2025 Awards

In FY2025, SEMAC awarded a total of $1,126,955, including 60 individual artist grants and 141 organizational grants, listed here by county.

Dodge County

Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for ABBAsolutely Fab in Kasson.
Mantorville Art Guild received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Facilities & Maintenance.
Mantorville Economic Development Authority received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Art in the Park 2026.
Mantorville Theatre Company received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Local Playwright Publication, and a $4,890 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for All Student Theatre Production.

Fillmore County

Robbie Brokken received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Influential Women.
Carla Gallina received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Prairie Dances.
Steve Harris received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Creating “Talking Trails” for Lanesboro.
Paul LeDuc received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Painting with water mixable oils.
Stena Lieb received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Fibers from the Forest and Farm.
Micaiah McNeilus received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Through the Lens: Fish of the Root River.
Lane Powell received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Welded Steel – Celebrating Manufacturing.
Chatfield Brass Band received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Chatfield Summer Concert Series.
Chatfield Center for the Arts received a 4950 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Technology Upgrades for Arts Access.
City of Whalan received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Music in the Bluffs.
Dreamery Rural Arts Initiative received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Season Programming Support.
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Stringwood Chamber Music on the Hill.
Lanesboro Arts received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Rural Arts Production Training Program.
Lanesboro Community Theater received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Production of “The 39 Steps” stage play.
Peterson Committee for the Arts received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for The Arts Blossom in Peterson, and a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Arts Blossom in Peterson – Summer Music.
Quilters Therapy received a $500 Opportunity Grant for Neighborhood Sewcial.
Root River Current received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Art & Artists II: Storytelling in SE MN.
Rushford Area Society of the Arts received a 4335 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Storybook Theatre – “Twice Upon a Time”.
Wits’ End Theatre received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Shrek the Musical.

Freeborn County

Albert Lea Community Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Freeborn County Arts Initiative received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Arts Initiative Programming Support.
Friends of the Bohemian Brick Hall received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for 2025 Annual Czech Fest.

Goodhue County

Heidi Bacon received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Paving the Way for Pollinators.
Kate Bauman received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Surfaces for Sculptural Clay Forms.
Brian Johnson received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Suite for 3 VCRs and Guitar.
Dawn Mikkelson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Becoming Lake City (Working Title).
Natasha Roozen received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Explorations in material culture.
Anderson Center at Tower View received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Minnesota Children’s Book Festival.
The Artist Sanctuary received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Bells of the Bluffs Handbell Ensemble received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Big Turn received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Big Turn Music Fest 2025.
Frontenac State Park Association received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Prairie Dreams: Trail of Quilts.
Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Hispanic Heritage Festival 2025.
Red Wing Arts received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Poet Artist Collaboration.
Red Wing Arts & Culture Commission received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Red Wing Sculpture Walk.
Sheldon Theatre Brass Band received a 8740 Legacy Grant for 2024-2025 Concert Season.
Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Community Performance Residencies 2025.
Zeitgeist received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Underwater Cousins.
Zumbrota Community Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Zumbrota State Theatre received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Programming Zumbrota State Theatre.

Houston County

Melissa Wray received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Sewing Rural Seeds of Plenty.
International Owl Center received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Children’s Int’l Owl Art Contest.
Lanesboro Barn Dance received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Lanesboro Barn Dance Series 2025.
Mainspring received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Houston County Artist Mentorship Program.
Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Administrative Expenses, a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for May 2025 Bluegrass Music Festival, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for August 2025 Bluegrass Music Festival.
Ye Olde Opera House received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Facilities & Maintenance.

Mower County

Austin Area Arts received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Emerging Artists at ArtWorks Festival.
Austin Community Band received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Summer Concerts in the Park.
Austin Culture & Arts Commission received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Youth Art on Utility Box Wraps.
Austin Symphony Orchestra received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Celebrating Our 2025-26 Season.
MacPhail Center for Music – Austin received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for All Ages and Abilities Music Programming.
Summerset Community Theatre received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for A Hair Raising Clue – Season 57.
Welcome Center received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Welcome Center Cultural Heritage Events.
Zumbro Valley Chorus received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Administrative Expenses.

Olmsted County

Cassandra Buck received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Emergence.
Kevin Dobbe received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for New Media Opera Scenes Creation.
Benjamin Gateno received a $4,380 Advancing Artist Grant for Voice Lessons for Enhanced Artistry.
Logan Johnson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Recording of a Pop Music Album.
David Kassler received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Brass5 Performance, Coaching, Recording.
Annie Mack received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Wolves of Impermanence-The Recording.
Ivete Martinez received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for O Gaúcho beyond languages and borders.
Nathaniel Nelson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Untitled Narrative Short Film.
Roger Nelson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Songs for a Time of Endings.
Maggie Panetta received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Love My Neighborhood Week Mural.
Marlene Petersen received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Veggie Santa Picture Book.
Samantha Reiter-Johnson received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Through Bees’ Eyes: Floral Perspectives.
Libby Schultz received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Forging Connections.
Barbara Schwenk received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Climate-sensitive Birds in SE Minnesota.
Rosei Skipper received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Assembling the Artist.
Suzanne Szucs received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Photographic Printing and Framing.
Christopher Tauzell received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for New Amateur Record, 2026.
Sarah Vanasse Miles received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Chiaroscuro Chronicles.
Susan Waughtal received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for A Brush With Life.
Julie Yost received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Always Leaving.
Autism Resource Guide received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Special Needs: Exposure & Education.
Cambodian American Partnership of Minnesota received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Rochester Lantern Festival.
Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for New Singers & Choral Styles.
Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Live Music at Gold Rush Days.
Eyota Days Committee received a $3,600 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Little Mermaid children’s theatre.
Gallery 24 Artists Collaborative received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Administrative Expenses, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Art Summer Camp Classes.
Hometown Opera Company received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Puccini in the Garden: Gianni Schicchi.
Med City Arts Festival received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Administrative Expenses, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Multicultural Stage Programming.
Riverside Central Elementary School received a $3,000 School Residency Grant for Creating Community Through Puppetry.
RNeighbors (Rochester Neighborhood Resource Centre) received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Chalk the Block 2025.
Rochester Area Handbells received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Rochester Art Center received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Extraordinary Elsewhere, and a $400 Arts Management Training Grant for AAM Annual Meeting.
Rochester Chamber Music Society received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, and a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for March 1, 2025 concert.
Rochester Civic Theatre Company received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Regional Premiere of “Waitress”.
Rochester Community & Technical College received a 4710 Legacy Grant for Spotlight Academy.
Rochester Community Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, and a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Band concerts for the community.
Rochester International Film Group received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Rochester International Film Festival 28.
Rochester Male Chorus received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, and a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Spring Tour 2025.
Rochester New Music Ensemble received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 RNME Concert.
Rochester Pops Orchestra received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Equipment & Technology, and a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Encore: A Second Decade.
Rochester Repertory Theatre Company received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, a $3,565 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Bridge Building: Masterclass & Outreach, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Royalties & Stipends for 2025-26 Season.
Rochester Symphony received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Concerts for Kids in SE Minnesota.
Shorewood Senior Campus received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Engaging with the Arts.
Sing Out Loud received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Celebration of Women in Music.
Somali American Social Service Association received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Annual Somali Cultural Festival.
Southeast Service Cooperative received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Young Authors Young Artists Conference.
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Youth Orchestra Coaching.
USA Dance Chapter 2017 received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Winter Dance Enchantment.

Rice County

Trina Brunk received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Remembering Our Connections.
Rocky Casillas Aguirre received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for U are the Universe Art Exhibition.
Cecilia Cornejo received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for The way of tenderness (working title).
Paul Dice received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Mixed Asian and West Composition.
Louis Epstein received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Arranging “The Odyssey: The Musical”.
Martha Larson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Percussive Techniques for the Cello.
Andrew Mazariegos received a 2790 Emerging Artist Grant for Conservar es Celebrar.
Kate Langlais received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for I Am Minnesota (part 3).
Kent McInnis received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for What Lights Our Way.
Wendy Placko received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for DS Birch Carlson Eps. 2 Pre-Production.
Scott Roberts received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Lost Hero’s of the Imagination.
JC Sanford received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Second Annual Northfield Jazz Festival.
Judy Saye-Willis received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Sharing the Knowledge.
Shari Setchell received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for You do not have to be good.
Jonny Weaver received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for (How) Can Cartoons Make You Feel?
Nat Wilson received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Folklore through Shadow Puppet Theater.
Ameriikan Poijat Finnish Brass Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Administrative Expenses.
Bridge Chamber Music Festival received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Bridge Chamber Music Festival received a 7275 Legacy Grant for Chamber Music Festival 2025.
Faribault Community Education received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Now is Our Time!.
Faribault Parks & Recreation received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Faribault Concerts in the Park Series.
Friends and Foundation of Northfield Public Library received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2025.
A Great Day Farm received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Rooted in Creativity: Art for All.
Healthy Community Initiative received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Art Explorers.
I Cantanti Chamber Choirs received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Northfield Arts Guild received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Second Annual Northfield Jazz Festival.
Northfield Union of Youth received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Unlocked Voices.
Paradise Center for the Arts received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Marquee Children’s Theatre Season 2025.
Rice County Neighbors United received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Celebrating Latina and Latino Culture.
South Central Minnesota Studio ARTour received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Studio ARTour 2025.
Three Links Care Center received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Folk & Bluegrass Music for Care Centers.
Vintage Band Festival received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for August Festival 2025.

Steele County

Hiddo Soor received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Somali Cultural Festival.
Little Theatre of Owatonna received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Owatonna.
Owatonna Arts Center received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Owatonna Symphony Orchestra received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Cool Classics – Beethoven, Beatles, Jazz.
Steele County Historical Society received a $2,190 Legacy Grant for Folk Art Workshops.

Wabasha County

Espoir DelMain received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Driftless Dance.
Lake City Area Arts received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Lake City Music Showcase 2025.
Lake City Public Schools received a $3,000 School Residency Grant for Beatboxing Saxophone Artist.
Plainview-Elgin-Millville Community Schools received a 1275 School Residency Grant for Dance Intensive.
Wabasha County Fair received a 2400 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Free local music at the fair.
WideSpot Performing Arts Center & Community Project received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Spring – Wabasha Cultural Project, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Fall – Wabasha Cultural Project.

Winona County

Lisa Becker received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Advocating for Native Plants through Art.
Kathleen Hawkes received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Grief & Secrecy Photography Exhibition.
Margaret Johnson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Mallory’s Ghost.
Andrew Kranz received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Drawing Fundamentals.
Megan McCarthy received a $2,455 Emerging Artist Grant for Surface Currents.
Peter Mutschler received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for The River Connects Us.
Rachel Pauli received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Artistry and urban agriculture.
Michael Speck received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Staged reading of BACH AT LEIPZIG.
Dawn Tevis received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Experimental Aqueous Surface Design.
La Vonte Thompson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Finding a place.
Art of the Rural received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Spillway Gathering.
Bluff Country Studio Art Tour received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Bluff Country Studio Art Tour 2025.
Engage Winona received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Creative Community Leadership Incubator.
Frozen River Film Festival received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for 2025 Film Screening Series, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for The 21st Frozen River Film Festival.
Great River Shakespeare Festival received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Summer Programs for Youth.
Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Through reflections, we see ourselves.
Mid West Music Fest received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Administrative Expenses, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Festival Expenses.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Seasonal Saturdays: Art & Connection.
Project FINE received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Cultural Arts & Ancestry.
Quince Ensemble received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for McKinley Medieval Songs with Quince.
River Arts Alliance received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.
Saint Charles Public Schools received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for 2025 St. Charles Fall Musical.
Theatre du Mississippi received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Facilities & Maintenance, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Write On: A Year of Original One Acts.
Winona Arts Center received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries, and a $3,500 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for International Film Series 2025-2026.
Winona Community Chorale received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Winona Community Chorale Fall Concert.
Winona Dakota Unity Alliance received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for 2025 Winona-Dakota Gathering.
Winona ORC Industries, Inc. received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Showing Our Colors 2025.
Winona Parks & Recreation received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Campfire Concert Series 2025 – Part 2.
Winona Symphony Orchestra received a $5,000 General Operating Support for Staffing & Salaries.