When the mirror was handed to the first recipient of a free gender-affirming haircut at the Pride Cultural Arts Center, they were on the brink of happy tears, center director Dobbs DeCorsey said. 

PCAC, a program within Twin Cities Pride, opened in February in downtown Minneapolis after receiving a Vibrant Storefronts grant last December. The city’s Arts & Cultural Affairs Department launched the Vibrant Storefronts Initiative in 2024 to award subsidized rent to artists and community builders. 

Now in its second year, the initiative has expanded from downtown into uptown and is set to distribute $750,000 compared to the $250,000 last year, according to a press release. This September, eight new recipients were announced. 

The city works with landlords to identify open storefronts and negotiate rent prices. Then, organizations tour and apply for spaces they are interested in. 

Grants last for two years with the option for recipients to reapply. 

There are several city-outlined goals for the initiative, including economic growth, increased foot traffic and filling empty retail spaces. However, its primary aim is to uplift artistic communities in Minneapolis. 

DeCorsey said since its opening, PCAC has provided showcases and studios for queer art, hosts community events and gathers and distributes resources.

“What do you do with an empty storefront?” Mayor Jacob Frey said in a press release. “You could let it sit. You could wait for the right tenant. Or — if you’re Minneapolis — you hand it over to artists, and watch it come to life.” 

Among the 2025 recipients is ZOMA House, collectively run by three Black-led organizations: ZOMA Studios, an independent animation studio; NEO Narrative, a community art space and media hub; and The Heartcraft Collective, which offers wellness-focused crafting.

Each organization brings different strengths, ZOMA House founder and artist Uzo Ngwu said. Zoma House will serve as both a studio and a local art gallery and shop, in addition to hosting speakers and art-focused events, such as workshops. 

“It was validating that the city aligned with our vision for the space as much as we did,” Ngwu said.

As an animator and illustrator who has worked primarily on screens, Ngwu said having a physical space to connect with people is exciting. The space, set to open in Uptown, aims to serve and connect artists across all generations.

“Someone on my team recently pitched this beautiful idea of creating an event where we intentionally get people in different phases of their creative journey,” Ngwu said. “Create conversations around their work, whether that be in the form of a panel or shared project.”

Another 2025 recipient is True North Studio x Curioso Coffee, a small business collective that features a studio space and coffee bar that will open in Uptown. Family-friendly art center ARTrageous Adventures will operate the studio and partner with Lucent Blue Events + Design to host events. 

The coffee bar, run by Curioso Coffee, will feature locally sourced coffee and pastries.

The first event is called Thrill Uptown, a Minneapolis take on a global tradition near Halloween where people come together and dance the iconic zombie dance featured in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Michaella Holden said, chief experience officer at Lucent Blue Events + Design.

“It’s a community for everyone,” Holden said. “We hope the local community will support it and enjoy what we have to offer.”

The impact of art and community-focused spaces can have on areas is evident through the 2024 awardees, such as PCAC.

DeCorsey said PCAC has received very positive community feedback. 

“The cultural art center is a space that is able to meet needs that have not been met in the Twin Cities for a long time,” DeCorsey said.

One program the center now runs is the Rainbow Wardrobe, a free closet that provides gender-affirming care, clothes and beauty items. A version of the closet existed before the center opened, but has now expanded to meet growing needs and can meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, according to Twin Cities Pride programming director Kelsey Alto. 

Alto added that Twin Cities Pride is also able to offer studio spaces at the center for artists in its residency program.

“I’ve interviewed so many artists who are working out of the corner of their studio apartment or their living room,” Alto said. “I was so excited to have the space for the residency program.”

Around the time PCAC opened its doors, political tension and the elimination of programs like DEI made the world feel heavy, Alto said. 

“In dark times comes powerful art,” Alto said. “To provide that safe space for our community to gather and create that art is so important to me. This has been such an amazing gift.”