Minnesota arts groups get more than $1 million in stimulus funds

More than two dozen arts organizations in Minnesota have received federal stimulus funds to help maintain jobs that are threatened by the current economic downturn.

Twenty-six Minnesota groups received a total of $1,025,000 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The groups will receive the one-time grants -- for either $25,000 or $50,000 --from the National Endowment for the Arts.

All but one of the grant recipients -- the Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer -- are based in the Twin Cities.

In St. Paul, some of the groups include Minnesota Public Radio, the American Composers Forum, Art Start, East Side Arts Council and the Penumbra Theatre Company.

Organizations in Minneapolis receiving the funds include Children's Theater Company and School, the Guthrie Theatre Foundation and the Mixed Blood Theatre Company.

The Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota will receive a $50,000 grant, which it will use to hire an assistant curator to help with the museum's current renovation project, which is expected to be completed by 2011.

"It's a fantastic thing for our visitors and for the university campus," said Christopher James, spokesman for the Weisman Art Museum. "We were elated and very grateful to the National Endowment for their support."

James said the assistant curator will help plan the installation of the Weisman's collection in the new gallery spaces.

To see a full list of grant recipients, visit the National Endowment for the Arts Web site.

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