HF4249

Purpose

• The bill provides funding to support the restoration of a historic organ at a Minnesota high school and to offer related arts-education programming. The goal is to preserve the organ, expand access for students and the community, and protect Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

Key Provisions

• An appropriation of 250,000 dollars in fiscal year 2027 is made from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
• The money is allocated to the commissioner of administration as a grant to the Duluth Public School District.
• The grant is for restoring the historic Denfeld pipe organ located at Denfeld High School in Duluth, Minnesota.
• Uses include restoration of the instrument, necessary assessment, rehabilitation, and related arts-education programming (described as “artseducation programming” in the bill).
• The project must preserve and enhance access to the organ for students, community performances, and public use.
• The overall aim is to preserve the arts and Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage (as stated in the bill).

Changes to Existing Law

• Creates or specifies a new appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund dedicated to the Denfeld High School pipe organ restoration.
• Directs the funds to a grant administered through the commissioner of administration to the Duluth Public School District.
• Ties the funding to both the physical restoration of a historic instrument and related educational programming and public access considerations.

Implementation & Scope

• Timeframe: funds allocated in fiscal year 2027.
• Location: Denfeld High School, Duluth, Minnesota.
• Beneficiaries: Duluth Public School District, students at Denfeld High School, and the broader community who participate in or attend related performances and programming.

Fiscal Impact

• One-time appropriation of 250,000 dollars in FY 2027 from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Relevant Terms - Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund - Denfeld pipe organ - Denfeld High School - Duluth Public School District - restoration - assessment - rehabilitation - artseducation programming - access for students - community performances - public use - Minnesota's history and cultural heritage - historic Denfeld pipe organ - commissioner of administration