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.
Grant applications open on or slightly before 30 days prior to the submission deadline. Use this menu to jump to information about SEMAC’s grant programs by applicant type:
Grant Programs for Individual Artists and Culture Bearers
SEMAC is currently offering an Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) designed for rapid, short-term assistance for individual artists and culture bearers facing unexpected hardship. Find out more.
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 living in 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 have a body of work that demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence over several years.
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.
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. Grant recipients must sit out one full fiscal year before reapplying for the same grant. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: July 28 and January 19
Earliest start date: November 1 (for July deadline) and April 18 (for January deadline)
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions which include tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Need help applying?
Watch our Step-by-Step Videos and read the Applicant Journey for detailed instruction and tips!
If you still have questions, join a virtual Q & A session, our contact information is available at semac.org/contact.
Rural Arts Grants
This new grant program is meant to engage and activate rural communities with populations below 7,500 and must include collaborations with local community partners such as a nonprofit organization, library, government department or agency, tribal entity, or civic group. 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 to take place. Proposed projects can be in any creative discipline and must include opportunities for active community engagement, including at least one accessible public event. To deepen the impact of these projects on the rural communities involved, grant-funded projects will take place over 18-months, from May 1, 2027, through October 31, 2028.
For inspiration, SEMAC will offer a free webinar in partnership with Springboard for the Arts in the Fall of 2026 and potential grant applicants are encouraged to refer to 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). Throughout the grant period, grantees will be given opportunities to learn from one another and receive one-on-one coaching with Springboard for the Arts.
Award amount: $8,000
Purpose: To bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota through community collaborations and direct engagement.
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: March 30 (This grant program is offered every two years.)
Earliest start date: The grant period is 18 months, for this fiscal year it is May 1, 2027, through October 31, 2028.
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 which include 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 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 partner 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. Non-expendable equipment purchases are not allowed. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and November 30, until funds run out
Earliest start date: December 29 and February 28
Ready to apply? Review our General Application Instructions which include 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 or culture bearers, creative production team members, and people providing technical assistance to help create and support a thriving arts ecosystem throughout southeastern Minnesota.
Award amount: $3,000 to $11,000 for nonprofit arts organizations.
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: Arts organizations receiving Operating Support from Minnesota State Arts Board are eligible to receive one grant per year for up to $11,000. 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 organizations are eligible to receive one grant per year for up to $6,000. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and March 30
Earliest start date: January 1 (for September deadline) and July 1 (for March deadline)
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 which include tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Rural Arts Grants
This new grant program is meant to engage and activate rural communities with populations below 7,500 and must include collaborations with local community partners such as a nonprofit organization, library, government department or agency, tribal entity, or civic group. 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 to take place. Proposed projects can be in any creative discipline and must include opportunities for active community engagement, including at least one accessible public event. To deepen the impact of these projects on the rural communities involved, grant-funded projects will take place over 18-months, from May 1, 2027, through October 31, 2028.
For inspiration, SEMAC will offer a free webinar in partnership with Springboard for the Arts in the Fall of 2026 and potential grant applicants are encouraged to refer to 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). Throughout the grant period, grantees will be given opportunities to learn from one another and receive one-on-one coaching with Springboard for the Arts.
Award amount: $8,000
Purpose: To bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota through community collaborations and direct engagement.
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: March 30 (This grant program is offered every two years.)
Earliest start date: The grant period is 18 months, for this fiscal year it is May 1, 2027, through October 31, 2028.
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 which include tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grants
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: November 18
Earliest start date: February 16
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 which include 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 for a minimum of three years, annual operating expenses less than $174,000, and history of offering public accessible arts programming in Southeastern Minnesota. 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: Equipment purchases are not allowed. 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 which include 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 or cultural bearers, 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 $6,000.
Eligibility at a glance: Non-arts nonprofits, non-religious K-12 schools, or other non-arts organizations including local government entities, tribal entities, colleges, and universities may only receive one grant per year. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and March 30
Earliest start date: January 1 (for September deadline) and July 1 (for March deadline)
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 which include tips to increase your chances of receiving funding
Rural Arts Grants
This new grant program is meant to engage and activate rural communities with populations below 7,500 and must include collaborations with local community partners such as a nonprofit organization, library, government department or agency, tribal entity, or civic group. 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 to take place. Proposed projects can be in any creative discipline and must include opportunities for active community engagement, including at least one accessible public event. To deepen the impact of these projects on the rural communities involved, grant-funded projects will take place over 18-months, from May 1, 2027, through October 31, 2028.
For inspiration, SEMAC will offer a free webinar in partnership with Springboard for the Arts in the Fall of 2026 and potential grant applicants are encouraged to refer to 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). Throughout the grant period, grantees will be given opportunities to learn from one another and receive one-on-one coaching with Springboard for the Arts.
Award amount: $8,000
Purpose: To bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota through community collaborations and direct engagement.
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: March 30 (This grant program is offered every two years.)
Earliest start date: The grant period is 18 months, for this fiscal year it is May 1, 2027, through October 31, 2028.
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 which include 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 non-religious K-12 school where the residency will take place. Non-expendable equipment purchases are not permitted. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and November 30, until funds run out
Earliest start date: December 29 and February 28
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 which include 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 or culture bearers, 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 $6,000.
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, npn-religious K-12 schools, and non-arts organizations including local government entities, nonprofits, colleges, and universities are eligible to receive one grant per year for up to $6,000. Read more about eligibility
Application deadlines: September 30 and March 30
Earliest start date: January 1 (for September deadline) and July 1 (for March deadline)
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 which include 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.