Cultural Districts Arts Fund

Accepting new applications, January 28 - February 27, 2026

Apply Here

Cultural Districts Arts Fund Initiative

We fund local artists, creative entrepreneurs, arts advocates, and arts & culture service organizations to activate cultural districts through arts activations.

Start and submit your application for cultural districts arts fund by February 27, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

Funding Availability

  • Funding will be available for activations between June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027.

  • The awardee must have a signed contract before December 30, 2026.

The fund supports two distinct programs: 

  • The Pop-Up Art & Culture Activations Program offers up to five awards per district, each amounting to $5,000 for a 12-month term.  

  • The Festivals & Cultural Spaces Activation Program grants three or more awards per district, each worth up to $16,700 for a 12-month term. 

Both programs encourage 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 Cultural Districts. Funding priority to Minneapolis-based and regional artists and practices rooted in care and collective healing.

The Cultural Districts Arts Fund is available in the seven designated Cultural Districts across Minneapolis: 38th Street, Cedar Avenue South, Central Avenue, East Lake Street, Franklin Avenue East, Lowry Avenue North and West Broadway.

Funds allowed for

  • New proposals for local artist-led public activations and festivals.

  • Start a new creative festival or cultural activation program

  • Expand an existing arts & culture festival program.

    Funds cannot be used to maintain existing programs or projects.

Important note -

If awarded over $5,000, a certificate of insurance (event or liability coverage) is required to request your grant contract. City will not pay for your insurance.

If awarded, each grantee must complete paperwork to become a supplier. It includes an eSupplier form, W-9 and ACH/EFT form. (If you are a registered business, the status on MN SOS should be “Active / in good standing”)

After the initial advance, remaining payments are made on reimbursement basis.

Apply Here

Who can apply

Minnesota based applicants who live or work in one of the seven Minneapolis cultural districts

  • Individuals

  • Artist collectives (informal groups)

  • Businesses and organizations

Two programs to select from -

  • Festivals and cultural spaces activation program: up to $16,700 per award.

  • Pop-up art activation program: up to $5,000 per award

Cultural districts

Important dates -

Applications open: January 28, 2026

Award information session: February 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST (live virtual) RSVP here

Application deadline: February 27, 2026, at 4:30 PM CST

Applications review: March 1 to April 14, 2026

Award notifications: April 16, 2026

Eligible funding period: June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027

2025 Cultural Districts Arts Fund Awards Announced:

2025 POP-UP ART & CULTURAL ACTIVATIONS PROGRAM AWARDS:

Incentivize temporary new and innovative projects/activities to leverage the unique and specialized skills and creative ambition of local creatives/artists to enhance community-building. Project amount $5,000. Visit project details here.

38th Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

2024 Cultural Districts Arts Fund Awards:

2024 CULTURAL DISTRICT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM AWARDS:

Leverage arts and culture to identify site-responsive community needs with focus on community building, well-being and economic vitality of the Minneapolis Cultural Districts. Project amount $15,000 – one award per district.

2024 FESTIVAL AND CULTURAL SPACES ACTIVATION PROGRAM AWARDS:

This program aims to bolster festivals and cultural spaces as they champion Minneapolis-based artists and foster community connections. Project amount up to $16,700

38th Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • Center for Performing Arts

  • Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

  • Listen2Us Studio

  • Pillsbury House Theater

  • Z Puppets Rosenschnoz

    Cedar Avenue South (ward 6)

  • Afghan Cultural Society

  • Arena Dances CANDY BOX Dance Festival

  • Mixed Blood Theater

  • The Cedar Cultural Center

    Central Avenue (ward 1)

  • Haus of Sonder

  • Hothouse Studios

  • Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA)

  • Public Functionary

    East Lake Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • American Swedish Institute

  • Friends of Global Market

  • The Great Northern Festival

  • Tlanepantla Arts

  • Pangea World Theater

    Franklin Avenue East (ward 6)

  • Minneapolis American Indian Center

  • Voices for Effective Change

  • Oromo Irreecha Festival

  • Red Eye Theater

    Lowry Avenue North (ward 4 and ward 5)

  • New Rules

  • Nonviolent Peaceforce

  • SPRAYFiNGER

    West Broadway (ward 5)

  • Juxtaposition Arts

  • Melodee Strong

  • The Capri Theater

  • West Broadway Area Business Coalition

2024 POP-UP ART & CULTURAL ACTIVATIONS PROGRAM AWARDS:

Incentivize temporary new and innovative projects/activities to leverage the unique and specialized skills and creative ambition of local creatives/artists to enhance community-building. Project amount $5,000.

38th Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • Diva Rags

  • Duniya Drum & Dance

    Cedar Avenue South (ward 6)

  • 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival

  • Brian Coyle Center

  • Leslie Parker Dance Project

  • Twin Cities Jazz Festival

  • Qalanjo Project

    Central Avenue (ward 1)

  • Brighton McCormick and Nat Kim

  • Eastside Co-op

  • Freeze Pop Records

  • Inspire MSP

  • Minneapolis Hoop Jams

  • Slam Academy

    East Lake Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • Ballet Works Inc dba James Sewell Ballet

  • Baki Baki Baki and Queermunity MN

  • Cultural Wellness Center/Melanin in Motion

  • In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre

  • Nebiy Tesfaldet and Peace Madimutsa

  • Franklin Avenue East (ward 6)

  • 826 MSP

  • Heid E. Erdrich

  • Indigenous Peoples Task Force

  • Liban Kano

  • Norway House

    Lowry Avenue North (ward 4 and ward 5)

  • Bully Creatives

  • Kenna Cottman

  • Nonviolent Peaceforce

    West Broadway (ward 5)

  • Asian Media Access

  • BriiNoir

  • DanceCo

  • Roho Collective

  • Twin Cities Black Film Festival