Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grants Include

October 31 Arts Grants for Non-profits/Cities/Counites &

October 31 Arts Equipment for Schools

November 15 Individual Artist Grants for $5,000, $3,000 & $1,500

Free Grant Writing Sessions  October 8 at 4 PM (Non-profits/cities/counties) &

October 28 at 10 AM (Individual Artists)

 Applications are open for numerous grants from the NWMAC. It’s time to start writing your arts grant application!

Arts Grants for non-profit and governmental organizations. Non-profits and cities or counties can apply for one arts project at a time. Grants deadlines for these are July 31, October 31, February 28, and April 30. Grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds, and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota. 

Organizational arts activities funded through this very important grant opportunity includes festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities. Public art like murals or sculptures also fall into this category.

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. The deadline is October 31. 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 Grant. Schools can also apply now for an Artist Residency grant of $3,000. Our teaching artist roster is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area and is available on our website at www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org under the artists tab. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.

Schools can initially apply for one residency. Then, based on remaining funding, can request up to three additional residencies into spring and summer. Funding for residency activities comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota. 

Individual Artist Grants. Applications are open for arts grants to individuals from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties. This year individual Artist Grants for $5,000, $3,000, and $1,500 have a November 15 and April 30 deadline. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.

Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. At least four grants of each amount ($1,500, $3,000, and $5,000) will be awarded this fiscal year. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. 

Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2026). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license. 

On Wednesday, October 8 at 4 PM we are offering a grant training workshop via Zoom or in person at the NWMAC office in Warren for organizations and schools. On Tuesday, October 28 at 10 AM, we are offering a grant training workshop via Zoom or in person at the NWMAC office in Warren for individual artists. You must RSVP to attend either session. Email director@nwartscouncil.org to RSVP or with questions. Don’t let your questions about the grant process keep you from applying! We are here to help. This is a great opportunity to come to our office and work on your grant in our grant writing space. If you can’t attend these trainings but would like assistance, please contact our office.

The grant application process is completely online and NWMAC's Director Mara Hanel can help walk you through the process of using the grants portal to get accustomed to it. Please contact her at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886, ext 1.