“Minneapolis awards $750,000-plus in Vibrant Storefronts grants”
This article appeared in the Minnesota Star Tribune on September 10, 2025:
Some empty storefronts in Loring Park, Uptown and downtown Minneapolis soon will be vacant no more.
In the city’s second Arts & Cultural Affairs Department’s Vibrant Storefronts initiative, eight artist-run organizations will receive up to $50,000 to subsidize rent of vacant storefronts for two years for a total of $750,000.
Five artist-run organizations received funding in the first iteration last November.
This year the number of recipients has nearly doubled. The city has now awarded a total of over $950,000 to 13 local artists and creative entrepreneurs.
“When you invest in art and creativity, you get back that investment multiple-fold,” Mayor Jacob Frey said. “We’ve seen this over and over again.”
