Applications are open for numerous grants from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC). It’s time to start writing your arts grant application!
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 up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match. The competitive deadline is September 30, and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Equipment used solely for the pursuit of the arts, like a kiln, 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.
To apply, schools fill out an application showing interest in funding, then requests are made with add-on forms within the online 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.
ARTS GRANTS FOR NONPROFIT 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 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. Public art like murals or sculptures also fall into this category.
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 a 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.
Individuals must reside in the region (for one year prior) and remain living in the region during your entire grant year (2026). For 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.
NWAMC offers free grant writing sessions to help you write your grant application or to answer any questions. The upcoming sessions will be:
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 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. 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. 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 training sessions but would like assistance, please contact our office.
To learn more about our 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, ext 1.