Updates
SEMAC Grant Programs: Three New Opportunities and Updates
SEMAC Individual Artist & Culture Bearers Project Support Grant
Application Opens: June 28, 2025 | Deadline: July 28, 2025
SEMAC is excited to announce enhanced funding opportunities for individual artists and culture bearers. This year brings important changes and new flexibility to better serve our creative community.
What’s New This Year:
- Enhanced Grant Structure: Project Support Grant amounts now range from $2,000 to $4,000 for Emerging Artists and $3,000 to $6,000 for Advancing Artists
- Expanded Opportunities: Artists and culture bearers can now receive up to two grants per year – one Project Support Grant or Rural Arts Grant AND one Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant
- Important Timing Note: Recipients of Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Grants in fiscal year 2025 must take a one-year break and can reapply in fiscal year 2027. This policy will continue going forward.
- Reminder: A Letter of Intent is no longer required.
Free Grant Workshops for Individual Artists & Culture Bearers:
Lake City: June 2
Austin: June 5
Online via Zoom: June 25
Each workshop features program overviews, application tips, and networking opportunities. Learn more about the Individual Artist and Culture Bearers Project Support grant or register for the workshop below:
SEMAC General Operating Support Grants
Application Opens: July 1, 2025
Arts organizations with operating expenses under $174,000 and at least three years of operation can apply for biennial support grants designed to strengthen and stabilize organizations over two years.
Grant Structure:
- $5,000 for year one
- Additional $5,000 for year two (pending successful interim report)
- Eligible expenses include staffing, salaries, equipment, facilities, maintenance, and administrative costs
- All 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations are eligible (excluding colleges and universities)
Application Timeline:
- Early Bird Advantage: Applications submitted by August 1 will receive notification by the end of November.
- Second Round: If funding remains available, applications submitted by November 1 will receive notification by the end of January.
Applications are reviewed monthly until program funding runs out.
Free Grant Workshop for General Operating Support: June 24, 6-8:30p online covering applications process and requirements. Register below:
SEMAC Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools Grants
Application Opens: July 1, 2025
This program funds interactive arts residencies in public and non-religious private schools, creating meaningful educational experiences while providing professional development opportunities for artists.
Program Requirements:
- Residencies must be 1-5 full days
- Must include a public capstone event showcasing student work
- Applications due 30 days before planned residency start date
- No matching funds required
- Previous recipients may reapply
Application Timeline:
- Applications by August 1: Notification in mid-September
- Applications by October 1: Notification by end of November
- Applications by December 1: Notification in mid-January
Free Grant Workshops for Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools:
June 26, 6-8:30p online covering applications process and requirements. Register below:
SEMAC’s 2026-2027 Biennial Plan
The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) is developing its required 2026-27 Biennial Plan for the Minnesota State Arts Board, a strategic initiative that will guide arts funding and programming across 11 counties serving over 517,000 residents. This comprehensive plan, informed by feedback from more than 200 artists, arts professionals, and community members through a recent Needs Assessment Survey, outlines grant programs, community initiatives, and vital services. The plan aims to strengthen regional arts development through targeted leadership, expanded outreach, dedicated advocacy, and enhanced mentorship opportunities, with a focus on fostering diverse artistic expressions and ensuring equitable access to arts resources throughout southeastern Minnesota.
Click here to review the SEMAC Biennial Plan for FY2026-27.
SEMAC’s Public Input Meeting on the Biennial Plan
SEMAC hosted a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 18 from 6-8p, to review and discuss the draft plan. This forum ensured that community voices helped shape the future of arts funding and programming in southeastern Minnesota. The document was available on this page starting March 13, giving community members time to review before providing input at the Zoom meeting.
A recording of the meeting is now available for those who were unable to attend. You can also review a PDF of the presentation for reference.
The meeting recording (Zoom passcode f?KC6g$X) and PDF presentation can be accessed through the link below.
Questions? Call (507) 281-4848 or email staff@semac.org for assistance.
Changes to The Individual Artist Grant Application Process
Based on feedback from SEMAC’s recent Needs Assessment Survey, a Letter of Intent is no longer required for Individual Artist grant applications. Full applications for Individual Artists and Culture Bearers will open on December 28, 2024. The final grant submission deadline is January 28, 2025. Find more information about SEMAC Individual Artist Grants here.
Updates to Grant Eligibility
An update on the timing of grant projects. Proposals must be for projects scheduled to begin at least NINETY days after the Final Submission Deadline. This means no expenses may be incurred until after the Start Date selected by the applicant.
Recipients of Individual Artist Grants who are in good standing are eligible to reapply every fiscal year. Also, there are no longer major funder restrictions on Advancing Artists.
No matching funds will be required for Organizational Grants.
Misuse of SEMAC Funds
The Regional Arts Councils’ Misuse of Funds Procedure applies to all grants funded by the Minnesota Legislature and the Minnesota Legacy Amendment or Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
All Grantees are required to acknowledge that they reviewed the SEMAC Misuse of Funds Procedure when signing their contracts. Be advised that there are tiered consequences for misuse of funds based on the grant amounts and the Grantee’s actions.