Bloomington Center for the Arts

The City of Bloomington is offering cultural arts support grants to fund general operating expenses for Bloomington-centric non-profit organizations or arts-related educational institutions in 2021.

The purpose of the grants is to provide general operating support to:

• High quality, established cultural arts groups and organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art
• Groups and organizations that provide a broad range of services to artists and art appreciators
• Organizations that make enriching, engaging, educational and entertaining cultural arts opportunities available to people of all ages, abilities and interests in the Bloomington community.

For information on eligibility, review criteria and the scoring process, please download the 2021 Cultural Arts Support Grant Review Criteria document. 

To apply, please download, complete and submit all of the forms below. 

• 2021 Cultural Arts Support RFP 
• 2021 Cultural Arts Support ORG Budget Worksheet 
• 2021 Cultural Arts Support Board of Directors List 
• 2021 Cultural Arts Support Funders List 
• 2021 Cultural Arts Support DEI Statistics 

If you require assistance or have questions, please call 952-563-8877 or email centerforthearts@bloomingtonmn.gov.  

Hours of Operation

As of April 2021, and until further notice, Bloomington Center for the Arts will operate on the following schedule: 

• Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Friday:  8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
• Saturday and Sunday:  Closed   

Room Sizes and Capacity Limits

Following Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan, until further notice, inside room capacity is limited to the following: 

• Children’s Studio: 29’ x 23’ (4-5)
• Drawing Studio: 22’ x 26’  (4-5)
• Craft Studio: 22’ x 26’ (2-4)
• Painting Studio: 20’ x 43’ (6-8)
• Rehearsal Studio: 35’ x 30’ (10)
• Dance Studio: 38’ x 60’ (10)
• Black Box Dressing Room: 16’ x 14’ (2-3)
• Black Box Theater/Multi-Use Space: 45’ x 41’ (10 people, or if theater setup, 25% occupancy--approx. 20-30 seats)
• Schneider Theater: (25% occupancy--approx. 80-85 seats)
• Lobby Area:  (30-40) 

Outdoor spaces will be assessed on case-by-case basis.

COVID Safety and Preparedness Plan

For full details on how we will keep guests and staff safe, download the BCA COVID-19 Safety and Preparedness Plan.

• Bloomington Box Office

• 2019-2020 Performance Series listings

• Rental information

The Center for the Arts includes two theaters, two galleries, dance studio and rehearsal spaces, art classrooms and offices for the facility's nine resident arts organizations. 

1. By phone at 952-563-8575
2. Online at the Bloomington Box Office 
3. In person (Hours vary; Call 952-563-8575 for current hours)

Artistry presents exhibitions in the Inez Greenburg Gallery and the Atrium Gallery at the north end of Bloomington Civic Plaza.

The Inez Greenberg Gallery typically features group shows, and site-specific art installations. The Atrium Gallery hosts smaller exhibits, often by a solo artist.

• Current exhibitions 
• Upcoming exhibitions

Accessibility: Bloomington Center for the Arts is accessible for individuals with disabilities.

Pets: No animals are allowed (excepting service animals for people with disabilities).

Smoking: Bloomington Center for the Arts is a nonsmoking facility. Smoking on the grounds is permitted only in designated areas.

Art Center mural: During the summer of 2007, mural artist Erik Pearson painted a 2,500-square-foot mural that wraps around the northeast corner of the Center for the Arts building's exterior. 

A new study on the size and social, cultural and economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture sector in the City of Bloomington was released in February 2021, by Creative Minnesota, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and the City of Bloomington. The Creative Minnesota study is part of an ongoing series of research reports about the arts and culture sector in Minnesota that is available for free online at CreativeMN.org.  

Creative Minnesota quantifies the impact and needs of Minnesota’s artists and creative workers, updates previous studies on the economic impact of our state’s 1903 nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and reviews other research about the arts sector in the state.

Click to open report factsheet full-size in separate browser tab.