New York Mills Arts Retreat (dba Cultural Center)

Help keep the arts alive and accessible in rural Minnesota!

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. We believe that small towns deserve big arts opportunities—and with your support, we make that happen every day.

From live music and gallery exhibits to youth puppetry, hands-on workshops, artist residencies, and beloved community traditions, we provide year-round arts experiences that connect people of all ages to creativity, culture, and each other.

Your support brings these programs to life:

🎤 Live Music & Concerts — Intimate performances in our 80-seat listening room.

🎨 Gallery Exhibits & Public Art — Showcasing regional and national artists.

🧵 Arts Education for All Ages — From ballet and  to Art in Your Park.

🎭 Kalevala Puppet Pageant — Giant puppets created by kids and parents each summer.

🏆 Great American Think-Off — Ordinary people debating big ideas since 1993.

❄️ Longest Night Music Festival — Celebrating local musicians on the Winter Solstice.

🎣 Fish House Festival — Artist-painted ice houses and community fun each July.

Cultivating Community Capital Campaign: Cultivating the Arts for the Next Generation

We're also building for the future through our Cultivating Community Capital Campaign, a $2.3 million investment in the future of arts, culture, and community in rural Minnesota.

This campaign will:

• Preserve and protect our historic 1885 building
• Expand spaces for arts, education, and community connection
• Strengthen key community assets beyond our walls

This is more than a building project. It's an investment in people, creativity, and the future of our region. Together, we can ensure that the Cultural Center continues to inspire, connect, and serve our community for generations to come.

Learn more about our Capital Campaign: https://kulcher.org/about/capital-campaign/

Your Gift Makes a Difference

We are committed to equity, inclusion, and keeping the arts accessible in a rural place—no matter someone’s age, identity, or income. Your support keeps admission low or free, pays artists fairly, and ensures that creativity continues to grow here.

Every gift, at every level, makes an impact:

$25 supplies art materials for a child.

$100 helps bring a touring musician to town.

$250 supports a month of free community programming.

This Give to the Max Day, help us nurture creativity, preserve our history, and cultivate a thriving future for our community. Whether you're supporting the programs that bring us together today or helping secure our organziation for tomorrow, your gift matters.

Thank you for helping arts and culture thrive in rural Minnesota!

Learn more at kulcher.org | Facebook @ccnym | Instagram @nymkulcher