Grant Eligibility and Restrictions
The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) offers grants to support arts activities throughout our 11-county region. Find detailed eligibility information for your specific applicant category below.
Grant Eligibility for Individual Artists and Culture Bearers
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Individuals
Every individual applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- Be at least 18 years of age on the Final Submission Deadline and not currently enrolled in high school.
- Be a United States citizen or resident alien.
- Have been a full-time resident of the SEMAC region for at least six months and agree to reside in Minnesota for the duration of the proposed grant activity.
- No overdue final reports. Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round.
- May not apply as an emerging artist at any time after having received funding as an advancing artist
- Recent Grantees must sit out one year before applying again. Unsuccessful applicants may apply again as early as the next deadline.
Individuals are eligible to receive two grants per year:
- One Project Support Grant or one Rural Arts Grant, and
- One Artists and Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant
Grant Project Restrictions for Individuals
Grant proposals may not include any of the following:
- Activities that are essentially for the religious socialization of the participants or audience
- Activities that attempt to influence any state or federal legislation or appropriation
- Benefits, fundraisers, donations, and re-granting money (including outside scholarships, endowment funds, and/or prize money)
- Feasibility studies
- Capital improvement, construction, or purchase of real property
- Historic preservation projects
- Activities that violate federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, or policies
- Projects related to a class, course, or degree requirements
- Fees paid to Public Event venues cannot exceed 10% of the funds requested from SEMAC
Disallowed Expenses for Individuals
The following budget items may not be included:
- Costs for relocating outside Minnesota
- Out of state travel or activities
- Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date
- Living expenses (however, artist fees are encouraged)
- Legal fees (except for copyrights or royalties)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Grant writing expenses
Contract Requirements for Individuals
All individual grantees must agree to the following:
- Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity
- Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval)
- Out of State Travel: No funding for travel outside of Minnesota
- Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences
- Letters of Thanks: Send to representatives in the Minnesota State Legislative district where you live
- Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date
- Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss
- Residency and Eligibility: Remain in Minnesota during grant activity
Important Notes for Individuals
- Recipients of Project Support grants must wait a year before applying again.
- Grants to individual artists are taxable income
- Grant recipients must submit Federal Form W-9 and will receive Federal Form 1099
Grant Eligibility for Arts Organizations
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Every arts organization applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- Be located in the SEMAC Region
- Have a clearly defined Mission Statement, preferably on the website
- Be registered with the state of Minnesota as a nonprofit corporation
- Have current 501(c)(3) status OR use a Minnesota Fiscal Sponsor with current 501(c)(3) status who has agreed to accept grant funding on behalf of the applicant
- No overdue final reports. Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round.
Arts Organizations receiving Operating Support from the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) are eligible to receive two grants per year:
- One Programming and Project Support Grant
- One Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grant (available in 2026/2027)
Arts Organizations in rural communities with populations below 7,500 are eligible to receive four grants per year:
- Two Programming and Project Support Grants, or one Programming and Project Support Grant and one Rural Arts Grant
- One Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grant (available in 2026/2027)
- General Operating Support
Arts Organizations NOT in rural communities with populations below 7,500 and who do NOT receive Operating Support from MSAB are eligible to receive four grants per year:
- Two Programming and Project Support Grants
- One Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grant (available in 2026/2027)
- General Operating Support
Grant Project Restrictions for Arts Organizations
Grant proposals may not include any of the following:
- Activities that are essentially for the religious socialization of the participants or audience
- Activities that attempt to influence any state or federal legislation or appropriation
- Benefits, fundraisers, donations, and re-granting money (including outside scholarships, endowment funds, and/or prize money)
- Feasibility studies (exception Organizational Sustainability & Capacity Building Grants)
- Capital improvement, construction, or purchase of real property
- Historic preservation projects
- Activities violating federal, state, or local laws
Disallowed Expenses for Arts Organizations
The following budget items may not be included:
- Costs for relocating outside Minnesota
- Out of state travel or activities
- Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date (including publicity and grant writing)
- Legal fees (exception copyrights or royalties)
- Alcoholic beverages
Contract Requirements for Arts Organizations
All grantees must agree to the following:
Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss
Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity
Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval)
Out of State Travel: No funding for travel outside Minnesota
Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences
Letters of Thanks: Send to Minnesota legislative representatives
Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date
Grant Eligibility for Non-Arts Organizations
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Every non-arts organization applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- Must be located in the SEMAC Region
- Must have a clearly defined Mission Statement, preferably on the website
- Must be registered with the state of Minnesota as a nonprofit corporation
- Must have current 501(c)(3) status OR be a local government or tribal entity
- No overdue final reports. Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round.
Non-Arts Organizations in rural communities with populations below 7,500 are eligible to receive one Programming and Project Support Grant or one Rural Arts Grant as the lead or co-applicant.
Non-arts organizations NOT in rural communities are eligible to receive one Programming and Project Support Grant.
Restrictions for Non-Arts Organizations
Grant proposals may not include any of the following:
- Activities that are essentially for the religious socialization of the participants or audience
- Activities that attempt to influence any state or federal legislation or appropriation
- Benefits, fundraisers, donations, and re-granting money (including outside scholarships, endowment funds, and/or prize money)
- Feasibility studies
- Capital improvement, construction, or purchase of real property
- Historic preservation projects
- Activities violating federal, state, or local laws
Disallowed Expenses for Non-Arts Organizations
The following budget items may not be included:
- Out of state travel or activities
- Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date (including publicity and grant writing expenses)
- Legal fees (exception copyrights or royalties)
- Alcoholic beverages
Contract Requirements for Non-Arts Organizations
All non-arts organization grantees must agree to the following:
- Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss
- Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity
- Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval)
- Out of State Travel: No funding for out-of-state activities
- Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences
- Letters of Thanks: Send to Minnesota legislative representatives
- Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date
Grant Eligibility for K-12 Schools
Basic Eligibility Requirements for K-12 Schools
Every K-12 school applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- Must be located in the SEMAC region
- Must be a non-religious K-12 school
- Must have a clearly defined Mission Statement
- No overdue final reports. Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round.
K-12 Schools are eligible to receive two grants per year:
- One Programming and Project Support Grant (for an activity to take place outside of the school day) and
- One Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant either as the lead applicant or as the co-applicant with an artist or culture bearer as the lead applicant
Restrictions for K-12 School Grants
K-12 schools may not apply for funding of:
- Equipment (such as band instruments, kilns, etc.)
- Student transportation or field trips
- Programs designed to fulfill K-12 Minnesota Academic Standards in the Arts
Disallowed Expenses for K-12 Schools
The following budget items may not be included:
- Out of state travel or activities
- Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date
- Legal fees (exception copyrights or royalties)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Grant writing expenses
Contract Requirements for K-12 Schools
All school grantees must agree to the following:
Supplemental Programming: Confirm funding does not replace or supplant school’s normal funding for curriculum or activities
Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity
Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval)
Out of State Travel: No funding for travel or activities outside of Minnesota
Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences
Letters of Thanks: Send to Minnesota legislative representatives
Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date
Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss
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.