Grant Programs
SEMAC offers funding opportunities for individual artists and culture bearers, nonprofit arts organizations, K-12 schools, as well as non-arts organizations, including local government entities, nonprofits, colleges, and universities.
Below lists the grant program categories offered by SEMAC. Use the menu to jump to the grant program of interest:
Grant Programs for Individual Artists and Culture Bearers
SEMAC offers the following grant opportunities for individual artists and culture bearers living in the 11-county SEMAC region:
Project Support for Individual Artists and Culture Bearers
These project grants are meant to encourage individual artists and culture bearers iliving n the 11-county SEMAC region to take the next step in their creative pursuits by providing the financial support needed to experiment, take on a challenge, or deepen their practice. Individuals creating new work in all disciplines, including but not limited to, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts are encouraged to apply.
There are two categories for these project grants: Emerging and Advancing. To be eligible to apply as Advancing, an applicant must demonstrate that they have received regional or national recognition for their previous work.
The grant proposal must be to support the creation of new work and include an opportunity for public engagement with that work. This public component could be an exhibition, a performance, a reading, or another in-person activity, or it could be a series of events. As long as this component is accessible and meaningfully engages the general public, the applicant can determine the format that best supports their project. The applicant will be asked in the grant application to identify a specific date for the public component for SEMAC to use for promotion and to send a representative to monitor.
Applicants who apply to present, adapt, or translate existing work such as a piece of music, a play, etc. will be asked to describe why they chose that specific work, how their choice advances their own creative pursuits, and how the proposed project fulfills the grant program’s focus to support the creation of new work. If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact the office before applying.
Award amount: $2,000 to $4,000 for Emerging and $3,000 to $6,000 for Advancing
Eligibility at a glance: Individual artists and culture bearers living in the SEMAC region. Recent Grantees must wait a year before reapplying. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: July 28 and January 19
Earliest start date: November 1 or April 18
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Rural Arts Grants
These project grants are meant to bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota with populations below 7,500. Eligible projects can be in any discipline, including but not limited to, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts.
The lead applicant can be an individual artist or culture bearer living in the 11-county SEMAC region or a nonprofit organization in the rural community where the proposed project is to take place. Proposed projects must include a collaboration with a local community partner – a nonprofit organization, library, government department or agency, tribal entity, etc. – opportunities for active community engagement, and an accessible public event.
For inspiration, artists and community leaders interested in this grant program are encouraged to see these resources: Heartland, Heartwork: A Field Guide to Place and Possibility for Rural Leaders published by Springboard for the Arts (springboardforthearts.org/books/) and the Department of Public Transformation’s Activate Rural program (publictransformation.org/activate-rural).
Award amount: $3,000 to $6,000
Purpose: To bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota with populations below 7,500.
Eligibility at a glance: Individual artists or culture bearers living in the SEMAC region, nonprofit arts organizations, non-arts organizations, or government entities in the rural community where the project will take place. Read more about eligibility
Application deadline: January 19
Earliest start date: April 18
Notes: Proposed projects must include a collaboration with a local community partner, opportunities for active community engagement, and an accessible public event. Individuals receiving this grant must wait a year before reapplying.
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Artists and Culture Bearers in the Schools
These residency grants are meant to provide students in grades K-12 non-religious schools with opportunities to work directly with artists and culture bearers during the school day. Grant activities must supplement the school’s arts curriculum and not be a substitute for these basic requirements and can be in any discipline, including but not limited to, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts.
The lead applicant for this grant can either be an individual artist or culture bearer living in the 11-county SEMAC region or the non-religious school in which the residency will take place. Written acknowledgement from the secondary applicant (school or artist) confirming their commitment and role in the proposed activities is required.
No public event is required. However the participating school must agree to share the residency in their district’s communications to families, with the School Board, and/or with any local press contacts to raise awareness of the importance of the arts.
Award Amount: $2,000 to $4,000
Purpose: To provide students in grades K-12 with opportunities to work directly with artists and culture bearers during the school day.
Eligibility at a glance: Individuals in the SEMAC region or the school where the residency will take place. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: August 1, October 1 and December 1, until funds run out
Earliest start date: October 1, December 1 or February 1
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Grant Programs for Arts Organizations
SEMAC provides various funding opportunities for nonprofit arts organizations located in the 11-county SEMAC region. Designed to support artistic development, community engagement, and organizational sustainability, these grants include:
Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations
These grants are meant to support activities directly involved in the creation, performance, publication, and exhibition of the arts with a focus in one or more of the three key areas identified in the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy Amendment – Arts Access, Arts Education, and Cultural Heritage.
Nonprofit arts and non-arts organizations (nonprofits, schools, local government and tribal entities) are eligible to apply and collaborations between arts and non-arts organizations are encouraged. An accessible public event is required.
Proposed budgets should give priority to paying fees to artists, creative production team members, and people providing technical support to help create and support a thriving arts ecosystem throughout southeastern Minnesota.
Award amount: $3,000 to $11,000
Purpose: To support activities directly involved in the creation, performance, publication, and exhibition of the arts with a focus in one or more of the three key areas identified in the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy Amendment – Arts Access, Arts Education, and Cultural Heritage.
Eligibility at a glance: Nonprofit arts organizations, non-religious K-12 schools, as well as non-arts organizations including local government entities, nonprofits, colleges, and universities. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and March 30
Earliest start date: January 1 or July 1
Notes: An accessible public event is required. Arts organizations receiving Operating Support from Minnesota State Arts Board are eligible to receive one grant per year for up to $11,000. All other nonprofit arts organizations are eligible to receive two grants per year (including Rural Arts Grants) for a maximum total of up to $16,000. Non-arts nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive one grant per year (including Rural Arts Grants) for up to $6,000
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Rural Arts Grants
These project grants are meant to bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota with populations below 7,500. Eligible projects can be in any discipline, including but not limited to, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts.
The lead applicant can be an individual artist or culture bearer living in the 11-county SEMAC region or a nonprofit organization in the rural community where the project is proposed to take place. Proposed projects must include a collaboration with a local community partner – a nonprofit organization, library, government department or agency, tribal entity, etc. – opportunities for active community engagement, and an accessible public event.
For inspiration, artists and community leaders interested in this grant program are encouraged to see these resources: Heartland, Heartwork: A Field Guide to Place and Possibility for Rural Leaders published by Springboard for the Arts (springboardforthearts.org/books/) and the Department of Public Transformation’s Activate Rural program (publictransformation.org/activate-rural).
Award amount: $3,000 to $6,000
Purpose: To bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota with populations below 7,500.
Eligibility at a glance: Individual artists or culture bearers living in the SEMAC region, non-profit arts organizations, non-arts organizations, or government entities in the rural community where the project will take place. Read more about eligibility
Application deadline: January 19
Earliest start date: April 18
Notes: Proposed projects must include a collaboration with a local community partner, opportunities for active community engagement, and an accessible public event
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grants (available in 2027)
These grants are meant to provide the support nonprofit arts organizations located in the 11-county SEMAC region need to adapt to change, work on new strategies, develop competencies, or to improve processes and systems.
Examples of eligible proposals include feasibility studies for accessibility, strategic planning, financial consultation, and professional development opportunities for staff. Proposals to purchase new equipment to be used for arts programming also will be considered, if the applicant can make a strong case for how it would increase the organization’s ability to better serve the needs of its community and/or contribute to the future financial health of the organization.
In addition to a written final report, representatives from organizations receiving this grant must participate in a public forum to share information gained and the impact of the grant on their organization.
Award amount: $1,000 to $5,000
Purpose: to provide the support nonprofit arts organizations need to adapt to change, work on new strategies, develop competencies, or to improve processes and systems.
Eligibility at a glance: Nonprofit arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status. recipients may reapply every three years, i.e. an organization receiving this grant in FY2027 may not apply again until FY2030. Read more about eligibility.
Application Deadline: TBA
Earliest start date: TBA
Notes: In addition to a written final report, representatives from organizations receiving this grant must participate in a public forum to share information gained and the impact of the grant on their organization
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
General Operating Support Grants
Nonprofit arts organizations in the SEMAC region with operating expenses of less than $174,000 are invited to apply for these grants to strengthen and stabilize their organization by supporting administrative and other overhead expenses over the course of two years (biennial grant). Recipients of this grant must submit an interim report after Year One to receive Year Two payment.
Award amount: Up to $5,000 per year (up to $10,000 total over two years)
Eligibility at a glance: Nonprofit arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status, annual operating expenses less than $174,000, and that have been in operation for a minimum of three years. Read more about eligibility
Application deadline: The application opens July 1 and will be accepted until funding runs out.
Earliest start date: Applicants submitting by August 31 will be notified in mid-November and may start as early as December 1. Applicants submitting by October 31 will be notified in mid-January and may start as early as February 1.
Notes: Grantees must submit an interim report after Year One to receive Year Two payment. Colleges and universities are not eligible
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Grant Programs for Non-Arts Organizations
SEMAC offers funding opportunities for local government and tribal entities, nonprofits, colleges, and universities in the 11-county SEMAC region whose primary mission is not the arts but who wish to incorporate arts programming into their community service:
Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations
These grants are meant to support activities directly involved in the creation, performance, publication, and exhibition of the arts in the SEMAC region with a focus in one or more of the three key areas identified in the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy Amendment – Arts Access, Arts Education, and Cultural Heritage.
Nonprofit arts and non-arts organizations (nonprofits, schools, local government and tribal entities) are eligible to apply and collaborations between arts and non-arts organizations are encouraged. An accessible public event is required.
Proposed budgets should give priority to paying fees to artists, creative production team members, and people providing technical support to help create and support a thriving arts ecosystem throughout southeastern Minnesota.
Award amount: $3,000 to $11,000. Arts organizations receiving Operating Support from the Minnesota State Arts Board are eligible to receive one grant per year for up to $11,000. All other arts organizations are eligible to receive two grants per year for a maximum total of up to $16,000. Arts organizations may use a fiscal sponsor. Non-arts organizations with 501(c)3 status are eligible to receive one grant per year for up to $6,000. Partner organizations may not submit for the same project during the same grant round.
Eligibility at a glance: Nonprofit arts organizations, K-12 schools, as well as non-arts organizations including local government entities, nonprofits, colleges, and universities. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and March 30
Earliest start date: January 1 or July 1
Notes: An accessible public event is required. Partner organizations may not submit for the same project during the same grant round.
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Rural Arts Grants
These project grants are meant to bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota with populations below 7,500. Eligible projects can be in any discipline, including but not limited to, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts.
The lead applicant can be an individual artist or culture bearer living in the 11-county SEMAC region or a nonprofit organization in the rural community where the proposed project is to take place. Proposed projects must include a collaboration with a local community partner – a nonprofit organization, library, government department or agency, tribal entity, etc. – opportunities for active community engagement, and an accessible public event.
For inspiration, artists and community leaders interested in this grant program are encouraged to see these resources: Heartland, Heartwork: A Field Guide to Place and Possibility for Rural Leaders published by Springboard for the Arts (springboardforthearts.org/books/) and the Department of Public Transformation’s Activate Rural program (publictransformation.org/activate-rural).
Award amount: $3,000 to $6,000
Eligibility at a glance: Individual artists or culture bearers living in the SEMAC region, non-profit arts organizations, non-arts organizations, or government entities in the rural community where the project will take place. Read more about eligibility
Application deadline: January 19
Earliest start date: April 18
Notes: Proposed projects must include a collaboration with a local community partner, opportunities for active community engagement, and an accessible public event
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Grant Programs for K-12 Schools
SEMAC offers funding opportunities for individual artists and culture bearers, nonprofit arts organizations, non-religious K-12 schools, as well as non-arts organizations, including local government entities, nonprofits, colleges, and universities.SEMAC is proud to support arts education in southeastern Minnesota K-12 non-religious schools through the following grant programs:
Artists and Culture Bearers in the Schools
These residency grants are meant to provide students in grades K-12 with opportunities to work directly with artists and culture bearers during the school day. Grant activities must supplement the school’s arts curriculum and not be a substitute for these basic requirements and can be in any discipline, including but not limited to, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts.
The lead applicant for this grant can either be an individual artist or culture bearer living in the 11-county SEMAC region or the non-religious school in which the residency will take place. Written acknowledgement from the secondary applicant (school or artist) confirming their commitment and role in the proposed activities is required.
No public event is required. However the participating school must agree to share the residency in their district’s communications to families, with the School Board, and/or with any local press contacts to raise awareness of the importance of the arts.
Award Amount: $2,000 to $4,000
Purpose: To provide students in grades K-12 with opportunities to work directly with artists and culture bearers during the school day.
Eligibility at a glance: Individuals in the SEMAC region or the school where the residency will take place. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: August 1, October 1 and December 1, until funds run out
Earliest start date: October 1, December 1, or February 1
Notes: Grant activities must supplement the school’s arts curriculum and not be a substitute for these basic requirements. No public event is required. However the participating school must agree to share the residency in their district’s communications to families, with the School Board, and/or with any local press contacts to raise awareness of the importance of the arts
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations
These grants are meant to support activities directly involved in the creation, performance, publication, and exhibition of the arts in the 11-county SEMAC region with a focus in one or more of the three key areas identified in the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy Amendment – Arts Access, Arts Education, and Cultural Heritage.
Nonprofit arts and non-arts organizations (nonprofits, non-religious schools, local government and tribal entities) are eligible to apply and collaborations between arts and non-arts organizations are encouraged. An accessible public event is required.
Proposed budgets should give priority to paying fees to artists, creative production team members, and people providing technical support to help create and support a thriving arts ecosystem throughout southeastern Minnesota.
Award amount: $3,000 to $11,000.
Purpose: To support activities directly involved in the creation, performance, publication, and exhibition of the arts with a focus in one or more of the three key areas identified in the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy Amendment – Arts Access, Arts Education, and Cultural Heritage.
Eligibility at a glance: Nonprofit arts organizations, K-12 schools, as well as non-arts organizations including local government entities, nonprofits, colleges, and universities. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and March 30
Earliest start date: January 1 or July 1
Notes: An accessible public event is required. Partner organizations may not submit for the same project during the same grant round
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions as well as tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Contact SEMAC
For more information about or assistance with SEMAC’s grant programs:
- Phone: 507.281.4848
- Email: staff@semac.org
- Instagram @southeasternmnartscouncil | Facebook @SEMAC
- Contact sharon@semac.org, 711 TTY with accessibility needs.