2024 application opens Friday, April 5

Save the date! The 2024 Cultural STAR grant application will open on Friday, April 5.

Online applications must be submitted by Wednesday, May 15 at 4 p.m.

Sign up for email updates or watch this website for more information on this year’s program. The 2024 guidelines and information on application workshops will be available in March.

Saint Paul Awards Nearly $1.3 Million in Funding to 66 Arts and Cultural Organizations

The Saint Paul City Council has approved $1,294,853 in Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) grants to support programming, capital improvements, and organizational development activities for 66 local nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.

Read the press release

Overview

Cultural STAR provides grants and loans to Saint Paul cultural projects and organizations. Most projects are located in the Saint Paul Cultural District (bordered by I-94 to the north Lafayette Bridge to the east Mississippi River to the south, and Chestnut Road to the west). Cultural STAR grows Saint Paul's economy by strengthening the arts and cultural sector and supporting Downtown as a vital cultural center.

The four major goals of Cultural STAR are:

  • Build and diversify audiences;
  • Promote a broad range of cultural offerings;
  • Produce a long-term impact; and
  • Leverage additional financial support.

Cultural STAR is funded by Saint Paul's half-cent sales tax.

2024 Application Information

Timeline

  • Application period begins: Friday, April 5
  • Application deadline: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 4 p.m.
  • Applicant interviews: June 2024
  • Earliest project start date: August 1, 2024
  • Latest project end date: July 31, 2025 (July 31, 2026 for capital projects)

Highlights for 2024

  • There will be only one application round this year and in future years.
  • Eligible projects for this application round must take place between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025. Awards may not be approved until late August or early September, so there is a strong likelihood that some applicants will not know the decision around their grant request until after their project takes place. This eligibility period was determined by the 2023 program cycles and aiming to provide continuity in timing of projects eligible to be funded.
  • The minimum grant request is $5,000 (same as past years). 
  • The one-to-one funding match only is only required of grant requests of over $50,000.

Guidelines

The Cultural STAR Program achieves the program purposes by making grants and loans for projects and programs that: attract audiences; develop and improve cultural facilities; and build capacity of artists and cultural organizations.

Review the program guidelines for more details about our three program types:

Capital Project Guidelines Organizational Development Guidelines Special Project Guidelines

Board

The Cultural STAR Board reviews all applications and makes funding recommendations to the Mayor and City Council. Board members are also asked to help promote the program to arts and cultural organizations, neighborhood and business groups, and others that may be interested.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.

Apply Now Learn More

Last Edited: March 1, 2024