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 these 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 for Individual Artists and Culture Bearers
General Application Instructions
Review these 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.
For specific instructions on project budgets or spending plans, go to Creating a Budget.
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 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 citizens of the SEMAC Region
- Virtual programming components are allowed, but the event must be in person
- Verification from the host organization 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 (mathematical errors will disqualify applications)
Technical Application Advice
- The full application, forms and reports are all due no later than 11:59 pm on the submission deadline date. See (LINK – Grant Deadlines) and the Calendar for current and upcoming submission deadlines
- To receive emails regarding your application, including auto-generated notifications, make sure that administrator(at)grantinterface.com is listed as a safe sender in your mail server. Also make sure to monitor the email account you log in with – it is your primary point of contact with SEMAC
- Forms are divided into sections. You may collapse or expand any section by clicking the gray-shaded section heading
- With limited exceptions, all question fields are required. If a required field does not apply to your grant activity, enter n/a or 0 as directed for that field
- If you inadvertently skip a required field, the system will not allow you to submit until that field contains a response. This safety feature does not apply to optional fields that do not have a red asterisk
- Limits on character counts include spaces and punctuation, but do not include line/hard returns
- The grant interface does not accept outside formatting such as bullet points, although an optional rich text editor is available on most text questions. Make sure to cut and paste as plain text, and then add formatting if desired
- File uploads such as PDFs and work samples will be required. Only one PDF file may be uploaded in a single field, so make sure everything requested in that question is included in a single PDF file
- Issues regarding access or troubleshooting the grant interface must be resolved by calling the SEMAC office during regular business hours. Post-deadline appeals will not be considered
- SEMAC does not accept late applications. This is in fairness to applicants who submitted before the deadline. No exceptions
- If you have successfully submitted an application or follow-up form, you will be sent an automatic confirmation to the email address with which you logged in. If you do not receive that e-mail, contact the SEMAC office. Do not assume the submission was successful
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
Things to Avoid
- Do not ask for funding to pay for items that are not arts-related or for expenses already incurred, such as grant writing
- Do not waste characters trying to convince reviewers of the value of the arts or of your specific art form. Simply answer the questions
- Do not use acronyms not defined in the application or technical language with which only practitioners in a particular discipline are familiar
- Unless corrected before final submission, applications that include math errors in the budget or requests for Disallowed Expenses, including Out of State Travel, will be disqualified
Ways to Improve Your Odds
- Give yourself plenty of time. Make sure the grant activity is well-planned and your grant application includes clearly stated timelines, objectives, and outcomes. Remember that the entire grant activity, including publicity and payments, must take place between the Start and End Dates submitted in your application
- Every time you insert a URL, double check that the link actually works. Links to unfinished pages reflect poorly on the applicant
- Most Instagram and Facebook sites require an account to view content. Please make sure that any URL in your application is not restricted to account holders
- Get outside feedback. Ask someone unfamiliar with the proposal to read the application
- Proofread and use a calculator before submitting. The grant interface does not have a spell checker
- By request and up to one week prior to the final submission deadline, SEMAC staff may be available to review proposals during regular business hours. Email staff@semac.org to request a review. Please note, staff assistance does not guarantee funding
Final Cautions
- Applicants are responsible for reading all the information and requirements explained in hyperlinks throughout the grant application. If a requirement is unclear or if you have trouble finding an explanation, review the SEMAC website, particularly the Glossary of Terms, or contact staff(at)semac.org for clarification
- The same rules apply to every applicant. SEMAC strives to clarify those rules on all applications and on the SEMAC website. If something is not clear or if you have not received a response to e-mail, phone the office during regular business hours. Be proactive; if you do not get a response, call again
- Do not rely on past procedures. Grant guidelines and applications are updated on a regular basis
Important Notes
- Recipients in good standing are eligible to reapply every fiscal year
- Grants to individual artists are taxable income. Grant recipients will be required to submit Federal Form W-9 and will receive Federal Form 1099
- Artists who identify as BIMPOC, PWD, Veterans, Seniors, and/or LGBTQIA2+ are encouraged to apply
How to Apply for Arts Organization Grants
General Application Instructions
Review these 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.
For specific instructions on project budgets or spending plans, go to Creating a Budget.
Basic Application Requirements
All arts organization applicants must submit:
- No overdue final reports from previous grants
- 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) designation must submit a signed Fiscal Sponsor agreement
- Organizations may submit only one proposal per grant cycle
Project Requirements
- All grant activities must take place within Minnesota
- Include an accessible public event to benefit citizens 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)
Technical Application Advice
- The full application, forms and reports are all due no later than 11:59 pm on the submission deadline date
- To receive emails regarding your application, make sure that administrator@grantinterface.com is listed as a safe sender in your mail server
- Forms are divided into sections. You may collapse or expand any section by clicking the gray-shaded section heading
- With limited exceptions, all question fields are required. If a required field does not apply to your grant activity, enter n/a or 0 as directed
- File uploads such as PDFs will be required. Only one PDF file may be uploaded in a single field
- SEMAC does not accept late applications. No exceptions.
- If you have successfully submitted an application, you will be sent an automatic confirmation email
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 Non-Arts Organizations
General Application Instructions
Review these 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.
For specific instructions on project budgets or spending plans, go to Creating a Budget.
Basic Application Requirements
All non-arts organization applicants must submit:
- No overdue final reports from previous grants
- 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 (if applicable)
Project Requirements
- All grant activities must take place within Minnesota
- Virtual programming components are allowed, but the public event must be held in person
- Include an accessible public event to benefit citizens 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)
Technical Application Advice
- The full application, forms and reports are all due no later than 11:59 pm on the submission deadline date
- To receive emails regarding your application, make sure that administrator@grantinterface.com is listed as a safe sender in your mail server
- Forms are divided into sections. You may collapse or expand any section by clicking the gray-shaded section heading
- With limited exceptions, all question fields are required. If a required field does not apply to your grant activity, enter n/a or 0 as directed
- File uploads such as PDFs will be required. Only one PDF file may be uploaded in a single field
- SEMAC does not accept late applications. No exceptions.
- If you have successfully submitted an application, you will be sent an automatic confirmation email
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
Grant Programs for K-12 Schools
General Application Instructions
Review these 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.
For specific instructions on project budgets or spending plans, go to Creating a Budget.
Basic Application Requirements
All K-12 school applicants must submit:
- No overdue final reports from previous grants
- 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
- Confirmation that activities supplement rather than supplant the school’s prescribed arts curriculum
Project Requirements
- All grant activities must take place within Minnesota
- Virtual programming components are allowed, but the public event must be held in person
- Include an accessible public event to benefit citizens 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
School-Specific Requirements
- Residencies must be at least one full day or up to five school days in length
- Must culminate in a public event showcasing students that is accessible and open to the public
- 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 (mathematical errors will disqualify applications)
Technical Application Advice
- The full application, forms and reports are all due no later than 11:59 pm on the submission deadline date
- To receive emails regarding your application, make sure that administrator(at)grantinterface.com is listed as a safe sender in your mail server
- Forms are divided into sections. You may collapse or expand any section by clicking the gray-shaded section heading
- With limited exceptions, all question fields are required. If a required field does not apply to your grant activity, enter n/a or 0 as directed
- File uploads such as PDFs will be required. Only one PDF file may be uploaded in a single field
- SEMAC does not accept late applications. No exceptions.
- If you have successfully submitted an application, you will be sent an automatic confirmation email
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
- 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.
SEMAC activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.