Arts News
Minnesota State Arts Board offers Arts Experiences Grant
Minnesota State Arts Board Offers Funding for Arts Experiences
This pilot program supports individuals and organizations in providing meaningful arts experiences for Minnesotans within their communities. Funds may be used for a variety of arts projects such as creating and/or presenting concerts, plays, tours, exhibitions, arts festivals, public art, or other kinds of activities that provide Minnesotans opportunities to engage in arts activities that are instilled into community or public life.
Program overview and application instructions
FY 2026 Arts Experiences Program Overview and Application Instructions—All applicants should read this document thoroughly before beginning online application.
Application deadline
May 2, 2025, before 4:30 p.m.
When will funds be awarded?
Grant awards will be approved at the December 2025 board meeting. The grant period for these awards will be February 2026- January 2027; all funded activities must take place within the grant period.
Who can apply?
Both individuals and organizations are eligible to apply. The applicant must be:
An individual
An artist working in dance, media arts, music, photography, poetry, prose, theater, two-and three-dimensional visual art; or
A culture bearer who has been trained by traditional elders or master artists and whose artistic practice is reflective of the cultural life of a community; or
An organization
A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt arts organization; or
A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonarts organization that regularly offers arts programming as an integral part of its mission; or
A unit of state, local, or tribal government; or
An arts affiliate of a nonprofit organization or public entity; or
An arts group without 501(c)(3) status applying with a Minnesota tax-exempt or public fiscal sponsor
An individual may submit an application in only one of the following programs in FY 2026: Creative Individuals, Arts Experiences, Arts Education, or Cultural Expression.
An organization may submit an application in only one of the following programs in FY 2026: Arts Experiences, Arts Education, Cultural Expression.
Additional eligibility requirements are included in the FY 2026 Arts Experiences Program Overview and Application Instructions. Please review all eligibility requirements carefully before beginning an application.
Grant range
Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000. No cash match is required.
Resources for applicants
FY 2026 Arts Experiences Information Session and Q&A with Program Officers
Recording | Download PowerPoint
Learn more about the FY 2026 Arts Experiences grant program. This virtual information session will provide details about the program purpose, eligibility, and application process.
FY 2026 Grant Programs Overview
The Arts Board hosted two virtual sessions giving a high-level overview of the grant programs offered for organizations and individuals in fiscal year 2026. Potential applicants may wish to review the recording of either of these sessions to help determine which is the best fit for their work. Note that the program specific information session linked above will provide a more in-depth understanding of the Arts Experiences grant program for potential applicants.
FY 2026 Grant Programs Overview for Organizations– Recording | Download PowerPoint
FY 2026 Grant Programs Overview for Individuals– Recording | Download PowerPoint
Sample applications
The following applications were submitted by fiscal year 2025 grantees.
The files may take several minutes to download.
• North Shore Music Association
If you have questions or need assistance
If you have questions about the content of the application form or narrative, please contact the program officer team:
Jenny Dodgson, Jamie Marshall, Adam Wiltgen
ArtsExperiences@arts.state.mn.us
(651) 539-2671
If you have questions about the technical aspects of the online application forms, or questions about electronic submission, please e-mail the Arts Board at:
Apply.Arts@state.mn.us
Tom Miller, WebGrants administrator
(651) 539-2656
Chris Berry, grants management systems administrator
(651) 539-2668
For accessibility inquiries or accommodation requests, please contact:
Sue Gens, outreach and accessibility coordinator
Sue.Gens@arts.state.mn.us
(651) 539-2658
The Arts Board offers accommodations, such as alternate format materials, transcription, and other technical assistance, upon request. Grant application deadlines are not able to be extended for any reason. To ensure we are able to provide you access, please make your accommodation request as soon as possible, and no less than two weeks prior to a grant application deadline.
All staff can be reached toll-free at (800) 866-2787 or via Minnesota Relay 711.
How to apply
Application method—All applicants are required to use the WebGrants system to apply and will submit all materials electronically. Registration is required of all applicants before beginning an application to any Arts Board program. It is only necessary to register once.
Two online tutorials are available to acquaint users with the WebGrants system:
Upcoming Grant Deadlines + Grant Writing Workshops
Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications
Applications Open Apply Now
Deadline for Arts Grants for Organizations is
March 31 & April 30
Individual Artist Grants is April 15
Grant Writing Training is March 11 at 4 PM &
April 9 at 2 PM
Thinking about public art in your community? Nonprofits and government organizations can start submitting applications for arts projects. The next deadlines are March 31 and April 30. Grants are between $500 and $10,000 and you can apply for one arts project at a time. 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 these two very important grant opportunities include 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.
Applications are also open for Individual Artist Grants. 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. Individual Artist Grants provide financial assistance for the exhibition, performance, or production of a specific creative work, mentoring with a more experienced artist, participation in not-for-credit arts experiences.
To be eligible you must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age and reside in the 7 county NW Minnesota region. College tuition is not an eligible expense. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Quick turnaround grants for $500 are available on an ongoing deadline -- first come, first served for individual artists. 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.
Schools in our seven-county region can also apply for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. 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.
Read more here about our grants and how to apply.
FREE Grant Writing Sessions
March 11 at 4 PM &
April 9 at 2 PM
We offer grant training workshops via Zoom or in person at the NWMAC office in Warren. The next one is March 11 at 4 PM. You must RSVP to attend. 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.
To learn more about grant programs and start an application visit NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. 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.
Arts Grants Funding Available for Organizations
Thinking about Public Art in Your Community?
Arts Grants Funding Available!
Upcoming Deadline for Arts Grants for Organizations is February 28
Free Grant Writing Workshop February 11
Apply Now
Applications are open for arts grants for nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, and other nonprofit organizations from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are February 28. 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 these very important grant opportunities include 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. This is a great way to bring arts experiences to your community.
We are offering a grant writing workshop online or in person to assist you with your application. You are welcome to come to our office in Warren for the workshop or to work on your grants. RSVPs are required for grant writing sessions – please email director@nwartscouncil.org.
The session will be held Tuesday, February 11 at 4:00 PM. You can also set up a time to work one-on-one with our director on the grant writing process.
Schools in our seven-county region can also apply now for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. 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.
Also available on a first come-first served basis are Quick Turnaround Grants for $500. 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.
To learn more about these grant programs and start an application visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. 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.
October 31 Deadline for Arts Grants of $500 to $10,000 for Government Entities and Non-Profits
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.
Upcoming Grant Deadlines
Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications for
Organizations, Individuals, & Schools
October 31 Deadline for Organizations
November 15 Deadline for Artist Grants for Individuals
October 31 is the grant deadline for nonprofits and government organizations. Organizations can apply for one arts project at a time and 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 these two very important grant opportunities include 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. Don't forget public art!
- CONSIDER PUBLIC ART -
Applications are also open for Individual Artist Grants. 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. Individual Artist Grants provide financial assistance for the exhibition, performance, or production of a specific creative work, mentoring with a more experienced artist, participation in not-for-credit arts experiences.
To be eligible you must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age and reside in the 7 county NW Minnesota region. College tuition is not an eligible expense.
Individual Artist Grants for either $1,500 or $5,000 have an annual deadline of November 15. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Quick turnaround grants for $500 are available on an ongoing deadline -- first come, first served. 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. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2024). 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.
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity Cultural Expression
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity
FY 2025 Cultural Expression
Application materials are now available for the Cultural Expression grant program. This program is open to individuals and organizations.
Cultural Expression grants support activities that share, explore, pass on, express, or celebrate culture through the arts. Culture may be defined by a common ethnicity, tribal affiliation, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or recreation. Traditional and contemporary forms of cultural expression may be funded in this program. Funds could be used to support practicing a cultural art form; presenting cultural festivals, community celebrations, performances, media or exhibitions; offering demonstrations; or passing on cultural traditions through apprenticeships or documentation.
Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000.
Applications must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024.
The Arts Board will host a virtual information session on June 5 for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose and application process. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions with program officers at the end of the session.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Arts Experiences program web page.
Cultural Expression Program Page
Important Dates:
June 5, 2024: Virtual Information Session and Q & A. This will be a real-time virtual session. It will also be recorded and available for later viewing.
July 12, 2024: Application deadline; all application materials must be submitted before 4:30 p.m.
January 2025: Arts Board approves grant awards.
March 2025 - February 2026: All funded activities must take place within these dates.
Questions? Visit this page arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural-expression.htm
The American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for fellowship grants
American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for Fellowship Grants
The American-Scandinavian Foundation annual competition for Scandinavian Folk Arts & Cultural Traditions in the Upper Midwest is now accepting applications.
Deadline: September 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT
amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
For further information and to begin an online application visit amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
Two kinds of awards are available: fellowships for artists and grants for organizations to present public programs and community projects. All grant applications should be for projects that encourage the practice of folk arts and cultures and the presentation of these arts to public audiences.
FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTISTS
Fellowships for artists deepen the skills of master artists; foster relationships among masters of artistic and technical skills and their apprentices, and encourage the development of traditional skills and the perpetuation of skills from generation to generation; and encourage the awareness of folk traditions by creating innovative projects with wide visibility and public appeal.
GRANTS FOR
PUBLIC PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Grants for public programs and community projects encourage the preservation of Scandinavian cultural traditions through the support of community festivals, celebrations, and heritage events as well as workshops, performances, classes, and demonstrations. Applicants for public programs grants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
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