Arts News
Crookston Artist and 2022 Artist of the Year Ross Hier featured in Prairie Mosaic Video
Watch this Prairie Mosaic video featuring Crookston Wildlife Artist and 2022 Artist of the Year Ross Hier. https://youtu.be/US4WLCBQ93k
Arts Funding Available — additional grant deadline is May 1
Arts Grants Funding Available!
May 1 Deadline for Project Grants Added
Artist Residency Grants Available
Apply Now
Applications are open for Project 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. There is a bonus grant deadline of May 1. 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.
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 under the artists tab on our website. 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.
You can begin your grant application by clicking on the Grant Login button on the top right of every page on our website. Please reach out with questions.
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.
Art Residency Opportunity in New York Mills
Call to Artists
Art Residency Opportunity
The Arts Retreat artist residency program of the Cultural Center in New York Mills focuses on providing dedicated artists time for creative development and exploration. The program offers a unique taste of life in rural Minnesota while allowing the artists virtually uninterrupted time in which to immerse themselves in their artwork.
When the Cultural Center was founded its name was “The New York Mills Arts Retreat.” The artist retreat and residency program remains central to the mission, purpose, values, and vision of the Center today.
Artists from all disciplines (performance, written, audio and visual media) will be considered for a residency. The selection committee awards residencies to artists based on artistic merit and commitment to the arts.
Artists are responsible for their own transportation to and from New York Mills, MN and food while in residence. The Cultural Center provides a one bedroom home, all linens, dishes etc. The Center requests that artists perform an outreach project, usually within the schools. For more information check the website: www.kulcher.org, or contact: cheryl@kulcher.org. Applications for the Artist Residency Program at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in New York Mills MN are now being accepted. Deadline is April 1. Information and application can be found on the website: https://www.kulcher.org/programs/artist-retreat/
The residency program is open to artists of all disciplines; writers, poets, playwrights, visual artists, musicians and dancers, and offers time and space to create without distraction.
Fertile is looking for artists to provide after school programming or residency
The Fertile-Beltrami School ISD#599 is looking for artists to provide arts programming for upper elementary school students for after school programming. Think of this as an after school artist residency! This might be for 1-2 weeks and could be grade level specific).
Please reach out to Brian Clarke at bclarke@isd599.org.
Upcoming Grant Deadlines March 1. Free Grant Writing Workshop February 14
Arts Grants Funding Available!
Upcoming Grant Deadlines
Free Grant Writing Workshop February 14
Apply Now
Applications are open for Project 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 March 1. 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.
Free Grant Writing Session
February 14 at 11 am
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 in our new setting. RSVPs are required for grant writing sessions – please email director@nwartscouncil.org.
The session will be held Tuesday, February 14 at 11:00 am. 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.
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.
Call for Entries for the 2023 Annual Art Exhibit — Submit your artwork now!
The NWMAC is Calling for Entries for the
2023 Annual Art Exhibit.
The deadline to submit your artwork is
February 28, 2023!
This year, the annual Art Exhibit will be in Middle River at the Legacy Center in March and April. Adult artwork will be dropped off starting on Monday, March 6 and student artwork later that month. More information will be announced soon.
Artists from our 7 county- service region can enter into this art exhibit and will be competing for $2,300 in cash awards. Artists must reside in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Pennington, Roseau, or Red Lake counties to be eligible. Both adult and student artists are encouraged to enter. Exhibit cash award winners will be chosen while the exhibit is on display by a qualified juror. They will be recognized and receive their check at the Artist Reception at the Middle River Legacy Center on Sunday, April 30. Artists are welcome to have their work in the exhibit available for sale.
See https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/nwmnartsexhibit-apply for more information, including the exhibit entry rules and directions. If you would like the application mailed to you, please contact our office 218-745-8886 or director@nwartscouncil.org. The application must be submitted no later than February 28, 2023.
Minnesota Playwrights’ Center Opportunities for Writers, Fellowships, Theater Artists, Artist Statements, Digital Work Samples
Here are some of the resources offered or administered by the the Minnesota Playwrights’ Center. Reach out to Julia Brown (she/her/hers), Artistic Programs Manager, with questions at Playwrights’ Center, www.pwcenter.org | 612-332-7481 x.1115, 2301 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406.
McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting application deadline January 12, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
For Minnesota playwrights with some professional experience. Benefits include at $25,000 stipend, $2,500 in development funds, and $1,400 in travel funds.
Core Writer Program application deadline January 19, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Open to playwrights throughout the country. Selected writers receive three years of development and career support.
Working Session: Artist Statements on Zoom, January 23, 2023 6-7:30 p.m. CT
A free online work session about creating effective artist statements. Presented in partnership with Springboard for the Arts and lead by Alison Bergblom Johnson.
Working Session: Digital Work Sampleson Zoom, February 13, 2023 6-7:30 p.m. CT
A free online work session for theater artists about putting together digital work samples. Presented in partnership with Springboard for the Arts and lead by Aaron Fiskradatz and Abbee Warmboe.
McKnight Theater Artist Fellowshipapplication deadline March 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT
For Minnesota theater artists other than playwrights (i.e. actors, directors, designers, stage managers, etc). Selected fellows receive a $25,000 stipend and the opportunity to develop a new project.
Nominate Area Artists or Arts Advocates for an Of the Year Award
Nominate Area Artists or Arts Advocates for an Of the Year Award
It’s that time of the year …
Of the Year Award Nominations Accepted Until
February 28
Nominate one of the many deserving artists or arts advocates in our region for Artist of the Year, Arts Advocate of the Year, or the once in a lifetime NW Star Award!
Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Often people serve in both roles. Nominations are due on the last day of February each year.
The Northwest Star Award is a lifetime achievement award. This award is for $5,000 and can be a wonderful gift to those who have chosen a hard career path related to artistic expression. Artists can only receive this award once.
Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500 to use however they see fit.
Our Arts Advocate of the Year award is $500 and honors someone who keeps being a voice and advocate for arts within the community or local school or the region. Arts includes all disciplines.
An ELIGIBLE NOMINATION must include one completed nomination form, narrative on merit, letters supporting the nomination, a copy of the nominee’s resume or detailed qualifications, five work samples if artist, and be received by the last day of February. Only residents of the Minnesota counties Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau are eligible for these $500 awards. We also give a large Northwest Star Artist award. The first step is to nominate the person for Northwest Artist. One person will be selected to receive a $5,000 cash award from the pool of candidates and receive our Northwest Star recognition. This person must be beyond an emerging or student status to be considered. This truly is a once in a lifetime award. Additional criteria apply so please contact our office for more information if you feel your nominee will be considered 218-745-8886.
RESTRICTIONS: Each award can be received only once in a lifetime. Nominations will not be carried over from year to year. Previous nominees must be re-nominated each year. It is the policy of NWMAC that nominees will not be notified of their nomination unless they are chosen to receive an Award.
* * * * * * * *
Please consider nominating someone who you view as a deserving candidate from our seven-county service area in northwestern Minnesota. Questions? Contact our office at (218) 745-8886 or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org for more information. The nomination form is here. Curious who has received these awards in the past? Find out here.
Awards are presented at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Exhibit reception. Funding for Northwest Star and Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Funding for Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.
CANCELED —Teaching Artist Roster Program (TARP) has upcoming training scheduled Apply until January 11!
Teaching Artist Roster Program (TARP) Training Will Be Held January-February 2023
Apply by January 11
What is being offered?
This is a series of 7 training sessions on professionally marketing and teaching your art form to students. Sessions include business skills on lesson plans, artistic statements, web listing, mock grant application on sponsoring you, mock press release on yourself.
Who should apply?
Area creatives interested in earning income by working within our local schools and festivals as an artist in residency.
Who will facilitate the training?
Jane Anderson of Thief River Falls again has agreed to serve as our consultant. Jane has led four cohorts in the past and does a great job. She’s also lots of fun.
When and Where will this be held?
Online for six Thursdays in 2023 from January 19 until February 23 from 6-9 PM on Zoom. Training ends on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in person in Warren from 10 AM - 4 PM.
What is the result?
In addition to honing your teaching skills, you will join our Teaching Artist Roster list on our website where schools and festivals go to select who they would like to sponsor with our grant funds. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive training for free! Being selected into the TARP cohort is the equivalent of receiving a $500 grant award.
How Do I Apply?
Log into our grants systems via the Grant Login button in the top righthand corner of our website. You will apply through that system.
Questions?
Reach out to our director, Mara Hanel at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or 218-745-8886.
Artist-in-Residence Apply Now
McCanna House ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM through ND Museum of Art
Consider applying for the North Dakota Museum of Art McCanna House Artist-in-Residence Program. This retreat consists of a 1920’s farmhouse and large outlying steel building in the midst of the thriving farmland of the Red River Valley of Eastern North Dakota.
While the residency affords no dedicated media specific facilities at this time, the open mutable space of the house, barn and grounds affords opportunity for the creation of work in many scales. The powerfully vast physical space of the Great Plains allows the imagination to run wild, with the close proximity to large scale agriculture drawing one into the cycles of growth and harvest. Out of this open horizon emerges a peace and presence of mind uniquely conducive to creativity and artistic shift.
The solo residency consists of 2-4 week blocks throughout the operating year. Winter dictates that the house is open from June 1st to the end of September.
While there are no expectations for the artist to complete work during the residency, artists are asked to use their time wisely, and be aware of the transformative potential of time spent there. Artists will not be asked to teach classes, or give public lectures as a requirement of the residency.
Visit the NDMOA’s website for more info: https://ndmoa.com/artist-residency/
Find Accessible Arts Activities and/or Promote Your Accessible Arts Activities
Minnesota arts & cultural organizations offering accessible programs and services are welcome to list events on the Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar. An account is required; register today or log in to submit events. New accounts need to be approved by the Minnesota Access Alliance board before you’ll be able to submit events. Please allow 48 hours for your registration to be approved.
The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides this Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for patrons who use accessibility accommodations. At the their website you’ll find listings of (in order):
* Captioning,
* ASL interpreting,
* Audio Description,
* Sensory-friendly accommodations, and
* Disability-related events.
Each listing links to more details on MNAA’s online calendar (https://calendar.mnaccess.org). Be sure to check the listing or venue to find out its COVID-19 protocol and if you need to make an advance reservation for the accessibility service.
Minnesota Accessible Activities Calendar is here: https://calendar.mnaccess.org
If you previously had an account to submit events to VSA Minnesota’s Accessible Art Activities Calendar, your credentials for that calendar are still valid here.
All submitted events are reviewed by the MNAA board before being published to the calendar. Please allow 48 hours for your submission to be approved.
This calendar only lists events that provide explicit accommodations for people with disabilities. Information about the accessibility of the event location and provided accommodations is a requirement in order to be listed.
To submit events and register start at this page: https://calendar.mnaccess.org/calendar/submit/
If you know of other accessible events, please ask those venues to submit their events to the MNAA Calendar (and to MinnesotaPlaylist.com).
Anyone can get this monthly calendar: email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org and indicate which list you want: the entire list or specifically ASL Interpreting, Captioning, Audio Description, Sensory Friendly accommodations or Disability-related topics.
Perpich Arts High School Accepting Applications until Feb 1
Perpich Arts High School is accepting applications until February 1
Perpich is a public, residential-optional, tuition-free high school for MN students in 11th and 12th grade. They are a unique public school created by the MN Legislature in 1985 and opened in 1989 to provide an in-depth art curriculum for students from across the state. Students study state required academics in the morning, then spend the afternoon in one of seven art concentrations:
Dance, Literary Arts (creative writing), Media Arts (photography and cinema), Music, Musical Theater, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Learn more: https://perpich.mn.gov/arts-high-school/
"Inspire people to believe in themselves and they will accomplish extraordinary things." - Gov. Rudy Perpich
Minnesota State Arts Board’s Operating Support Grant Program
Minnesota State Arts Board launches
FY 2024 Operating Support grant program
Application materials and online application forms are now available for the FY 2024 Operating Support grant program. Applications must be received before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Operating Support provides general support to high quality, established arts organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art; to organizations that provide a broad range of services to practicing artists; and to community arts schools and conservatories that make arts learning available to Minnesotans of all ages and abilities.
More detailed and specific requirements for this program are described in the FY 2024 Operating Support Program Overview and Application Instructions document posted on the Arts Board website: http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/operating-support.htm
All applicants are encouraged to carefully review the FY 2024 Operating Support Program Overview and Application Instructions, and pay particular attention to the program's eligibility requirements, before beginning an application.
For questions about the program, eligibility, or application requirements, please contact:
Sue Gens
(651) 539-2658; toll-free (800) 866-2787
Sue.Gens@arts.state.mn.us
For accessibility inquiries and accommodation requests contact:
Annick Dall-Desbois, outreach and accessibility coordinator
(651) 539-2651; toll-free (800) 866-2787 Minnesota Relay 711
Annick.Dall-Desbois@arts.state.mn.us
Playwrights’ Center Programs Applications Open
PLAYWRIGHTS’ CENTER PROGRAMS
In partnership with the McKnight and Jerome Foundations, the Playwrights’ Center provides more than $400,000 each year to playwrights and theater artists in the United States. In addition, they continue breaking ground with playwright-centric development processes, bold theater partnerships, and online and onsite resources serving 2,300 member playwrights worldwide. Their programs for playwrights and other theater artists, including deadlines are below.
For playwrights:
-The Many Voices Mentorship supports specifically BIPOC artists from Minnesota who are new to playwriting. (deadline December 1)
-The McKnight Fellowship in Playwriting supports mid-career/established Minnesota-based playwrights (deadline December 15)
For other theater artists:
-The McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship supports mid-career Minnesota-based theater artists other than playwrights (while the deadline for this program is March 30, 2023, it is helpful to submit an intent to apply as soon as possible.)
-The Core Writer Program supports professional playwrights from anywhere in the US for three years, including development support and career resources (deadline January 19)
Reach out to Julia Brown (she/her/hers), Artistic Programs Manager, for more information at juliab@pwcenter.org.
Playwrights’ Centerwww.pwcenter.org | 612-332-7481 x.11152301 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Call for Student Art: Art Inspired by Art
Call for Student Art
for an exhibition
Art Inspired by Art
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is announcing a call for student art in the NW Minnesota region. This exhibit is titled Art Inspired by Art and will feature visual art, writing, and music. Consider submitting illustration, watercolor, acrylics, 3-D works of clay, ceramics, or other 3-D mediums. Written works, such as music lyrics and poetry, along with recorded music will also be considered.
Include a description of the art your work is based on, along with your thought process.
Example of lyrics inspired by a famous piece of literature…
Song: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by the Beatles
Inspired by: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Popular Lyric:
"Picture yourself in a boat on a river/With tangerine trees and marmalade skies/Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly/A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.”
Submissions Due May 19, 2023
Art Inspired by Art will be open June-July
NWMAC Gallery
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls.
Contact Trey Everett at the NWMAC for details. https://northwestminnesotaartscouncil.org/
218-745-8886
Writers, Enter the Minnesota Mystery Flash Fiction Contest
Attention Writers! Tap into your inner Arthur Conan Doyle and submit a short historical mystery in the Minnesota Mystery Flash Fiction Contest!
Inspired by Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition now on display at the Minnesota History Center, this contest gives you the chance to share your take on a Minnesota historical mystery and become a featured author. The selected winner will have their original story featured in an upcoming issue of Minnesota History magazine. The game is afoot! Visit their website for more info and to submit.
Submission requirements
Here are some clues to what contest judges are looking for and requirements that all submissions must follow to be considered. Check out the Official Contest Rules for full details. For more info and to submit visit their page: https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter/activities/museum/sherlock/contest.
All stories must:
Involve a Minnesota historical figure or event (see their website for ideas)
Be set in a time period before 1985
Involve a mystery in the plot
Your submission also must meet the following criteria to be considered:
No more than 1,500 words in length
Language and themes must be appropriate for all ages
No previously published works allowed (let them know if your story is accepted elsewhere during the contest period)
Be an original work of the author and not violate any intellectual property rights
Be submitted through this contest’s official form, with all requirements and rules accepted
How will your story be judged?
The judges are looking for a mystery story that is original, cleverly plotted, historically accurate, plausible, and has proper style and grammar. In short, they are looking for good, well-written, interesting mysteries that highlight Minnesota history!
Important contest dates
Oct. 21: Submission period opens
Dec. 15: Submission period ends
Jan 9: Three winners contacted
Apr. 1: Winning entries posted on MNHS.org, top winner’s story featured in Minnesota History
Looking for ideas? Check out MNopedia
MNopedia.org is the Minnesota Encyclopedia, compiled by the Minnesota Historical Society. Visit to read a few articles they have created that may inspire or inform the characters, setting, or plot of your mystery. But don’t limit yourself — dig into Minnesota history and see what else you can uncover!
Individual Artist Grant Application Deadline is November 15
There’s still time to apply! Individual Artist Grants have a November 15 deadline for $1,500 and an ongoing deadline for 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.
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. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Start your application today! The grant application process is completely online. Log into the grant application software on the top righthand corner of the webpage. If you have questions, 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.
Call for Art - The Art of Addiction
We are looking for NW Minnesota artists to submit work for an upcoming exhibit — The Art of Addiction at our gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Submissions will join work by Potter Kate Hammer.
All mediums are welcome including, but not limited to sculpture, textile, oil, pen and ink, poetry, creative writing, song, video, mosaic, watercolor, acrylic, collage, clay, photography and more.
The exhibit will be open in March and April 2023. Submissions are due no later than February 20. You will need to submit a photo and description (size, etc) of your work to Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com before that time. Please reach out to Trey with any questions.
NEA Big Read
NEA Big Read
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEABig Read broadens our understanding of our world, our neighbors, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience. Showcasing a diverse range of contemporary themes, voices, and perspectives, the NEA Big Read aims to inspire meaningful conversations, artistic responses, and new discoveries and connections in each community. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 each, and the Intent to Apply is due on January 18, 2023.
WHAT: The NEA Big Read is a reading program that brings communities together around a selected book title.
WHEN: Applications are due January 25, 2023 (with the Intent to Apply due January 18), and funded projects must occur between September 2023 – June 2024.
WHERE: Nonprofit organizations and public libraries located across the United States and the Native nations that share this geography can apply.
WHO: Arts organizations, universities, libraries, service organizations, museums, school districts, and tribal governments are all encouraged to apply.
Applicants are now required to submit an Intent to Apply at least one week prior to the application deadline.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 granting cycle. Visit How to Apply for more information.
Contact:
612.238.8024 neabigread@artsmidwest.org
Arts Grants Funding Available - Upcoming Deadlines for Individual Artist Grants, Project Grants, and More!
Arts Grants Funding Available!
Upcoming Deadlines for Individual Artist Grants, Project Grants, Artist Residency Grants, Arts Equipment for Schools
Apply Now
Individual Artist Grants have a November 15 deadline for $1,500 and an ongoing deadline for 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.
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. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Upcoming grants deadlines for these are November 1 and March 1. 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. This is a great way to bring arts experiences to your community.
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.
Schools can also apply for Arts Equipment for their school by November 1 each year. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match requirement. Funds for this arts equipment in schools grant program come from the general fund of the State of Minnesota.
Start an application on our website. 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.