Calling all Minnesota artists!
Saint Paul, Minnesota (October 21, 2021) — The Arts Partnership, a nonprofit collaboration between the Minnesota Opera, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Schubert Club, is now accepting proposals for its Knight Foundation Cultural Opportunity Fund. Founded in 2015, the fund provides both full and partial grants that allow Minnesota artists to rent the Ordway Concert Hall.
“Minnesota is home to thousands of fantastic artists. We are thrilled to be able to help cover rental costs and welcome more local artists to the Concert Hall,” said Ryan Taylor, president of The Arts Partnership and president and general director of Minnesota Opera. “Together, with the support of the Knight Foundation, this fund helps reduce barriers to access and promote artistic expression.”
In 2014, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation endowed $1 million to create the Knight Foundation Cultural Opportunity Fund—intended for those who could not otherwise afford to rent the Concert Hall for an evening performance. Since then, 44 artists have received more than $153,000 in support to host concerts, film screenings, stage productions and author readings in the Concert Hall. The fund offers a $5,000 subsidy to artists and organizations whose annual budget is less than $500,000, or a $2,500 subsidy to larger groups.
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges looking for clearly articulated outreach strategies and productions that help fulfill the organization’s mission or advance the artist’s career. Learn more about the fund and eligibility here. The online application portal will close February 1, and award recipients will be notified in mid-March.
Updated November 2021