Apply for an Arts Grant
Find current available grant opportunities, access application forms, and learn how to apply for our grants. You absolutely must reside in our service region in northwestern Minnesota. Our region covers the Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau. In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region.
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Our Grants
We offer 4 categories of arts grants: 1) Arts Grants for Governmental Entities and Non-Profits; 2) Arts Grants for Schools; 3) Arts Grants for Non-Profit Arts Organizations; and 4) Artist Grants for Individuals. See below for details.
For a printable version of the information below, click here.
Arts Grants for Governmental Entities & Non-Profit Organizations.
This is the category for arts projects that would benefit from $500 – $10,000 in grant funds. Non-profits and governmental entities are eligible to apply for these funds.
Main deadlines are July 31, October 31, and February 29.
Examples: a specific theatrical play or the sponsorship of a few folk artists to entertain at your festival. This grant is not intended for use by school districts. Artists offering workshops to community members. This is a main category to fund public art projects within communities such as murals and sculpture.
Cash Match: A 10% minimum cash match is required for all grant requests. If the project is to repeat sponsorship of an artist or group that has been sponsored with NWMAC funding in previous years then a 25% minimum cash match is required. A 25% cash match is required for larger projects as well.
Arts Grants have 3 application deadlines a year. Funds are slightly divided between these application deadlines.
Types of Grants for Governmental Entities and Non-Profits Organizations:
Regular July 31, Oct 31, Feb 29 deadlines
Arts Grants for Schools
ARTS EQUIPMENT FOR SCHOOLS
Supported by general allocation funds from the Minnesota state legislature, schools can apply to purchase artistic equipment for their visual art, performing art, media arts, or creative writing departments. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match. Deadline is October 31 each year that it is offered. Equipment that is used solely for the pursuit of arts like a kiln or theater lights, or a band instrument has a better chance of being funded.
Artist Residency in Schools. We offer arts grants for artist residencies in schools These grants are a maximum of $2,600 to sponsor an artist for a traditional week long residency. An extra $400.00 may be requested for residencies with supplies. Schools are strongly encouraged to use our teaching artist roster or use a roster artist from COMPAS.
Types of Grants for Schools
Artist Residency in Schools (up to $3,000)
Arts Equipment for Schools (up to $3,000) Oct 31 deadline
Arts Grants for Non-Profit Arts Organizations
General Operating Grants for non-profit arts organizations that are incorporated in our region are eligible for funding in this category.
General Operating for Non-Profit Arts Orgs (varies) Applications Open September 1
This is video #1 of 3 to help walk Nonprofit Arts Organizations through the application process.
This is video #2 of 3 to help walk Non-Profit Organizations through the grant writing process.
This is video #3 of 3 to help non-profit arts organizations complete the grant writing process.
Individual Artist Grants
This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists.
Individual Artist Grants provide financial assistance for the exhibition, performance, or production of a specific creative work, mentoring with a more experienced artist, participation in not-for-credit arts experiences.
To be eligible you must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age and reside in the 7 county NW Minnesota region. College tuition is not an eligible expense.
Individual Artist Grants for $5,000 have an annual deadline of September 30 and grants for $1,500 have a November 15 deadline. Four grants are awarded at each deadline. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Quick Turn Around Grants for Adult Artists
This grant has a primary purpose of helping artists secure a small amount of funds to attend a training or to purchase some equipment (that is used over and over again) that has proven essential to their professional advancement. We understand that opportunities come up quickly and this grant should help artists get quick access to funds. .
Grants are for up to $500. They are awarded on a first come, first served quarterly basis. Support for this program comes from the McKnight Foundation.
3 Types of Individual Artist Grants
Individual Artist Grants ($5,000) (4 awarded each year) Sept 30 deadline
Individual Artist Grants ($1,500) (4 awarded each year) Nov 15 deadline
Quick Turn Around Grants ( $500) first come, first served
This is video #1 of 3 that provides direction on how to apply for an Individual Artist Grant.
This is video #2 of 3 to help walk you through the grant writing process for an Artist Project Grant for Individuals.
This is video #3 of 3 videos to help walk you through the grant writing process for Artist Project Individuals Grants.
Need help applying?
See our video series of helpful tips on how to make your grant application a success.
Need to access grant forms?
Head to our Grant Forms Quick List to access the forms you need.
Have Questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of helpful tips
