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:

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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, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, 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 Opens: June 28, 2026 and December 15, 2026
Application deadlines: July 28, 2026 and January 25, 2027
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

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Creative Rural Places Project Grant

Are you looking for opportunities to bring your rural community together, combat the effects of isolation, and celebrate what makes your community unique?  Creative Rural Places Project Grants are meant to spark community arts projects in rural communities (populations under 7,500) that build relationships, cultivate deep connections to place, and create a sense of belonging among residents. Seven applicants from across SEMAC’s 11-county region, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, will be selected to receive these $8,000 grants.

The lead applicant can either be an organization (a nonprofit arts or non-arts organization, a local government or tribal entity, a community education program, or a library) in the rural community where the project will take place or an artist or culture bearer from the SEMAC region. The artist or culture bearer leading the project can be at any stage in their creative practice.

Projects incorporating all types of artistic disciplines are eligible, including but not limited to visual arts, music, dance, theater, film, storytelling, literary arts, traditional arts, and mixed media. Proposed projects can be permanent or temporary, must involve multiple opportunities for direct community involvement, and must prioritize bringing people together from across the community to work on a common goal through creative engagement. The project’s goal may be to create a welcoming space, to encourage environmental stewardship, to bridge cultural divides, to facilitate intergenerational experiences, or to respond to a specific issue impacting that community.

The 18-month grant period, from June 30, 2027, through October 31, 2028, is designed to provide grantees with time and support to develop their initial idea into a project that uniquely activates their rural community. A grantee may spend the first several months of the grant period on project development, building community partnerships, resourcing materials, and shaping the public engagement activities. The specifics of the proposed project should unfold over the grant period and do not have to be fully planned and laid out in the application.

SEMAC is partnering with Springboard for the Arts to support grantees throughout the grant period. Grantees will be invited to join an online Grantee Circle prior to the project start date where they can share the idea for their project, get feedback and advice, and connect with other grant recipients. During the grant period, they also will have access to one free hour of coaching from Springboard staff where they can seek advice or guidance as their project unfolds. After the project end date, grantees will be invited to share and reflect upon their projects at an online gathering facilitated by Springboard and hosted by SEMAC. Each grantee who presents their project at this public event will receive an additional honorarium.

Award amount: $8,000
Purpose: To spark community arts projects in rural communities that build relationships, cultivate deep connections to place, and create a sense of belonging among residents.
Eligibility at a glance: Artists and culture bearers residing in SEMAC’s 11-county region, or nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal entities, community education programs, and libraries based in the rural community (population under 7,500) where the project takes place. Read more about eligibility
Application opens: March 1, 2027
Application deadline: March 30, 2027
Awards announced: May 12, 2027
Grant period: June 30, 2027 – October 31, 2028
Notes: This grant program is offered every two years. Proposed projects does not need to be fully planned at the time of application.

Creative Rural Places Workshop

Wednesday, January 13, 2027 | 6-8:30p CT

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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, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, 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 Opens: August 1, 2026
Application deadlines:  September 30, 2026 and November 30, 2026, 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

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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 Opens: September 1, 2026 and March 1, 2027
Application deadlines: September 30, 2026 and March 30, 2027
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

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Creative Rural Places Project Grant

Are you looking for opportunities to bring your rural community together, combat the effects of isolation, and celebrate what makes your community unique?  Creative Rural Places Project Grants are meant to spark community arts projects in rural communities (populations under 7,500) that build relationships, cultivate deep connections to place, and create a sense of belonging among residents. Seven applicants from across SEMAC’s 11-county region, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, will be selected to receive these $8,000 grants.

The lead applicant can either be an organization (a nonprofit arts or non-arts organization, a local government or tribal entity, a community education program, or a library) in the rural community where the project will take place or an artist or culture bearer from the SEMAC region. The artist or culture bearer leading the project can be at any stage in their creative practice.

Projects incorporating all types of artistic disciplines are eligible, including but not limited to visual arts, music, dance, theater, film, storytelling, literary arts, traditional arts, and mixed media. Proposed projects can be permanent or temporary, must involve multiple opportunities for direct community involvement, and must prioritize bringing people together from across the community to work on a common goal through creative engagement. The project’s goal may be to create a welcoming space, to encourage environmental stewardship, to bridge cultural divides, to facilitate intergenerational experiences, or to respond to a specific issue impacting that community.

The 18-month grant period, from June 30, 2027, through October 31, 2028, is designed to provide grantees with time and support to develop their initial idea into a project that uniquely activates their rural community. A grantee may spend the first several months of the grant period on project development, building community partnerships, resourcing materials, and shaping the public engagement activities. The specifics of the proposed project should unfold over the grant period and do not have to be fully planned and laid out in the application.

SEMAC is partnering with Springboard for the Arts to support grantees throughout the grant period. Grantees will be invited to join an online Grantee Circle prior to the project start date where they can share the idea for their project, get feedback and advice, and connect with other grant recipients. During the grant period, they also will have access to one free hour of coaching from Springboard staff where they can seek advice or guidance as their project unfolds. After the project end date, grantees will be invited to share and reflect upon their projects at an online gathering facilitated by Springboard and hosted by SEMAC. Each grantee who presents their project at this public event will receive an additional honorarium.

Award amount: $8,000
Purpose: To spark community arts projects in rural communities that build relationships, cultivate deep connections to place, and create a sense of belonging among residents.
Eligibility at a glance: Artists and culture bearers residing in SEMAC’s 11-county region, or nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal entities, community education programs, and libraries based in the rural community (population under 7,500) where the project takes place. Read more about eligibility
Application Opens: March 1, 2027
Application deadline: March 30, 2027
Awards announced: May 12, 2027
Grant period: June 30, 2027 – October 31, 2028
Notes: This grant program is offered every two years. Proposed projects does not need to be fully planned at the time of application.

Creative Rural Places Workshop

Wednesday, January 13, 2027 | 6-8:30p CT

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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. 

After final reports are submitted, grantees may be invited to present their project at a SEMAC-hosted virtual event with other arts leaders from organizations throughout the region. This networking opportunity also is a chance for grantees to help other organizations with similar needs by sharing the impact and outcomes of this grant support. Presenters will receive an additional stipend for their time.

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: 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. Recipients may reapply every other year, i.e. an organization receiving this grant in FY2027 may not apply again until FY2029. Read more about eligibility.
Application Opens: October 20, 2026
Application Deadline: November 18, 2026
Earliest start date: February 16, 2027
Notes: In addition to a written final report, representatives from organizations receiving this grant may 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.

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General Operating Support Grants

Nonprofit arts organizations in the SEMAC region, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, 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 opens: To be Announced.
Application deadline: Applications 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

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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 Opens: September 1, 2026 and March 1, 2027
Application deadlines: September 30, 2026 and March 30, 2027
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

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Creative Rural Places Project Grant

Are you looking for opportunities to bring your rural community together, combat the effects of isolation, and celebrate what makes your community unique?  Creative Rural Places Project Grants are meant to spark community arts projects in rural communities (populations under 7,500) that build relationships, cultivate deep connections to place, and create a sense of belonging among residents. Seven applicants from across SEMAC’s 11-county region, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, will be selected to receive these $8,000 grants.

The lead applicant can either be an organization (a nonprofit arts or non-arts organization, a local government or tribal entity, a community education program, or a library) in the rural community where the project will take place or an artist or culture bearer from the SEMAC region. The artist or culture bearer leading the project can be at any stage in their creative practice.

Projects incorporating all types of artistic disciplines are eligible, including but not limited to visual arts, music, dance, theater, film, storytelling, literary arts, traditional arts, and mixed media. Proposed projects can be permanent or temporary, must involve multiple opportunities for direct community involvement, and must prioritize bringing people together from across the community to work on a common goal through creative engagement. The project’s goal may be to create a welcoming space, to encourage environmental stewardship, to bridge cultural divides, to facilitate intergenerational experiences, or to respond to a specific issue impacting that community.

The 18-month grant period, from June 30, 2027, through October 31, 2028, is designed to provide grantees with time and support to develop their initial idea into a project that uniquely activates their rural community. A grantee may spend the first several months of the grant period on project development, building community partnerships, resourcing materials, and shaping the public engagement activities. The specifics of the proposed project should unfold over the grant period and do not have to be fully planned and laid out in the application.

SEMAC is partnering with Springboard for the Arts to support grantees throughout the grant period. Grantees will be invited to join an online Grantee Circle prior to the project start date where they can share the idea for their project, get feedback and advice, and connect with other grant recipients. During the grant period, they also will have access to one free hour of coaching from Springboard staff where they can seek advice or guidance as their project unfolds. After the project end date, grantees will be invited to share and reflect upon their projects at an online gathering facilitated by Springboard and hosted by SEMAC. Each grantee who presents their project at this public event will receive an additional honorarium.

Award amount: $8,000
Purpose: To spark community arts projects in rural communities that build relationships, cultivate deep connections to place, and create a sense of belonging among residents.
Eligibility at a glance: Artists and culture bearers residing in SEMAC’s 11-county region, or nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal entities, community education programs, and libraries based in the rural community (population under 7,500) where the project takes place. Read more about eligibility
Application Opens: March 1, 2027
Application deadline: March 30, 2027 (This grant program is offered every two years)
Awards announced: May 12, 2027
Grant period: June 30, 2027 – October 31, 2028
Notes: This grant program is offered every two years. Proposed projects does not need to be fully planned at the time of application.

Creative Rural Places Workshop

Wednesday, January 13, 2027 | 6-8:30p CT

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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, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, 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 Opens: August 1, 2026
Application deadlines:  September 30, 2026 and November 30, 2026, 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

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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, including the Prairie Island Indian Community, 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 Opens: September 1, 2026 and March 1, 2027
Application deadlines: September 30, 2026 and March 30, 2027
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

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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.

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