Funding Application Deadline
Emergency Relief Program Guidelines and Instructions
PROGRAM SUMMARY: Thanks to the generosity of a coalition of Minnesota-based funders, the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council will offer a pilot year of Emergency Relief Funding to artists and creatives, ages 18 years and older, who live in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties in Minnesota who are facing a housing, healthcare, legal, or property loss emergency. Eligible applicants will be selected through a randomized selection process to receive a one-time award of $500.
APPLICATION DEADLINE and AWARD PROCESS: June 15, August 15, October 15, December 1, 2026 (as funds allow). Random selection from among the pool of applicants will take place two days before our bi-monthly board meetings. Recipients will be contacted the following Tuesday. Northwest Minnesota Arts Council anticipates selecting up to ten recipients bi-monthly, as funds remain. Payment within 30 days of award. Unfunded applications will be carried forward until Dec 31, 2026 then be shredded.
ELIGIBILITY: Who is eligible to apply for an Emergency Relief Fund Award? Applicant must:
Be at least eighteen years old on or before the application deadline.
Have their primary residence within Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties. Applicants will provide Proof of Residency, which can be demonstrated through including a valid Minnesota driver's license or ID card.
Be an individual artist or creative at any stage of their arts career however, applicants do not need to have art as their primary form of livelihood.
Be facing a housing, healthcare, legal, or property loss emergency. Proof of your emergency is not required.
Applicants may not receive more than one Emergency Relief Award from Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, and may not receive Emergency Relief Funding from more than one Regional Arts Council in Minnesota.
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Board Members, employees, and contracted workers are not eligible to apply for this program.
Northwest Minnesota Arts Council values applicants’ privacy, especially in times of crisis. No identifying data will be made public by our office in relation to the Emergency Relief Fund Program.Recipients are not required to acknowledge their award publicly. FMI or questions please call 218-745-8886 ext 1 or email Mara Hanel at nwartscouncil.director@gmail.com.
Emergency Relief Fund Award Application for NW MN
Complete the application and return it with your arts background statement, work samples and a copy of proof of your residency within our Northwest Minnesota region. Deadlines are June 15, August 15, October 15, and December 1, 2026. Mailing address is NWMAC, 109 S Minnesota St, Warren, MN 56762. Our phone number is 218-745-8886 ext 1.
Make sure you type or print clearly and carefully so we can read your answers.
Your First and Last Name:
Your Mailing Address:
Your Social Security Number:
Your Contact Phone Number:
Your Email Address:
Please consider helping us by stating/circling how you identify. Race _______ Gender _____ Age 20s/30s/40s/50s/60s/70s/80+ LGBTQ Yes/No Disability Yes/No
Circle/state what emergency you suffered: housing, healthcare, legal, property loss, ______
What date did your emergency occur?
Your Arts Background: Send a short summary (2-3 paragraphs) about your background in the arts. Tell us about how you learned to do your artwork, how long you've been doing it, what motivates you to create art. Use a separate sheet of paper and send with your app.
Work Samples: Mail or email to nwartscouncil.director@gmail.com 2 samples of your art, performance, or writing completed in the last six months. A link to an online video, image, website, or social media page may be provided. Make sure that URL links work properly and go directly to your work sample. We use PC computers.
Residency Proof: Mail or email a copy of your MN Driver’s license proving your residency in the MN counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, or Roseau. If you do not have a MN driver’s license, contact our office to discuss your options.
Electronic Signature: I certify that all the information submitted is accurate, and that I meet all the eligibility and certification requirements.
Your Typed or Signed Name:
Today’s Date: