Skip to main content

Updates

SEMAC Grant Programs:

SEMAC Individual Artist & Culture Bearers Project Support Grant
Application Window Opens: on or before December 15, 2025 | Deadline: January 19, 2026

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:

  • Stay tuned for the next Individual Artists & Culture Bearers grant writing workshop!

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:

Learn More/Apply
(closed)

SEMAC Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools Grants
Application Window 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 at least 1 full day but not more than four weeks
  • 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

Application Timeline:

  • Applications submitted by August 1: Notification in mid-September
  • Applications submitted by October 1: Notification by end of November
  • Applications submitted by December 1: Notification in mid-January
Learn More/Apply

Rural Arts Grants Postponed to 2027

These project grants are designed to bring meaningful arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota with populations below 7,500. When the program returns, it will continue to support projects across all artistic disciplines, including painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts.

Program Overview

Award amount: $3,000 to $6,000
Purpose: To bring arts experiences into the smallest rural communities in southeastern Minnesota with populations below 7,500.
Eligibility: Individual artists or culture bearers living in the 11-county SEMAC region, nonprofit arts organizations, non-arts organizations, or government entities in the rural community where the project will take place.
Key Requirements: Proposed projects must include a collaboration with a local community partner (nonprofit organization, library, government department or agency, tribal entity, etc.), opportunities for active community engagement, and an accessible public event.

Prepare for 2027

While we wait for the program to return, artists and community leaders interested in this grant opportunity are encouraged to explore these valuable resources for inspiration and planning:

We look forward to supporting rural arts projects when this program reopens in 2027. Please check back for updated application deadlines and program details as we get closer to that date.

SEMAC’s 2026-2027 Biennial Plan

Every two years, the regional arts councils, including the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC), are required by the Minnesota State Arts Board to develop a Biennial Plan to guide arts funding and programming across the state.  SEMAC’s comprehensive plan to serve the more than 517,000 residents in our 11-county region was informed by feedback from over 200 artists, arts professionals, and community members through a Needs Assessment Survey.  The Plan outlines grant programs, community initiatives, and vital services SEMAC will offer to strengthen regional arts development through targeted leadership, expanded outreach, dedicated advocacy, and enhanced mentorship opportunities. The Plan aims to ensure equitable access to arts resources while fostering diverse artistic and cultural expression throughout southeastern Minnesota.

View SEMAC’s Biennial Plan for FY2026-27:

SEMAC Biennial Plan

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.

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.