Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grants 

School Arts Equipment Grant September 30

Arts Project Grant Oct 31 

Individual Artist Grant November 15

Applications are now open for arts grants from the NWMAC

Nonprofits and government organizations 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. 

Schools in our 7-county region can apply for a grant for Arts Equipment. 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 competitive deadline has recently changed to September 30, first come first served. 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.

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.

To apply, schools fill out an application showing interest in funding, then requests are made with add-on forms within the on-line grant software for specific project funding requests. Schools can initially apply for two residencies. Then, based on remaining funding, can request up to four residencies total. Each residency requires a 10% cash match. Funding for residency activities comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota.

Applications are open for Individual Artist Grants for $5,000, $3,000, and $1,500 and have a November 15 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. Grants are awarded annually with $1,500 going to four individuals; $3,000 going to three individuals and $5,000 going to three individuals. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. 

Free Grant Writing Workshops are on zoom -- contact our office for a link. You can also come to our office in Warren and attend from our grant writing station.

Monday, September 22 at 4 PM mainly for School Applicants

Wednesday, October 8 at 4 PM mainly for Organization Applicants

Tuesday, October 28 at 10 AM mainly for Individual Applicants

These free grant writing sessions are offered to help you write your grant application or to answer any questions. You can attend via Zoom or at our office in Warren. You must RSVP to attend.

To learn more about 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, extension 1.