Today, the City of Minneapolis announced $700,000 in funding to empower local artists, creative entrepreneurs, community place makers, and cultural organizations working to enhance community and quality of life through culture and creativity . In total, the 2025 Cultural District Arts Fund will grant 65 awards across the city’s seven cultural districts.
“Minneapolis is a city where culture, creativity, and community go hand in hand—and the Cultural District Arts Fund is proof of that,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “From dance and storytelling to puppetry and public art, these 65 projects reflect the best of who we are. Thank you to our Arts Department for finding unique ways to bring the arts to life in every corner of our city.”
“Minneapolis thrives on the energy of its vibrant creative community, and this fund represents the City’s commitment to empowering artists and initiatives that are shaping a brighter, more inspired future for all who call this city home.” said Ben Johnson, Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs.
A dynamic portfolio of art projects is supported by this fund, including funding for new/existing festivals, cultural venues/spaces, supporting pop-up projects and creative activations. The 65 selected projects will showcase a vibrant tapestry of community engagement, artistic expression, and cultural celebration across the seven Minneapolis Cultural Districts: Lowry Avenue North, 38th Street, Cedar Avenue South, Central Avenue, East Lake Street, Franklin Avenue East, and West Broadway.
Highlights of the funded projects include:
- 38th Street Projects: Dance and music performances blending cross-cultural partnerships, hands-on iron-casting workshops, piñata parties, sauna rituals, and storytelling-based workshops focused on trust and healing.
- Cedar Avenue South: Innovative performances combining shadow puppets with live music. Afghan and Somali Heritage Celebrations through workshops, concerts, and youth art & fashion.
- Central Avenue Projects: Music gatherings at Dutch Bar, art market, sci-fi/fantasy arts convention, and Chinese folk demonstrations. Creative workshops include beading, crafts, poetry and writing month.
- East Lake Street Projects: Community involvement in Urban Art Village and winter festival builds, bilingual puppet shows, live choral music performances, and miniature Brazilian puppetry.
- Franklin Avenue East Projects: Large-scale gathering with art-making activities for families. Native traditional arts workshops, cultural storytelling, and civic engagement events.
- Lowry Avenue North Projects: Placemaking & Public Art including sculptural installations, pop-up music festivals, and open mic series supporting local creativity.
- West Broadway Projects: Showcasing immersive theater performances, youth programming, film screenings and participatory dancing events promoting health and community.
A full list of award recipients can be found on the fund's website.
The Arts & Cultural Affairs Department exists to advance, support, stimulate, and promote a diverse and active arts and cultural environment that recognizes and draws on the full potential of Minneapolis’ artists and arts organizations, reflects, and responds to civic concerns and aspirations, and enriches the lives of all people who live in, work in and visit Minneapolis. More information about the department’s work can be found on the Arts & Cultural affairs website.