Cultural Districts Arts Fund

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

Photo by: Chicago Fire Arts

Cultural Districts Arts Fund Initiative

This program funds local artists, cultural workers, arts advocates, and arts & culture service organizations to bring arts activities and placemaking opportunities to the seven cultural districts. Funding will be available for activations between June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027.

The fund supports two distinct programs: 

  • Pop-Up Art & Culture Activations Program: Offers awards up to $5,000 for a 12‑month period to complete the contract 

  • Festivals & Cultural Spaces Activation Program: Offers awards up to $16,700 for a 12‑month period to complete the contract 

Both programs encourage projects that address community needs in 2026. Funding focuses on community‑led, publicly accessible art projects that uplift communities, support creative place‑making, and strengthen safety, connection, and resilience in Cultural Districts. Priority is given to Minneapolis‑based and regional artists whose work centers care, healing, and community well‑being. 

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

Learn more about the opportunity

Funds allowed for:

  • New proposals for local, artist‑led public art activities and festivals. 

  • Starting a new creative festival or cultural activation program. 

  • Expanding an existing arts and culture festival or program. 

Funds cannot be used to maintain existing programs or projects.

Who can apply

Minnesota residents who live or work in one of the seven Minneapolis Cultural Districts 

  • Individuals

  • Artist collectives (informal groups)

  • Businesses and organizations

Program opportunities to choose from:

  • Festivals and Cultural Spaces Activation Program: Offers up to $16,700 per award. 

  • Pop‑Up Art Activation Program: Offers up to $5,000 per award. 

Cultural districts

The area within 5 blocks around each Cultural District is also eligible.

2026 CDAF Festival and Cultural Spaces Activation Program Awardees

Central Avenue (ward 1)

  • Chris Pennington

  • Pillar Forum

  • IamAnishinaabe

  • Sam Aros-Mitchell

  • Public Functionary

Franklin Avenue East (ward 6)

  • Centro Tyrone Guzman

  • Red Eye Collaboration

  • Jearica Fountain

  • Open Eye Theatre

Lowry Avenue North (ward 4 and ward 5)

  • Nuestra Lucha MN

  • Jovonta Patton

  • Shanene Herbert

  • Common Endeavors

38th Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • Christopheraaron Deanes

  • Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

  • Oromo Irreechaa Festival

  • Healthy Roots Institute

  • Southside Back In The Day Community

West Broadway (ward 5)

  • Hearts Healing Hearts CPR

  • Crystal Sokuu

  • Freedom Flow - Juneteenth

  • Black Women's Wealth Alliance

  • TruArtSpeaks

East Lake Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • Barebones Productions

  • Mayday Minneapolis

  • Highpoint Center for Printmaking

  • Art Shanty Projects

Cedar Avenue South (ward 6)

  • Cabooze. Low and High Presents

  • The Cedar Cultural Center

  • FinnFest USA Inc

  • Afghan Cultural Society of MN

  • The Qalanjo Project

2026 CDAF Pop-Up Art & Cultural Activation Program Awardees

Central Avenue (ward 1)

  • Ernesto Chongo

  • Lush Lounge and Theater

  • Daron Walker / Miki Mosman

  • Sean Phillips

  • Eastside Co-op

Franklin Avenue East (ward 6)

  • NACDI

  • Norway House

  • American Swedish Institute

  • Native Music Collective

  • Crankie Fest

Lowry Avenue North (ward 4 and ward 5)

  • 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

38th Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • Andrew Looze

  • Ten Thousand Things

  • Center for Performing Arts Minneapolis

  • Pillsbury House + Theatre

West Broadway (ward 5)

  • Hearts Healing Hearts CPR

  • Lundstrum Performing Arts Center

  • Vie Boheme

  • Plymouth Christian Youth Center

  • Peace Madimutsa

  • West Broadway Business and Area Coalition

East Lake Street (ward 8 and ward 9)

  • Caracol Latino Performing Arts

  • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

  • Luis Fitch

  • Mounisha Gorle

  • Pamela Mercado Michelli

  • Six Dot

Cedar Avenue South (ward 6)

  • Theatre in the Round Players

  • Minnesota Fringe Festival

  • Ananya Dance Theater

  • Mixed Blood Theater

  • Summer Cypher