Grants for Emerging Artists

The Emerging Artist category provides $3,000 in financial support to artists who are at a stage in their artistic development where they have some evidence of achievement but do not have a substantial record of accomplishment. The term “emerging” does not refer to an artist’s stylistic evolution but to the artist’s accomplishments and recognition. Artists at this stage are developing their talents and may have been noticed locally. Many artists remain in this category for their entire artistic lives.

Proposals must support specific project goals and are encouraged from artists in all disciplines with the following restrictions.

• You must be at least 18 years of age on the grant deadline. Current high school students are not eligible.
• You must be a full-time resident of the SEMAC Region and reside in Minnesota for the duration of the grant project.
• You may not apply for an Emerging Artist Grant if you have ever received an Established or Advancing Artist Grant from SEMAC.
• Your project cannot be related to class, course or degree requirements.
• You are not eligible if you have received recognition such as:
  • Solo exhibition in a major metropolitan area (i.e., Twin Cities, Chicago);
  • Book published by a traditional publishing house (not self-published or so-called vanity press);
  • Music composition funded by a foundation or commissioned by a group;
  • Work professionally produced by a recognized theatre or dance company.
• Grant funds may not be used to pay for supplies purchased or expenses incurred before the Start Date.
• As a consequence of the pandemic, recipients of Individual Artist Grants are eligible to apply for funds every fiscal year until further notice. Previous SEMAC Grantees are not eligible to apply for funds over the next two consecutive fiscal years (i.e., application may only be made as often as every three years).
• Further, Grantees who have overdue final reports from a previous SEMAC grant are not eligible.