The Friends of the Institute is a volunteer organization of members of the Minneapolis Institute of Art dedicated to supporting, enhancing and sustaining the collections, programs and influence of Mia. Friends support the museum in many ways, by providing public lectures, transportation of schoolchildren to the museum for guided tours, artwork for the permanent collection, and funding for innovative children’s art education programs. Fundraisers make this support possible, especially Art in Bloom. The St. Cloud Friends provide lecture opportunities several times a year, along with food and beverages in the St. Cloud area. Our speakers include Mia curators and local and regional artists and experts. Our membership dues are used to send students from District 742, Sauk Rapids, Sartell/St. Stephen, and local private schools for guided tours at Mia. We also provide prize money for the Paramount’s juried high school art exhibit each spring.