City of Minneapolis seeking neighborhood groups, artists for community funding

February 6, 2026
Open Streets Minneapolis

As the City of Minneapolis looks forward to warmer days filled will community fun, we’re excited to announce several funding opportunities to help bring some of that fun to life. The City is excited to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for this summer's Open Streets Minneapolis events. In addition, two Cultural Districts Art Fund programs are now accepting applications for creative, community activations from June 2026 through May 2027.  

Open Streets Minneapolis 

Open Streets Minneapolis transforms major City streets into car-free places to grow community connections, stir interest in local business and inspire healthy living by encouraging people to move around.  

The City is soliciting proposals from community event organizers to coordinate and implement up to two Open Streets events each. In addition to in-kind services, the City will also provide up to $40,000 for expenses for each event. Proposals are due Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. CST.  

New for the 2026 season, the City is expanding the proposal process to allow organizers to select from several event dates and routes around the City. Eligible routes include:  

  • Lowry Avenue (between Penn Avenue & Lyndale Avenue)
  • West Broadway (between Penn Avenue & Lyndale Avenue)
  • Central Avenue (between 26th Avenue & Broadway) 
  • Hennepin Avenue and 1st Avenue NE (between Main Street & 5th Street), with 2nd Street, 4th Street, and 5th Street (between Hennepin Avenue & 1st Avenue). 
  • Glenwood Avenue (between Vincent Avenue & Royalston Avenue)
  • Franklin Avenue E (between Chicago Avenue & 26th Avenue)
  • Lake Street E (between 1st Ave & West River Parkway)
  • Lyndale Avenue (between Franklin & 42nd Street)
  • Nicollet Avenue (between Lake Street & 46th Street)
  • Cedar Avenue (between 15th Avenue & 6th Street) with Riverside Avenue (between Cedar Avenue & 19th Avenue) 
  • Hennepin Avenue (between W Franklin Avenue & W 36th Street) 

Since the City launched Open Streets in 2011, more than 60 events have brought more than 750,000 people to different areas of town to enjoy all that the City of Minneapolis has to offer. In 2025, the City co-hosted three successful Open Streets events, partnering with the Audubon Neighborhood Association on Central Ave., the West Bank Business Association on Cedar and Riverside Aves., and the West Broadway Business Coalition on W. Broadway. 

Prospective organizers with questions can contact: OpenStreets@minneapolismn.gov 

Cultural Districts Arts Fund 

Two programs with the Cultural District Arts Fund (CDAF) are now accepting applications. The Festivals & Cultural Spaces Activation Program  which grants three or more awards per cultural district, each worth up to $16,700 for a 12-month term. The Pop-Up Art & Culture Activations Program  offers up to five awards per district, each amounting to $5,000 for a 12-month term.  

Both programs are encouraging proposals that respond to immediate community needs in 2026. Funding prioritizes community-driven, publicly accessible engaging arts projects that provide uplifting support, foster creative place-making, and strengthen safety, connection, and resilience within the city’s seven cultural districts.  

Last year, the City of Minneapolis provided approximately $700,000 for 65 awards through the CDAF. More information on the Cultural District Arts Fund can be found on the program’s website. Interested applicants may also RSVP for a virtual information session which will be  February 9,at 2:00 PM. Interested participants may RSVP online. Applications are due February 27, by 4:30pm CST.  

Prospective applicants with questions can contact: mplsaca@minneapolismn.gov

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