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties by providing grants, professional development, and services to artists, arts organizations, schools, local government and communities.
Focus Areas
Individual artist supportArtist career developmentArts educationTeaching artist roster/residenciesPublic artProject/event fundingOrganizational developmentStudent arts scholarships
Who They Fund
community-based arts organizations (nonprofits)individual artists (residency recipients)general public / local community audiencessmall or emerging arts groups needing capacity support
About Central Minnesota Arts Board
Central Minnesota Arts Board combines community arts support with artist residencies, public art, and organizational development across Region 7W and nearby counties. Recent grants show a strong emphasis on recurring support for local arts groups, schools, and municipal partners, alongside project funding for performances and public art work. The board’s grantmaking also includes individual artist awards and scholarships, which places both institutions and artists within the same local arts system.
Among the largest recent awards, the board gave $37,348 to Delano Area Council for Arts & Culture for Project Grants and a Public Art Grant, and $36,000 to Chamber Music Society of St Cloud for Project Grants, Community Arts Support, and Organizational Development. Those awards reflect a pattern of combining project funding with capacity-building support. Other large grants went to St Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Soar Regional Arts, Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota, and Buffalo Community Theater, indicating sustained support for organizations working in music, theater, and community arts programming.
The board’s active programs show a mix of open application grants for organizations, schools, local government, community groups, and individual artists. It also supports arts access, student scholarships, and artist-led learning through residency models.
What Central Minnesota Arts Board Funds
In community arts and public programming, Central Minnesota Arts Board supports a wide range of local projects. The City of Monticello, acting as fiscal agent for Montiarts, received $30,050 in 2025 for Project Grants, a Public Art Grant, and an Artist in Residency Grant, showing how the board combines event support, public art, and artist engagement in one funding relationship.
Arts organizations also receive capacity-related help. Soar Regional Arts was awarded $25,200 in 2025 for Project Grants and Community Arts Support, while Buffalo Community Theater received $33,096 in 2024 for Project Grants, Community Arts Support, and Organizational Development. Those awards point to a funding model that supports both programming and organizational stability.
The board also funds education-linked arts work. College of St Benedict received $22,774 in 2025 for a Project Grant and a Public Art Grant, connecting higher-education settings to public-facing arts activity.
How Central Minnesota Arts Board Gives
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$770K
Total Assets
$580K
Total Revenue
$1.5M
Total Expenses
$1.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $8K and $21K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$21K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
LESLIE LECUYER
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Deep Analysis
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project-based supportcapacity building / organizational developmentcommunity arts strengtheningpublic art commissioningartist residencies / individual artist support
Topics
community arts programmingpublic art installation and placemakingartist-in-residence programsorganizational capacity building for arts nonprofitsarts access and audience development
Typical grant size falls at a median of $10,118, with the 25th percentile at $8,000 and the 75th percentile at $20,940. The recent grant list shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including St Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Society of St Cloud, Soar Regional Arts, Buffalo Community Theater, Paramount Center for the Arts, and Great River Educational Arts Theatre. That points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. Central Minnesota Arts Board is a regular funder, and its active programs are all listed as accepting unsolicited applications.
Where Central Minnesota Arts Board Makes Grants
Grantmaking is local and entirely within Minnesota: 100% of grants in the recipient-country distribution go to U.S. recipients, and 100% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, Minnesota. Recent awards are concentrated in St Cloud, Buffalo, Monticello, St Michael, and Waite Park, with Delano, Avon, St Joseph, and Sauk Rapids also appearing in the recent list. The program geography also names Benton County, Sherburne County, and Stearns County, with Region 7W used across multiple offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Central Minnesota Arts Board
What kinds of organizations and people does Central Minnesota Arts Board support?
The board supports nonprofit arts organizations, schools, local government, community groups, individual artists, and students. Its active programs include Community Arts Support, Arts Access Grant, Student Arts Scholarship, Projects, Events and Festivals, Artist in Residence, Public Art Grant, Arts Organization Development, and Individual Artist Award.
Does Central Minnesota Arts Board accept unsolicited applications?
Yes. The active programs listed for the board are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, including Community Arts Support, Arts Access Grant, Student Arts Scholarship, Projects, Events and Festivals, Artist in Residence, Public Art Grant, Arts Organization Development, and Individual Artist Award.
What is the typical grant size?
The typical grant size is $8,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,118 at the median, and $20,940 at the 75th percentile. Specific program caps also include $2,000 for the Student Arts Scholarship, up to $3,500 for artist residency and individual artist awards, up to $9,000 for project grants, and up to $10,000 for arts organization development.
Which places receive the most support?
Recent grants go entirely to Minnesota recipients, with St Cloud, Buffalo, Monticello, St Michael, Waite Park, Delano, Avon, St Joseph, and Sauk Rapids appearing in the recent-grants list. The active program geography also centers on Region 7W, Benton County, Sherburne County, and Stearns County.
Does the board give repeat grants to the same recipients?
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat awards across multiple years to St Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Society of St Cloud, Soar Regional Arts, Buffalo Community Theater, Paramount Center for the Arts, Great River Educational Arts Theatre, Buffalo Community Orchestra, Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra, and City of Monticello as fiscal agent for Montiarts.
Latest 990 Filing
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Central Minnesota Arts Board that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses in 21 days (Sep 2, 2026)Award: Up to $9K
Project Grant
arts-focused eventsprojectsevents+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants must serve Region 7W residents and be located within Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties. Minnesota nonprofit 501(c)(3), schools, and local government outside Region 7W may apply by demonstrating two years of established service within Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations, nonprofit organizations that do not have arts as a primary focus, community groups with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship, public schools, local government entities, and out-of-region nonprofit 501(c)(3), schools, or local government with required service history.
Deadline: Round 1: Wed., September 2, 2026. Round 2: Wed., February 24, 2027. Draft review deadlines: Aug. 12, 2026 and Feb. 10, 2027.
organizational developmentcapacity buildingarts organization sustainability+1 more
Who can apply: Organizations must serve Region 7W residents and be located within Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations, arts groups with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship requesting support for becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and arts affiliates operating as a distinct arts-focused program within a Region 7W public or nonprofit 501(c)(3).
Deadline: Application deadline: Wed., October 21, 2026. Draft review deadline: Wed., September 30, 2026. Board review: Thurs., December 10, 2026.
Who can apply: Applicants must serve Region 7W residents and be located within Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties. Minnesota nonprofit 501(c)(3), schools, and local government outside Region 7W may apply by demonstrating two years of established service within Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations, nonprofit organizations without arts as a primary focus, community groups with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship, public schools, and local government entities. A 10% financial match is required.
Deadline: FY26 application deadlines: Rnd 1: Wed., September 2, 2026; Rnd 2: Wed., February 24, 2027. Draft review deadlines: Rnd 1: Wed., August 12, 2026; Rnd 2: Wed., February 10, 2027.
arts accesscultural expressionunderserved audiences+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be located in and serve Region 7W. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations, cultural nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that do not have arts as a primary focus, and cultural community groups with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship.
Deadline: Applications accepted July 1, 2026 through March 19, 2027; submit more than 60 days before activities start.
artist learningprofessional developmenttraining+3 more
Who can apply: Artists at least 18 years of age; current resident of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County; resident of Minnesota for a minimum of six months prior to application; U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.
Deadline: Applications accepted July 1, 2026 through May 21, 2027 of the fiscal year.
artist residenciesarts educationcreative learning+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants must serve Region 7W residents and be located within Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, community groups with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship, public schools, and local government entities.
Deadline: Application deadline: Thurs., September 17, 2026. Draft review deadline: Wed., September 2, 2026. Board review: Thurs., October 8, 2026.
public arttemporary public artpermanent public art+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants must serve Region 7W residents and be located within Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, community groups with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship, schools, and local government entities.
Deadline: Application deadline: Wed., March 31, 2027. Draft review deadline: Wed., March 10, 2027. Board review: Thurs., May 13, 2027.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Recent Grants
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
Recipient
Location
Amount
Year
Purpose
AVON HILLS FOLK SCHOOL
AVON, MN
$40,478
2026
PROJECT GRANTS, COMMUNITY ARTS SUPPORT GRANT, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT & ARTS ACCESS GRANT
CITY OF MONTICELLO (FISCAL AGENT FOR MONTIARTS)
MONTICELLO, MN
$38,472
2026
PROJECT GRANTS, PUBLIC ART GRANT, & ARTIST IN RESIDENCY GRANT
YOUTH CHORALE OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA
ST CLOUD, MN
$36,000
2026
PROJECT GRANTS, COMMUNITY ARTS SUPPORT GRANT & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT
ST CLOUD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
ST CLOUD, MN
$30,800
2026
PROJECT GRANTS, COMMUNITY ARTS SUPPORT GRANT & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT
SOAR REGIONAL ARTS
ST MICHAEL, MN
$30,400
2026
PROJECT GRANTS, COMMUNITY ARTS SUPPORT GRANT & ARTS ACCESS GRANT