October 31 Deadline for Arts Grants $500 to $10,000 for

Government Entities and Non-Profits

Take this Opportunity to Commission Public Art or

Sponsor a Festival!

Grant Writing Session is October 16 at 4 PM -- RSVP Today

We are pleased to announce that applications are open for grants for government entities and non-profits from $500 to $10,000 and have an October 31 deadline.  There is over $200,000 that will be granted for arts activities in our area.      

Applications funded by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, through these important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre plays, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops, public art, and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities.

Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations, communities, historical societies, fairs, and other service organizations. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties. We also have grant categories for nonprofit arts organizations, schools, and individual artists.

There is a grant writing training session on Wednesday, October 16 at 4 PM. You can attend at no cost in person or via Zoom. You must RSVP. Or make an appointment for another time to work with our director on your application. Our office offers a grant writing room, across the hall from staff, where you can work at a NWMAC computer provided for grant writing.  It is easy to come to Warren and work on your grant.  Make an appointment today to make applying easier.

The application processes this year are slightly different. All applicants start by completing our Arts Grant FY2025 application. At the same time, the applicant completes the data collection required by the State of Minnesota.       

October is also a great time for nonprofit arts organizations to submit their request for general operating for calendar year 2025.  Your organization must have arts as your primary focus and place where you spend money. Your organization must be in our seven-county service area. For example, if your community theater, arts council, or community band has been active for two years with nonprofit status, it is time to apply.    

October 31 is the yearly deadline for our Arts Equipment for Schools grants. This special grant allows schools to purchase artistic equipment for their art room, theater, band room, etc. 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. Grants of up to $3,000 are awarded with a 25% cash match requirement. Talk to our office to get instructions related to applying as a school for arts equipment and/or artist residencies. The school puts in one application a school year to show interest and then applies through add-ons within the application portal for funding for specific activities.     

To learn more about these grant programs and start an application visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. The grant application process is conveniently online and NWMAC's Executive Director Mara Hanel can help walk you through the process of using the grants portal.  We also have developed training modules that are very helpful.  You can also request a paper application or come, with an appointment, to our office in Warren, MN to fill out the paperwork at our grant writing station.  Contact Mara at 218-745-8886 ext 1 or nwartscouncil.director@gmail.com to learn more.