Tick-tock, artists, and culture vultures of Saint Paul! The clock is running down on the chance to snag some of that sweet Cultural STAR program funding, with applications set to close on May 15 by 4 p.m. sharp. If you've been mulling over a pet project or your organization needs a cash injection, it's high time to get your act together and submit that application via ZoomGrants online, as reported by a city announcement.
The deal is clear: the Cultural STAR initiative is all about pumping up the economy by bolstering the arts and turning downtown Saint Paul into a throbbing cultural hub. With the dough on the table for special projects, organizational revamp, and capital undertakings, anyone planning to get in on the action between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025—or up until 2026 for those audacious enough to embark on capital projects—bums need not sit idly by.
Don't say nobody warned you, but procrastinators beware; the web portal has a nasty habit of getting jammed off on deadline day, leading to a manic frenzy of last-minute submissions that could leave some unlucky contenders out in the cold. Remember, latecomers get zero grace—the city won't give you a second glance if you miss the cut-off. The Cultural STAR team wasn't pulling any punches when they advised us to "STRONGLY" submit proposals ahead of the final hour to navigate clear of those pesky tech issues.
Need some help? Don't sweat it. There are a few lifelines at your disposal. From a handy recording and slides of this year's virtual applicant workshop to an FAQs list set to clear your doubts, the city's got your back. You can even check if you qualify by poking around the interactive map to confirm your digs are within the all-important Saint Paul Cultural District. And hey, if tech isn't your thing, just swing by any Saint Paul Public Library—they're doling out free computer and internet access, plus community specialists ready to lend a hand, even in your mother tongue.
Before you dash off that application, make sure to demonstrate that your business is playing by the rules and squared away with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Just hop onto their "Search for a Business" tool, find your org, grab a screenshot of your active profile page, and attach it to your application. If you stumble or just need to hash things out, shoot an email to the Cultural STAR staff at [email protected]. But whatever you do, better do it quick—May 15 is right around the corner, and this is not the opportunity to be left watching from the sidelines.
