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Grants

Eligibility to Apply

The Minnesota State Legislature allocates grant funds to the State Arts Board and regional arts councils for arts-related programming by nonprofit organizations and individual artists. With limited funding available each fiscal year, every SEMAC grant category is competitive and includes an LOI stage used as an initial screening for eligibility.

Individuals and groups seeking to apply for SEMAC funding are strictly held to the following qualifications.

  • The applicant is located in the 11-county SEMAC Region of southeastern Minnesota: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona Counties.
  • The primary focus of the proposal is the fine arts, i.e., the development, education, performance and/or showcasing of the arts.
  • The proposed project includes a public component or Capstone Event to benefit the citizens of southeastern Minnesota.
  • The project may not begin until at least sixty days after the grant deadline. The project must be completed within twelve months. For more details, click Start and End Dates.

Organizations must also meet all of the following requirements.

  • Demonstrates the high quality of the arts products, services, or activities they provide as well as their impact on the community. See Review Criteria.
  • Has a Board of Directors that meets on a regular basis.
  • A recognized nonprofit, with Articles of Incorporation on file with the State of Minnesota. Public schools and local government entities also qualify.
  • Is federal tax exempt, with 501(c)(3) or comparable status under the Internal Revenue Code. For programming grants, organizations in the process of achieving tax-exempt status may use a Fiscal Sponsor within Minnesota that is both tax-exempt and a nonprofit organization who has agreed to receive and disburse SEMAC funds.

Eligible arts organizations may apply for up to two SEMAC Grants per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) from two different grant categories as long as the proposals are not submitted under the same deadline. This restriction also applies to proposals from partner organizations.