Minneapolis launches new arts initiative: Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts

Wednesday, July, 2024 | Arts & Cultural Affairs

Photo: Justin Sengly

The City of Minneapolis Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs (ACA) is thrilled to announce the launch of Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts. This pilot initiative will provide City funding to subsidize rent for artists and arts organizations in vacant storefronts in the Harmon Place Historic District with the goal to support creative opportunities and increase vibrancy, innovation, and sustainability.  
 
The ACA department is bringing together property owners, individual artists and arts organizations by providing funding to subsidize rental costs. This yields a dual advantage: ensuring stable tenants for property owners and furnishing essential space for the local creative community. The physical spaces will help artists workshop, develop and present their programming and artmaking to the public and build community. The Arts and Culture Vibrant Storefronts pilot program was a recommendation that came out of Mayor Jacob Frey’s Vibrant Downtown Storefronts Workgroup and is part of Minneapolis 2040. The program is open to Minnesota residents, with a preference for those residing in Minneapolis. 

 
“Minneapolis has a rich and diverse heritage of being a muse, haven, and patron for artists. We have an indominable spirit, and that’s reflected in the art and artists that call our city home,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “The Arts and Culture Vibrant Storefronts pilot program will not only support our artists, it will beautify downtown, help increase foot traffic, and boost economic revitalization across our city. As we continue to see downtown come back, this is exactly the type of initiative we want to support.” 

Competitive applications for the Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts Initiative will be accepted on a rolling basis in one or more rounds (depending on funding and space availability) starting July 26. The first round of applications will be accepted through August 30, 2024. Multiple applicants can "cluster" together to maximize collaboration and space utilization. The program offers awards up to $50,000 per applicant per year for a contract term of two years, with the option to reapply after this period. Mayor Frey allocated and the City Council approved $250,000 in the City’s 2024 budget to launch the program. Individual artists or artist groups/teams with professional artistic resumes spanning a minimum of three years or arts/culture service organizations that can demonstrate a minimum of three years of programmatic history may apply. Applicants from all disciplines, including visual, performing, literary, media, culinary, digital and public arts, as well as design, craft and non-traditional mediums, are encouraged to apply.  

“Harmon Place is the perfect spot to launch this initiative. It is a neighborhood that has been home to artists and creative energy for generations,” said Minneapolis Council Member Katie Cashman, who represents ward seven- home to Harmon Place. “This work really celebrates and expands on that neighborhood history and presents an opportunity to better connect the urban fabric of cultural institutions like the Walker Art Center and the Hennepin Avenue Theatre District, not only for residents, but also for visitors to our great city.” 

Connecting that urban fabric is something that the city is hearing about loud and clear from artists who need the space, according to Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs Ben Johnson.  

"This initiative is a direct response to the affordable space crisis affecting our arts communities,” said Johnson. "By partnering with local cultural workers and artists, we aim to address this situation by fostering a renewed sense of arts-based vitality and belonging in our city. We also hope to directly invest in our city’s endless creative intelligence and invite creatives to re-imagine and inspire our city through arts and culture. 

A panel of City staff will evaluate applications in early September and notify awardees a few weeks later. ACA staff is hosting a virtual information session for interested applicants on August 2. To apply and learn more about Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts or the information session, please visit https://mplsartsandculture.org/vibrant-storefronts.