2024 Awards

In FY2024, SEMAC awarded a total of $1,029,125, including 38 individual artist grants and 143 organizational grants, listed here by county.

Dodge County

Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Bridge Over Troubled Water in Kasson.
Mantorville Art Guild received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Facilities & Maintenance, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Youth Summer Art Camp 2024.
Mantorville Economic Development Authority received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Larger Than Life Art Exhibit 2024.
Mantorville Theatre Company received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $4,325 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for All-student theatre production.

Fillmore County

Catherine Glynn received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for A.R.T Year 8: There is a Field.
Chatfield Brass Band received a $4,755 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Chatfield “Music in the Park” Concerts.
Chatfield Center for the Arts received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Chosen Bean Concert Series, Fall24-Spr25.
City of Whalan received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Music in the Bluffs.
Dreamery Rural Arts Initiative received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Flourish Summer Camp.
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center received a $5,000 Legacy grant for Stringwood Chamber Music on the Hill.
Fillmore Central Schools received a $3,000 School Residency Grant for Big Band Bash.
Friends of Peterson received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Gammel Dag Fest – A Midsummer Festival.
History Alive Lanesboro received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Time for Women!
Lanesboro Arts received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Rural Arts Production Training Program.
Lanesboro Community Theater received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Summer Production of musical Oliver!
Peterson Committee for the Arts received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for The Arts Blossom in Peterson.
Root River Current received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Art and Artists: Storytelling in SE MN.
Toot and Whistle received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Music from Steam 2024.
Wits’ End Theatre received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for The SpongeBob Musical.

Freeborn County

Susanne Crane, Albert Lea, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Low Hanging Fruit Poetry Book.
Elisha Marin received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Album Production.
Albert Lea Community Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Albert Lea Community Theater received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Children’s Theater Camp.
Freeborn County Arts Initiative received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Arts Initiative Programming Support and a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Facilities & Maintenance.
Friends of the Bohemian Brick Hall received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for String Quartet Luncheon.

Goodhue County

Dawn Zero Erickson received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Threads that Bind.
Catherine Friend received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for A Young Adult Novel Inspired by History.
Brian Johnson, Cannon Falls, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for 4 Part Concert Series (so it goes).
Jeff McDowell received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Tower View Students Ceramic Experience.
Anderson Center at Tower View received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Minnesota Children’s Book Festival.
The Artist Sanctuary received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Bells of the Bluffs Handbell Ensemble received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Cannon Arts Board received a $3,270 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Cannon Arts Board Programs.
Minnesota State Fiddlers Association received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Fiddle Showcase.
Pine Area People for the Arts received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Gooseberry Jam.
Red Wing Arts received a $2,500 Arts Management Training Grant for Cultural Competency Training, a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 18th Annual Red Wing Arts Plein Air, and a $500 Opportunity Grant for Storytelling Embroidery Kits.
Sheldon Theatre Brass Band received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Spring and Fall Concert Series.
Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Community Performance Residencies 2024.
Universal Music Center received a $9,990 Legacy grant for Community Outreach Expansion.
Zumbrota Area Arts Council received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for 2024 Summer Music in Zumbrota East Park.
Zumbrota Community Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.

Houston County

Jacqueline VanRavenhorst received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Free Branding Photography for Artists.
Melissa Wray, Caledonia, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Homecoming: A Poetry & Quilt Project.
International Owl Center received a $4,520 Legacy grant for 2024 Children’s Int’l Owl Art Contest.
Lanesboro Barn Dance received a $4,800 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for 2024 Lanesboro Barn Dance Series.
Mainspring received a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Mainspring Arts Education.
Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association received a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Administrative Expenses, a $10,000 Legacy Grant for August 2024 Bluegrass Music Festival, and a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for May 2024 Bluegrass Music Festival.
Ye Olde Opera House received a $300 Arts Management Training Grant for ETC Ion XE Console Training, a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Facilities & Maintenance, and a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Theatrical Sound Amplification in a Barn.

Mower County

Austin Area Arts received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Emerging Artists at ArtWorks Festival.
Austin Culture & Arts Commission received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Exploring Belonging Through Theater.
Austin Public Library received a $2,500 Legacy Grant for Skateboard Art 2024.
Austin Public Schools received a $3,000 School Residency Grant for A Trombone is a Paper Clip?
Austin Symphony Orchestra received a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Celebrating our 2024-2025 Season.
MacPhail Center for Music – Austin received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for All Ages and Abilities Music Programming.
Summerset Community Theatre received a $10,000 Legacy grant for A Bright Tomorrow – Season 56.
Welcome Center received a $2,300 Legacy grant for Taste of Nations Austin MN.

Olmsted County

Oliver Books received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Rochester Musician Collaboration Album.
Kevin Dobbe, Rochester, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for New media opera Phase 2 development.
Nicole Havekost received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Stitching Soft Sculpture.
David Kassler received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Music for Pictures at An Exhibition.
Mary Beth Magyar received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Textile Art: a multicultural tapestry.
Marie Maher received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Journaling the Senior Experience.
Judy Onofrio received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Deep Dive.
Maggie Panetta received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Eastside Neighborhood Mural Project.
John Sievers received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Jazz composition, recording, performance.
Richard Swanson, Rochester, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Photo Essay: Anti-Intellectualism in MN.
Tianyao Xie, Rochester, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Classical Piano & Chinese Art Music.
Alexis Zaccariello, Rochester, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Experimenting with Raku Fired Pottery.
Calliope Theatre Company received a $5,000 Programming grant for Once: The Musical.
Children’s Dance Theatre received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries and a $5,000 Programming grant for Promenade a Paris: Colette and the Enchanted Museum.
Gallery 24 Artists Collaborative received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Administrative Expenses and a $10,000 Legacy grant for Spring and Summer Classes.
Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Public Arts – Statues for Equality.
John Marshall Band Boosters received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Instrument Access for all Band Students.
John Marshall High School received a $5,000 Legacy grant for JM: Piecing Together OUR Legacy.
Med City Arts Festival received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Multicultural Stage Programming, a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Educational Project-MCAF, and a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Administrative Expenses.
Music Lessons for All received a $3,735 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Sponsoring 3 Students and Showcase.
Resounding Voices received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Dementia-Friendly Community Chorus.
Rochester Area Handbells received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Rochester Art Center received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Native American Exhibition & Programs.
Rochester Chamber Music Society received a $5,000 Programming grant for Rochester Chamber Music Society Concerts, and a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Rochester Civic Music received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2024 Passport Sessions.
Rochester Civic Theatre Company received a $5,000 Programming grant for Production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Rochester Community Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Rochester International Film Group received a $5,000 Programming grant for 27th Rochester International Film Fest.
Rochester Male Chorus received a $5,000 Programming grant for Spring Tour 2024, and a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Rochester New Music Ensemble received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for RNME Inaugural Concert.
Rochester Pops Orchestra received a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Equipment & Technology, and a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Ten Year Anniversary Celebration.
Rochester Repertory Theatre Company received a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Staffing & Salaries, a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Royalties & Stipends for 2024-25 Season, and a $3,650 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Reaching New Audiences: Accessibility.
Rochester Symphony received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Concerts for 4th Grade Students.
Shorewood Senior Campus received a $5,000 Legacy grant for Seniors Engage in World Art.
Sing Out Loud received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Youth Choral Arts Accessibility Program.
Somali American Social Service Association received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Annual Somali Cultural Festival.
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Youth Orchestra Coaching.
Zumbro Valley Chorus (Sweet Adelines) received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Administrative Expenses.

Rice County

Stephanie Cox received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Comic book about Zulu-S. MN connection.
Arlo Cristofaro received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Gate by the Garden: An Ecosystem of Song.
Gao Hong received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for New Composition for Pipa and Cello.
Daniel Kallman received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Nerstrand Community Celebration Song.
Martha Larson received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Explorations in Music and Movement.
J C Sanford, Northfield, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for First Annual Northfield Jazz Festival.
Sandra Sargent, Faribault, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Recentering, Revisioning, Returning.
Ameriikan Poijat Finnish Brass Band received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Administrative Expenses, and an $8,940 Legacy Grant for Touring Towns with Finnish Heritage.
Bridge Chamber Music Festival received a $9,650 Legacy grant for Chamber Music Festival 2024, and a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Faribault Community Education received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Our Youth, Our Future.
Faribault Parks & Recreation received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Faribault Concerts in the Park Series.
FiftyNorth received a $4,810 Legacy Grant for Music Programming for Older Adults.
Healthy Community Initiative received a $5,000 Legacy grant for Art Access for All.
I Cantanti Chamber Choirs received a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Underrepresented Composer Commission.
International Cello Institute received a $10,000 Legacy grant for CelloCentric Community Connections 2024.
Northfield Public Library received a $5,000 Legacy grant for Library Oasis Mural, and a $5,000 Legacy grant for Summer Concert Series.
Northfield Public Schools received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for ArtVentures.
Northfield Union of Youth received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for ArTRUST – Building trust through art.
Paradise Center for the Arts received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Marquee Childrens Theatre Season 2024, and a $500 Opportunity Grant for Access Specialist.
South Central Minnesota Studio ArTour received a $5,000 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Studio ARTour 2024.
Vintage Band Festival received a $10,000 Legacy grant for July Festival 2024.

Steele County

Andi Lynn Arnold, Owatonna, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for In the Garden of Life, Light & Growth.
Owatonna Arts Center received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Owatonna Symphony Orchestra received a $4,975 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for Classics for Kids of All Ages.

Wabasha County

Lake City Area Arts received a $4,850 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for Lake City Music Showcase.
Plainview-Elgin-Millville Community Schools received a $1,285 School Residency Grant for Dance Intensive.
Widespot Performing Ars Center received a $10,000 Legacy grant for 2024 Wabasha Community Cultural Project.

Winona County

Timothy Ahrens, Altura, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Farming for Food.
Lisa Becker, Saint Charles, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Merging Video Arts with Photography.
Lindsay Krage received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Quilting the Minnesota Barn Quilt Trail.
Ken McCullough, Winona, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Michael Munson, Winona, received a $5,000 Advancing Artist Grant for Perihelion Day.
Sunny Nahrgang, Winona, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Continuing Art After Schooling.
Rachael Nunemacher, Saint Charles, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Flash Flood.
Taliesin Nyala, Winona, received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Handmade Wooden Dedication Gifts.
Jamie Schwaba received a $3,000 Emerging Artist Grant for Driftless Past and Present.
Bluff Country Studio Art Tour received a $5,000 Programming grant for Bluff Country Studio Art Tour 2024.
Engage Winona received a $5,000 Legacy grant for Creative Community Leadership.
Frozen River Film Festival received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for The 20th Frozen River Film Festival.
Great River Shakespeare Festival received a $10,000 Legacy grant for Summer Shakespeare Classes for Kids.
Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Dwelling Print Portfolio Exchange.
Mid West Music Fest received a $10,000 Legacy grant for 2024 Winona Festival Expenses, and a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Administrative Expenses.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Mississippi Sippin Summer Concert Series.
Project FINE received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Cultural Arts & Ancestry.
River Arts Alliance received a $5,000 General Operating Support Grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $4,470 Programming Grant for Arts Organizations for River Arts Alliance Juried Exhibition.
Saint Charles Public Schools received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas Grant for 2024 St. Charles Fall Musical.
Sandbar Storytelling Festival received a $10,000 Legacy Grant for 2024 Festival Expenses.
Theatre du Mississippi received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Facilities & Maintenance, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Playwriting Contest & Original One Acts.
Upper Mississippi Jazz Society received a $5,000 Programming grant for Dixieland Jazz Festival.
Winona Arts Center received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries.
Winona Dakota Unity Alliance received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for 2024 Winona-Dakota Gathering.
Winona Parks & Recreation received a $5,000 Legacy Grant for Campfire Concert Series 2024.
Winona Symphony Orchestra received a $5,000 General Operating Support grant for Staffing & Salaries, and a $10,000 Legacy Grant for Music in the Schools program.