MRAC is pleased to announce our 2025 Next Step Fund Grantees! Thanks to generous funding from the McKnight Foundation, these artists will grow their careers, make new art, and enrich our communities in the seven-county metro region.
Morgan Adamson
Using dance and experimental filmmaking to examine forever chemical pollution in the East Metro through site-based performance and community engagement.
Nancy Ariza
Professional documentation of artwork and development of an artist website highlighting artistic practice.
Michael Banning
Learning mezzotint printing techniques and creating a series of print editions.
Ryan Berg
Completing a memoir addressing trauma bonding and codependency in LGBTQ+ relationships, promoting healing and resilience.
Christopheraaron
Developing art works in metal enamel.
Melissa Clark
Traveling to Brazil to study Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Diasporic dance, music, and capoeira and training with master artists, to enhance teaching and preserve cultural traditions.
Rebecca Moran Cusick
Attending an intensive workshop in Mexico City to refine Folklorico dance and chorography skills, expand repertoire, and bring authentic cultural insights to future projects.
Diana Eicher
Professional documentation of artwork and web design as well as artist inventory software improve the outcome of grants, exhibitions, and residencies.
Torey Erin
Completing a large-scale land artwork created from compost that promotes human connection to the landscape while increasing habitat for native plants and pollinators.
José Luis Fitch Jiménez
Creating a new series of three large-scale public art installations that blend traditional Mexican art forms with innovative contemporary techniques.
Chris Hepola
Contracting professionals to perform and record original compositions, providing material that contributes to the musical conversation and presents the artist as a collaborator to others.
Paul Herwig
Hiring a professional software coach to increase technical skills using professional projection mapping software.
Deborah Jiang-Stein
Regional travel to launch debut collection of stories at events in eligible counties and connect with new audiences in community spaces.
Kenny
Completing an album of music.
Jennifer Kunin
Purchasing and installing a kiln as well as equipment and supplies to make existing ceramic studio more senior accessible for increased productivity and creative experimentation.
Camila Leiva
Attending the Latinx Storytellers Conference to connect with literary agents and pitch a YA graphic novel memoir about intergenerational love and resistance to tyranny.
Lisa Nebenzahl
Producing an edition of new works based on my daughter’s early poetry work.
Autumn Ness
Writing and performing an intimate, groundbreaking theatrical piece for youth and families.
Valerie Oliveiro
Creating an artwork on the politics of belonging.
José Felipe Ozuna
Completing a first collection of poetry.
Alice Paige
Supporting the production, editing, and research of a first book, The Ghost Cabaret.
Paul John Rudoi
Creating a promotion plan for music, creating and distributing physical materials, and an ad presence with national organizations devoted to choral music.
Brit Sigh
Creating a painting series blending fantasy and Afrofuturism featuring Black children as they explore iconic Twin Cities landmarks, celebrating diversity and identity.
Mari Esabel Valverde
Completing the remaining three of seven movements of a song cycle.
Barbara Wiener
Researching for a documentary about aging and creativity.
Shun Yong
Exploring Chinese immigrant stories through photography and papermaking from rubber tree bark, connecting cultural history and materiality to create 50 handmade photography books.
Judith Yourman
Researching and fabricatng of outdoor public artwork, expanding the visual art practice and career opportunities.