How to Apply
SEMAC funding comes from the State of Minnesota general fund and the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. All SEMAC grant categories are competitive and, because of limited funding, not all eligible applications will be awarded grant dollars.
Review the General Application Instructions, including hyperlinks to specific items in the Glossary of Terms. Additional instructions for a particular grant category will appear throughout the application itself. Use the menu to jump to the grant program of interest:
For specific instructions on project budgets or spending plan examples, go to Creating a Budget.
How to Apply for Grants to Individual Artists and Culture Bearers
Basic Application Requirements
All individual artist applicants must submit:
- Work Samples demonstrating your artistic practice. For those whose work isn’t represented on social media, a limited number of work samples may be uploaded to the application
- A Proposal Narrative addressing the three SEMAC Review Criteria
- An itemized list of total expenses for the proposed project
- All overdue final reports from previous SEMAC grants must be submitted and approved before applying
Project Requirements
- All grant activities must take place within Minnesota
- The proposal must include an accessible public engagement component to benefit residents of the SEMAC Region
- Virtual programming components are allowed, but the event must be in person
- Verification from the host venue that the Public Event has been scheduled and the venue is ADA compliant must be received by the Final Submission Deadline
- Start Date must be at least 90 days after the Final Submission Deadline, with an End Date within twelve months
- No publicity pertaining to the project may be produced before the Start Date
- No grant-related expenses may be incurred before the Start Date or after the End Date
Budget Requirements
- Budgets with Disallowed Expenses will be disqualified
- If total expenses exceed the grant amount, applicants will be asked about plans to cover the difference
- Fees paid to public event venues cannot exceed 10% of the funds requested from SEMAC
- All budget calculations must be accurate (math errors will disqualify applications)
Application Process
- Applications may be submitted up to 30 days prior to the deadline, but will not be accepted after the deadline
- SEMAC will not accept late applications or emails confirming capstone events, regardless of whether a deadline falls on a weekend
- Applications that do not meet requirements will not advance to the review stage
Important Notes
- Recent Grantees must wait out a year before reapplying.
- Grants to individual artists are taxable income. Grantees will be required to submit Federal Form W-9 and will receive Federal Form 1099
How to Apply for Grants to Arts Organizations
Basic Application Requirements
All arts organization applicants must submit:
- Data on annual arts participation and related expenses for the previous fiscal year
- A Proposal Narrative addressing the three SEMAC Review Criteria
- An itemized list of total expenses for the proposed project
- Organizations without 501(c)(3) or equivalent designation must submit a signed Fiscal Sponsor agreement
- Organizations may submit only one proposal per grant cycle
- All overdue final reports from previous SEMAC grants must be submitted and approved before applying
Project Requirements
- All grant activities must take place within Minnesota
- Include an accessible public event to benefit residents of the SEMAC Region
- Confirm that the public event location is ADA compliant
- SEMAC funding cannot be used as a substitute for other traditional state arts funding sources
- Start Date must be at least 90 days after the Final Submission Deadline, with an End Date within twelve months
- No publicity pertaining to the project may be produced before the Start Date
- No grant-related expenses may be incurred before the Start Date or after the End Date
Budget Requirements
- Budgets with Disallowed Expenses will be disqualified
- If total expenses exceed the grant amount, applicants will be asked about plans to cover the difference
- All budget calculations must be accurate (mathematical errors will disqualify applications)
Application Process
- Applications may be submitted up to 30 days prior to the Final Submission Deadline
- SEMAC will not accept late applications or emails confirming public events after the deadline, regardless of whether a deadline falls on a weekend
- Applications that do not meet requirements will not advance to the review stage
Tips for Success
- Give yourself plenty of time and ensure your grant activity is well-planned with clear timelines, objectives, and outcomes
- Double check that all URLs actually work
- Get outside feedback from someone unfamiliar with your proposal
- Proofread and use a calculator before submitting
How to Apply for Grants to Non-Arts Organizations
Basic Application Requirements
All non-arts organization applicants must submit:
- Data on annual arts participation and related expenses for the previous fiscal year
- A Proposal Narrative addressing the three SEMAC Review Criteria
- An itemized list of total expenses for the proposed project
- Organizations may submit only one proposal per grant cycle
- All overdue final reports from previous SEMAC grants must be submitted and approved before applying
Project Requirements
- All grant activities must take place within Minnesota
- Virtual programming components are allowed, but the public event must be held in person
- Confirm that the public event location is ADA compliant
- SEMAC funding cannot be used as a substitute for other traditional state arts funding sources
- Start Date must be at least 90 days after the Final Submission Deadline, with an End Date within twelve months
- No publicity pertaining to the project may be produced before the Start Date
- No grant-related expenses may be incurred before the Start Date or after the End Date
Budget Requirements
- Budgets with Disallowed Expenses will be disqualified
- If total expenses exceed the grant amount, applicants will be asked about plans to cover the difference
- All budget calculations must be accurate (math errors will disqualify applications)
Application Process
- Applications may be submitted up to 30 days prior to the Final Submission Deadline
- Applications will not be accepted after the deadline
- SEMAC will not accept late applications or emails confirming public events, regardless of whether a deadline falls on a weekend
- Applications that do not meet requirements will not advance to the review stage
Tips for Success
- Give yourself plenty of time and ensure your grant activity is well-planned with clear timelines, objectives, and outcomes
- Double check that all URLs actually work
- Get outside feedback from someone unfamiliar with your proposal
- Proofread and use a calculator before submitting
How to Apply for Grants to K-12 Schools
Basic Application Requirements
All K-12 school applicants must submit:
- A Proposal Narrative addressing the three SEMAC Review Criteria and containing an Educational Plan
- An itemized list of total expenses for the proposed project
- All overdue final reports from previous SEMAC grants must be submitted and approved before applying
Project Requirements
- All grant activities must take place within Minnesota
- SEMAC funding cannot be used as a substitute for other traditional state arts funding sources
- Start Date must be at least 90 days after the Final Submission Deadline, with an End Date within twelve months
- No publicity pertaining to the project may be produced before the Start Date
- No grant-related expenses may be incurred before the Start Date or after the End Date
School-Specific Requirements
- Residencies must be at least one full day or up to four weeks in duration
- Must supplement rather than supplant the school’s prescribed curriculum
- Programs designed to meet K-12 Minnesota Academic Standards in the Arts are not eligible
Budget Requirements
- Budgets with Disallowed Expenses will be disqualified
- If total expenses exceed the grant amount, applicants will be asked about plans to cover the difference
- All budget calculations must be accurate (math errors will disqualify applications)
Application Process
- Applications may be submitted while the application window is open (July 1 to December 1 at the latest)
- Applications will not be accepted after the deadline
- SEMAC will not accept late applications or emails confirming public events, regardless of whether a deadline falls on a weekend
- Applications that do not meet requirements will not advance to the review stage
Tips for Success
- By request and up to one week prior to the deadline, SEMAC staff may review proposals during regular business hours the same grant round.
- Give yourself plenty of time and ensure your grant activity is well-planned with clear timelines, objectives, and outcomes
- Double check that all URLs actually work
- Get outside feedback from someone unfamiliar with your proposal
- Proofread and use a calculator before submitting
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.