Purpose

Provide funding to support the renovation and expansion of the Black Arts Center, now described as the Black Arts and Tech Center in St. Paul. The goal is to create spaces for arts and technology training for youth living in poverty.

Main Provisions

• A capital investment appropriation of $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund.
• Source and recipient: money goes to the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to grant to 30000 Feet, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Use of funds: design, construct, furnish, and equip the renovation and expansion of the Black Arts and Tech Center, including:
  • an outdoor performance space
  • a multidisciplinary art room
  • a dance space
• Location: city of St. Paul.
• Project objective: provide tech training and programming to youth who live in poverty.
• Relationship to existing funding: this appropriation is in addition to an earlier appropriation found in Laws 2023, chapter 71, article 1, section 14, subdivision 42.
• Availability: funds remain available until the project is completed or abandoned.

Funding, Administration, and Conditions

• Administered by: Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
• Grant recipient: 30000 Feet, a nonprofit organization.
• Conditions: project must be completed or abandoned in accordance with Minnesota statutes; the appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 (which governs availability and timing of appropriations).

Relationship to Existing Law

• This bill adds to prior support for the project from Laws 2023, expanding or continuing funding beyond the previous allocation.

Significance and Impact

• Expands facilities to include arts and tech-focused spaces (outdoor stage, art room, dance space) to support youths’ education and development.
• Promotes partnerships between the state and a nonprofit organization to deliver specialized training and programming.

Relevant Terms - capital investment - appropriation - general fund - commissioner of employment and economic development - grant - 30000 Feet - Black Arts and Tech Center - St. Paul - outdoor performance space - multidisciplinary art room - dance space - tech training - programming - youth living in poverty - Laws 2023 chapter 71 article 1 section 14 subdivision 42 - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642 - fiscal year 2026 - renovation and expansion - design, construct, furnish, equip - nonprofit organization (501c3)