About Us

History and Purpose

As a result of legislation and established in September 1977 by the State of Minnesota, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council is part of a statewide system of eleven regional arts councils (RACs) that receives a legislative allocation for the arts.  In an effort to increase access to and participation in the arts, increase arts awareness, and ensure equitable distributionof legislative arts funding, the RACs work throughout the state in partnership with the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Each RAC is an autonomous, grassroots organization designated to assess arts needs, develop programs and services to meet those needs, and distribute grants to fund arts programs in the region.  The primary funding sources for SEMAC’s activities are an allocation from the Minnesota State Legislature, and grants from the McKnight Foundation of Minneapolis.

Core Values

SEMAC seeks out and rewards creative efforts of high artistic integrity that stand out among similar efforts.  High quality art should be challenging and original, able to illuminate the human condition and serve the vital interests of the community.  Rooted in basic human values, art should move the imagination and the heart, and enrich rather than merely entertain.  Art should be artistically challenging for both the artists and the audience, and should significantly contribute to the development and enrichment of a given art form(s).  SEMAC funded artists must demonstrate serious training with reputable teachers or mentors, a commitment to their art form and life as an artist, and present art of lasting value.