The City of Minneapolis is awarding dozens of arts, culture and dance organizations $1.05 million in funding to promote community-driven projects throughout the community. The Cultural District Arts Fund initiative and the Bridge Fund for Dance is part of the City’s commitment to sparking creativity and cultural connectivity for a thriving community.
“Arts and culture are a huge part of what makes Minneapolis feel like Minneapolis,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “The artists, dancers, and cultural organizations behind this work bring energy and creativity into every corner of our city. Whether it’s a neighborhood performance, a cultural celebration, or a major festival, these investments help keep Minneapolis a place where people feel connected and inspired.”
Bridge Fund for Dance
In its second year of the program, the Bridge Fund supports the local dance community by giving $450,000 to choreographers, dance companies, producers and performing arts organizations in Minneapolis and across the state. The goal is to strengthen the dance scene and bring more artists to the area. The Bridge Fund is divided into three categories: presentation support for new or expanded showcases, development and research support for exploration of new ideas or approaches, and production and tech support to enhance the final elements of a performance. The 2026 recipients of the Bridge Fund for Dance are:
- Afrocontigbo – for six African diasporic choreographers’ work
- Ananya Dance Theatre – for a new premiere work
- Brazil Arts Twin Cities – for a dance and film showcase
- Devised Arts – for a six-works concert at Cowles Center
- Herbert Johnson III – for a hip-hop production with 10 artists
- Hollywood Studio of Dance – for a young dancer showcase
- Ibimina Thompson – for an interdisciplinary work of voguing, film, DJing and projection
- Vie Boheme – for a Southern Theatre piece
- Minnesota Dance Theatre – for a student production of “The Nutcracker”
- Ragamala Dance – for the Minnesota premiere of “Ananta, The Eternal”
- Red Eye Theater – for an improvised duet
- Ruby Josephine Dance Theater – for a re-imagining of “Ophelia”
- The Arts Nest – for a downtown Cowles Center dance showcase
- Threads Dance Project – for a 15th anniversary premiere event
- zAmya Theater Project – for eight site-specific movement pieces across downtown
- Zenon Dance Company and School – for a showcase of four works at the Cowles
- Asociacion Cultural Kuyayki Peru – for a three-week Afro-Peruvian residency
- Barak ade Soleil – for an event with choreography and poetic language
- Destiny Anderson – for a three-week research residency on Black queer nightlife
- Doma Dance Theater – for a dance-theater residency
- Gabrielle Abram – for a dance-theater residency
- Joan A. Smith – for a dance piece with five dancers
- Valerie Oliveiro – for a multi-year dance series
"These funds represent our commitment to and investment in our shared creative future and the essential role artists play in the civic life of our city,” said Director Ben Johnson, Arts & Cultural Affairs for the City of Minneapolis. “The artists and organizations supported through these programs represent the extraordinary creativity, cultural richness and distinct identity that define Minneapolis. While the demand for support continues to far exceed available resources, the impact of these investments is unmistakable. This funding is strengthening artists, uplifting neighborhoods, amplifying diverse cultural voices and fostering a more connected, vibrant and resilient Minneapolis community.”
Cultural Districts Arts Fund (CDAF)
This year, the CDAF awarded $595,000 to local artists, arts advocates and cultural service organizations to bring arts activities to Minneapolis’ seven cultural districts. The awardees will use these funds through May 2027 in two categories: Pop-Up Art & Culture Activations and Festival & Cultural Spaces Activation. Priority is given to city-based artists whose work centers on care, healing and community well-being. The 2026 recipients are:
- Central Avenue – Ward 1
- Chris Pennington
- Pilllar Forum
- IamAnishinaabe
- Sam Aros-Mitchell
- Public Functionary
- Ernesto Chongo
- Lush Lounge and Theater
- Daron Walker/Miki Mosman
- Sean Phillips
- Eastside Co-op
- Lowry Avenue North – Wards 4 and 5
- Nuestra Lucha MN
- Jovonta Patton
- Shanene Herbert
- Common Endeavors
- Asian Media Access
- The Salvation Army
- MN Black Authors Expo
- Geno Okok
- Peb Lub Neej Women’s Food and Medicinal Sovereignty Cooperative
- Xu Qian Music Center
- West Broadway – Ward 5
- Hearts Healing Hearts CPR
- Crystal Sokuu
- Freedom Flow – Juneteenth
- Black Women’s Wealth Alliance
- TruArtSpeaks
- Lundstrom Performing Arts Center
- Vie Boheme
- Plymouth Christian Youth Center
- Peace Madimutsa
- West Broadway Business and Area Coalition
- Cedar Avenue South – Ward 6
- Low and High Presents
- The Cedar Cultural Center
- FinnFest USA Inc
- Afghan Cultural Society of MN
- The Qalanjo Project
- Theatre in the Round Players
- Minnesota Fringe Festival
- Ananya Dance Theater
- Mixed Blood Theater
- Summer Cypher
- Franklin Avenue East – Ward 6
- Centro Tyrone Guzman
- Red Eye Collaboration
- Jearica Fountain
- Open Eye Theatre
- Native American Community Development Institute
- Norway House
- American Swedish Institute
- Native Music Collective
- Crankie Fest
- 38th Street – Wards 8 and 9
- Christopheraaron Deanes
- Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
- Oromo Irreechaa Festival
- Healthy Roots Initiative
- Southside Back in the Day Community
- Andrew Looze
- Ten Thousand Things
- Center for Performing Arts Minneapolis
- Pillsbury House + Theatre
- East Lake Street – Wards 8 and 9
- Barebones Productions
- Mayday Minneapolis
- Highpoint Center for Printmaking
- Art Shanty Projects
- Caracol Latino Performing Arts
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
- Luis Fitch
- Mounisha Gorle
- Pamela Mercado Michelli
- Six Dot
More information on each program is at the Arts & Cultural Affairs website. In the last few years, more than $2.4 million has been awarded to programs and people all around Minneapolis.