Our Grants

We offer 4 applicant categories for arts grants: Grants for Cities/Counties/Nonprofit Organizations; Grants for Schools; Grants for Nonprofit Arts Organizations; and Grants for Individual Artists. See below for details.

All applicants must fill out the Arts Grant application and the Data Collection application. Download directions to fill out the data collection form here. Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s data collection process which is slightly different than our current application.

Grants for Cities/Counties/Nonprofit Organizations as applicants.

This is the applicant category for arts projects that would benefit from $500 – $10,000 in grant funds. Non-profits (historical, fairs, healthcare, etc.) new Arts nonprofits, and governmental entities like cities and counties are eligible to apply for these funds. This is the applicant category for the majority of organizations.

Main deadlines are July 31, October 31, and February 28, and April 30.

Examples: sponsoring a specific theatrical play or the sponsorship of a few folk artists to entertain at your festival.  This grant is not intended for use by school districts since they have their own applicant category. Artists offering workshops to community members. This is a main category to fund public art projects within communities such as murals and sculpture.

Cash Match: A 10% minimum cash match is required for all grant requests. If the project is to repeat sponsorship of an artist or group that has been sponsored with NWMAC funding in previous years then a 25% minimum cash match is required.  

Arts Grants have 4 application deadlines a year. Funds are slightly divided between these application deadlines.  

Deadlines July 31, Oct 31, Feb 28, April 30

Grant application process is closed annually between April 30 - July 1

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*Download step by step directions to walk you through the application form for cities, counties, and non-profit organizations here. Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s grant which is slightly different than our current application.

Arts Grants for Schools

Arts Equipment for Schools. Supported by general allocation funds from the Minnesota state legislature, schools can apply to purchase artistic equipment for their visual art, performing art, media arts, or creative writing departments. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match. Competitive deadline is September 30 and then we fund on a first come, first served basis as funds remain. Equipment that is used solely for the pursuit of arts like a kiln or theater lights, or a band instrument has a better chance of being funded.

Artist Residency in Schools. We offer arts grants for artist residencies in schools These grants are a maximum of $3,000 to sponsor an artist for a traditional week long residency.  Schools are strongly encouraged to use our teaching artist roster or use a roster artist from COMPAS. Schools can apply for additional residencies as long as funding is available.

Types of Grants for Schools

• Artist Residency in Schools (up to $3,000) no deadline, April 30 final submission date

• Arts Equipment for Schools (up to $3,000) Sept 30 deadline and then on-going until funds run out or until April 30 when applications close

  Grant application process is closed annually between April 30 - July 1

*Download step by step directions that walk you through the application form for grants for schools here. Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s grant which is slightly different than our current application.